ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Painting outlets neatly

"BTW, Rowan Atkinson allias Mr Bean, is a fully qualified electrical engineer."

I can just picture him at his drafting table or computer with a turkey on his head.

IMO, I don't think most paints would be detrimental to a receptacle but UL doesn't seem to like the idea..

In the last question on this page UL doesn't condone it but they don't flat out say it can't be done either.

Roger




[This message has been edited by Roger (edited 10-09-2006).]

Roger, I would take that as a NO....

Mark, I pretty much agree, but with no more of a solid statement as an answer to the question it wouldn't hold much weight.

The problem is that statemnt means it "MAY NOT" be compromised as well.

It would seem as though a "yes it would void the listing due to" or "no, it is not permissible to paint a receptacle per the listing blah, blah, blah," would be the solid statement needed to have any strength.

Roger


[This message has been edited by Roger (edited 10-09-2006).]

When UL says "May be", or it's twin "has not been evaluated"...that's just a fancy way of saying "we have no way of knowing.

Not all paint is alike. Nor are all receptacles. An oil / xylene based paint (such as "Rust-O-Leum") is more likely to attack a cheap plastic receptacle than a water-based latex. UL doesn't know what paints may be used, and does no tests of this sort.
Likewise, some paints have a lot of rubber solids; these probably provide decent insulation. Others have a fair amount of metal in them; I suspect that those just might conduct....

Sometimes "don't know" means nothing more, or less, than "don't know."