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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
pgaulke60
306 posts
 

@erik_squires 

OMG, I have been looking for ages to find something that brings the outlets forward from the box.  I have a bunch of add on outlets and poor do-it-yourself construction in this house that we recently purchased.  Often times the metal plates don’t do the trick because the drywall doesn’t fit close enough to the outlet box.

What I have been using to bring the outlet itself forward and fit flush with the outlet cover are the clear plastic mirror holders that used to be used in the 1970’s to hold unframed mirrors.  They don’t conduct any electric charge, but come in varying thickness. 

But these spaces your have identified are the bomb!  I order a pack and will start fixing all my funky outlets.

My power cables were really sagging in the outlets so I bit the bullet and bought the Shunyata cable cradles.  Yep, pricey, but I could not find anything that worked.  At least THAT problem is solved.

Thanks Erik

erik_squires OP
16,202 posts
 

@pgaulke60 You are welcome. If you find any back-stabbed outlets while you do you should probably replace them too.

 

Protip:  When you fold those plastic tabs you end up with one side open and the opposite closed.  Put the closed side up against the body of your outlet and the open towards the screw.  That way the plastic tabs and screws are held in place while you reinstall the outlet. Otherwise it feels like you need 4 hands.

winoguy17
1,138 posts
 

 Just ordered a pack. Thanks for the heads up.

erik_squires OP
16,202 posts
 

@mitch2 Oh, never saw those cable cradles before. A better option, IMHO is the 90 degree hospital grade plugs. They can be rotated to any angle, so pointing 45 down lets them avoid leveraging the plug out of the socket and leaves room for another below it.  They also save a lot of floor space.  I replaced the plug on my Furman voltage regulator and was able to snug up bass traps to the wall in front of the socket.

I have found that they do greatly increase the insertion force required due to the extra thick pins, hence the recommendation for outlet supports.  When I first tried inserting it I found the outlet, which I previously thought was fine, had too much play in it when I tried using it.

They don’t have to be babied to stay in. Not sure what the maximum cable thickness is though.

inagroove
123 posts
 

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the Tweek.

I began replacing my old outlets with new 'hospital grade' outlets last year. 

These plates look like a simple fix for recessed outlets, and the larger force-distribution effect is real bonus (fewer dry wall issues).  My order arrives tomorrow.

Bill

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