ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area "press on" plates

Dont know, dont care, as long as its UL listed.

Besides I dont think one would be undoing the connection that often.

[This message has been edited by ITO (edited 03-07-2007).]

The "snap-on" plates have been around for YEARS.

They are pretty much the standard in other countries that use American style and size devices. Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Thailand....etc.

Even in South Korea, where round-pin European sockets are the norm, the switches and sockets are designed to fit in American-size boxes.

The only problem is sometimes they don't stand up very well to being removed and reused -- the little pastic "snaps" snap right off. Depends on the age and the plastic used, I guess.

We've had them here in NZ for about the last 10 years, you can get them in plain white or all sorts of "designer" colours, even "faux gold" if that takes your fancy.
Here's a plain white RCD fitting without and with the cover plate:

Mike, do Aussie flush-mount devices fit British boxes or the American-type 2" x 4" box?


[This message has been edited by SvenNYC (edited 03-09-2007).]

Sven,

Actually as far as I know, niether.
The standard flushbox here has a "between centres" distance of 188mm, between the mounting screw threads:

Here is a closeup of the sockets on my bench. Six duplex-types, installed on American surface-mount boxes.
https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b210/stephanienyc/MVC-001F.jpg?t=1173491173

They're made in Korea and come in two parts that are sold separately: the socket itself, and the plate kit (which consists of a bracket that screws onto the socket and then the finishing bezel that snaps onto that).

I bought six of these when I was visiting a friend there two years ago...and later I asked her to buy me 10 more.

This is what a socket looks like when you buy it at the store:
https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b210/stephanienyc/MVC-004F.jpg

First you wire and install the socket in the box (6-32 screws not included). Then you screw on the plastic ring in the middle. Then you snap on the plate, which is on the left. Little tabs in the back of the plate hook into those six rectangular holes along the sides of the ring.

If one of the mods can put the pix on ECN's server, that would probably make things easier. And yes, yes. The installation method does look a little sketchy.

Not using a cable between the boxes?

No. None of this is "up to code" for sure.

I could technically have used bits of Romex (the sockets are all back-stab types so you need solid wire), but the stuff is hard to find in New York (since code requires BX)....and when you do, you have to buy complete rolls of it. So I opted for using lengths of THHN #12 solid.

If you really wanna ream me, the cables feeding each row of three is #14 flex. Yup...just basic extension cord terminated to plugs that go to a wall socket behind the bureau.

I figured, it's a workbench and I'm the only one who uses it....and even so, it's still a step up over the #18 gauge zip cord with chintzy surface-mount recepts that I had originally.

I might re-do things in a few years, if I manage to get some good condition Romex leftovers somewhere.

[This message has been edited by SvenNYC (edited 03-10-2007).]

Back in March 2006, [edit; exactly 1 year to the day!], I posted some info on French LeGrande "Mosaic" recept.s with press on plates -
https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/Forum5/HTML/001168.html

Alan



[This message has been edited by Alan Belson (edited 03-10-2007).]

Sven, I can send you a few feet of Romex if you want. I save stuff like that
Email me an address gfretwell@aol.com

[This message has been edited by gfretwell (edited 03-10-2007).]