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Rigid outlets for Heavy cables

Many fans of high end power cables end up with very heavy cables plugged into very tight outlets in less than new outlet boxes. Whatever your choices in outlets and cables are you may find that you already have loose or recessed outlet problem, or are worried about the tabs on the outlet and drywall not lasting for many insertion cycles.

If you’ve ever replaced an old outlet with a fresh hospital grade outlet and felt it get mushy or make crackling sounds (from the drywall breaking) when you tried to insert your fresh cable you know what I’m talking about, or if you have some outlets which are proud of the face and some which are recessed this post is for you.

Hubbell makes a wall plate called Flush-Fit ($8 for 3)which is available from Amazon or Lowe’s (probably others).

I also use these little plastic screw spacers in some situations, where the metal plates won’t fit or for plain old light switches and outlets where I’m not expecting heavy duty use or where I have multiple outlets / switches in a single box. They are surprisingly effective and available at almost any hardware store.

I’ve used both while re-doing all the outlets and switches in and out of my home. I can recommend them from personal experience. Also, they make your outlets and switches look fresh because of the clean flush-fit result.

erik_squires
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erik_squires OP
15,714 posts
 

I hope readers understand that I’m talking about reducing the motion of the outlet relative to the outlet box, not discussing improving the grip strength of any particular outlet. 😅

It seems some of you feel I have impugned the honor of your brand of outlet or AC cable and I worry I didn’t properly communicate that even the best outlets use metal tabs at the end to secure them against the drywall.  If that drywall is worn, damaged or missing then the outlet will move in the wall/outlet box and feel spongy. 

The higher the insertion force of your outlet and plug and or the heavier the cables are, the more it wears down the drywall each insert/removal cycle.  For those of us with older (i.e. not new) homes this can be a real issue all around the house and fancy outlets with tight grips make things worse.

The two accessories I recommended are just ways of supporting the drywall in one way or another to give the utmost confidence even to an old outlet box, anywhere in your home.

If you are still offended, we duel at dawn!

mitch2
3,691 posts
 

Nice work Eric! I have used them and they work well.

Now find me a simple plastic outlet cover with a cradle to support heavy power cords, that doesn’t cost a stupid $100, like this one or this one.

anotherbob's avatar
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anotherbob
331 posts
 

Thanks Eric, never knew these existed, ordering some soon!

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benanders
213 posts
 


@erik_squires thanks, good item to bird dog! But for now I’ll just stick with my springy, slightly detached double socket, telling myself it imparts the same suite of benefits the Townshend socket isolator that hasn’t been invented would impart on my sonics

( 😆 ).

 

@mitch2 well at least Sonore is upfront about the origins of their plates so any buyer considering them can rationalize the price just reflects a 100% tax for avoiding purchase of a small personal 3D printer

( 😉 ).

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