...phenolic or melamine (stiff plastic) device plates without cracking them around the screw-holes?

I've cracked so many over the years because I always tighten the screw a bit _too_ much.

I favor metal plates because you can securely tighten them and don't have to worry about them working loose from hard use. I've got this thing against screws working loose...

Not to mention that with a tin wall plate you don't have to worry about jerks who slam furniture against the wall and shatter the plate. My kid bro did that once...slammed his bed against the wall socket (with a bakelite wall plate) and broke half the plate in two - half of it fell behind the bed.

I can't believe he was using it in that state...and never electrocuted himself!

[This message has been edited by SvenNYC (edited 05-22-2003).]

Sven,

Switch to the nylon plates from P&S. You can just about fold them in half without breaking. They are slightly oversized too.

Just go easy on the screw. Thats the trick. As for having a "thing about screws working loose" I can't help you with that but I bet theres a support group somewhere.

It's a "feel" thing... I've cracked many plates trying to get my wrist tuned to the torque limit...

Jimmy has only cracked one plate in the 6 months he's worked. I'm impressed!

Those nylon things are so ugly, all dimpled and shiny... Ugh. I've even replaced the stock GFCI plates with "hard" decoras when in nicer homes.

Make sure the device isn't sunk into the wall a little bit. That will put more pressure on the plate and snap it before you think it's on enough. Even though the yoke may be flush on the sheet rock, it can flex in a bit, and the added distance (especially on receptacles) will mess things up.

Tight'em till they crack, back'em off a half!.......

A devices proper fit in a wallbox portuding from a wall plate ( by code) will allow for a clean plate install.

Thanks guys!

I'm noticing that the new generation of stiff plastic plates for standard double-sockets have a thick rib around the screw holes...

I've used the nylon ones. Yes, they don't crack but the soft plastic makes me worry about the thing flexing on the edges - they seem so chintzy. Maybe I worry too much....

What came on the market first, brass and tin plates or plastic plates? Or was it about the same?