What is a "spec" receptacle.

>What is a "spec" receptacle.
Please provide the complete and exact quotation and context where you saw this.

I assume you mean "specification grade". These receptacles cost maybe $3-4.00, or more each as opposed to $.89, depending on where yoy buy them. They have a deeper body and don't have push-in holes, although some can be backwired via the side screws clamping down on a pressure pad.

Dspark: Hallway conversation. An friend said that I should make sure my electrician installs "spec" receptacles. When asked, he didn't know much other than that they were better than the "cheap" kind.

Is there some particular specification or standard (UL, IEEE, etc) that these must meet?

for that matter, what's a "spec-house" ?

Try one of our "Power Tools"

search for "Specification Grade Receptacles"

Look on the right side of each item for any available data sheets or product specifications.

https://www.electrical-contractor.net/Spec_Search.htm

BTW, the Spec Search is always available under the power Tools logo on the left of this BB.

Bill



[This message has been edited by Bill Addiss (edited 06-15-2001).]

Well it doesn't have any spec grade devices!

I've been told that the "spec" in spec house is short for speculation, rather than specification. Somewhere between a production home and a custom, these are built with the speculation that they can be sold for a bundle of $$ when completed.
(This may or may not be true, please don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger)

Spec house may mean different things in different regions of the country.

Here in rural Nebraska a spec house is low grade housing where everything is built to code minimum. They are easy and fast, no extras, no questions about custom options. Margins are very thin, not much profit but if you need the work they can be better than nothing.

GJ

specified or speculated by the beholder??



can i 'specify' any given receptacle on my rig?

A "spec" grade device is better quality. The internal parts are made of better material for example. Hospital Grade are made even better than Spec Grade. You can't go wrong with spec devices.

HMEL #688

Bill,

Thanks for the search link.

Most of the devices the search turned up met a number of specifications. Which one (or more) is implied by "spec grade?" Is it the "UL Federal Specification WC-596?"