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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5
J
jfw11 Offline OP
Junior Member
I recently replaced a 3 wire 30A dryer surface outlet (connected to 8-3 Alum, ugh!) with a 4 wire 30A outlet. I roughed in a 4" sq box and 1 gang plaster ring. The drywall was hung, taped and painted. I then tried to insert the outlet and found that it was slightly wider than the 1 gang opening. Is this common?

I had to adjust the width of the opening with linemans pliers and now the drywall needs some work.

Thanks

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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,056
R
Member
Next time install a 2-gang mud ring. 4 mounting holes on the receptacle will line up with the 4 holes.

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,116
Likes: 4
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jfw11,

Did that cable have a ground? (4 wires)

Bill


Bill
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5
J
jfw11 Offline OP
Junior Member
The old alum cable was 3 wire Red/Black/White in a nearly round sheath. The sheath had a bump (a half circle much smaller than the main circle) as seen in cross section.
I assume that meant something (like this is alum) because it appeared to have no functional purpose.

The new cable is NM-B 10-3 W/G. This my son's fixer-upper and I feel better with no alum wire in the place. Even the 200A service is copper in conduit/steam pipe.

thanks

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,116
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You lost me somewhere on the description of that cable but I'm glad to hear it was replaced.

On the Service I'm assuming you mean Galvanized Rigid Conduit (not 'steam pipe')

[Linked Image]
Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill Addiss (edited 08-13-2003).]


Bill
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,294
Member
Not to be toooo nit-picky, but the rings you describe are called switch rings.
Plaster rings are of the round (3-0) variety...S

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5
J
jfw11 Offline OP
Junior Member
I'm a humble software engineer so I might not have all the lingo, but...

Most catalogs seem to call them plaster rings, goggle finds lots of plaster ring references, but no switch ring references that refer to the box accessory (in the first 50 or so responses), and the term switch ring does not appear the NEC2005 draft, while plaster ring does in several places.

Thanks for the advice about 2-gang *** rings, that makes a lot of sense both from the outlet size and hand space.

thanks.

Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 47
G
GEO Offline
Member
JFW11
not trying to defend anyone , different areas have terms and i have been surprised what some call things. as far as switch NEVER have heard of this ,there is a tile and a plaster ring these get mixed up BUT would not even known why it could or would be called this ? some read the profile instead of the question. GEO

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 681
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We also call them plaster rings, but I believe the term manufacturers use is, 1/2 two gang raised roughing cover, and whatever size the ring may be (3/4, 5/8, etc...). There is not too much plastering going on anymore, except maybe at the ginmill.

Pierre


Pierre Belarge
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 178
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Member
We put in a 2-gang box as well and buy the 4x4 cover with proper hole size it covers all fits flush just like a reular receptical cover....Did I miss something here.

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