How TAMPER RESISTANT RECEPTACLES Work & Where They're Required By The National Electrical Code

Tamper Resistant receptacles can be a pain in the butt to plug things into, so many homeowners and business owners request that we don't put them in. But there is an important reason why they're required by the National Electrical Code. Let's break one open and see how it works, then talk about the NEC articles associated with them.

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#electrician #electrical #electricity

PRODUCTS USED IN VIDEO

Tamper Resistant Receptacles or TRR’s

· Article 406.12 of the 2020 NEC
· Finally being fully incorporated in 2008, these protective receptacles have been found in the NEC since the early 80’s,the code requiring “Tamper Proof” receptacles in all pediatric care facilities by 1981 and later psychiatric wards in 1984. The terminology switched to “Tamper Resistant” in 1990, the NEC dropping it’s requirements for psychiatric wards in 1993.

· TRRs are required for all 15- & 20-amp receptacles below 5ft 6 in (66”) in all areas children might find themselves wandering about, including residential buildings, childcare facilities, hotels, waiting rooms/ hallways of medical facilities, and most "assembly occupancies" (auditoriums, gyms, transportation waiting lobbies, skating rinks etc.) exception: appliance circuits that are not easily accessible (mircowave, fridge and others)

· How? Internal shutters on loaded springs block foreign objects from being inserted until an equal force is applied into both the hot and neutral terminals. If excessive force is needed, it usually means uneven pressure is being applied by the blades of the plug or there is a problem with the receptacle itself.

· Why? TRRs so far appear to be the most complete solution to childhood shock/electrocution caused by receptacles. The most common objects inserted into receptacles being hairpins, keys and paper clips. Outlet caps (the most common and affordable option) seem to provide very little protection. Studies prove that most children over two could remove caps, and the risk of babies putting the caps in their mouths outweighed the benefit of shock protection. In fact, plastic plug inserts are not approved by any of the major listing companies for child protection uses, only listed as insulating devices aimed at energy conservation.

· Price differs between TR and standard by only around 50 cents per plug, and as a standard middle-class home usually has less than 100 plugs, that’s only a $50 difference in material!

Stay safe out there folks! Love from the ATX

[dasthy]

Going to school to become an electrician and you help so much. Keep up the good work my man

[randallthomas]

When I was a toddler, I was into everything. As you said, just exploring the world and trying figure out how it all works. I snuck down to the barn, and was trying to get the cover of a receptacle to look inside. And got caught by a male member of the family. Who grabbed me by the hand and grabbed the lead to the electric fence. After an eternity, they let me go and told me that was what was in there, but the ReddiKillowatts in there were bigger and meaner, so I shouldn’t mess with those things.

I’ve never forgotten that lesson, and still think of it anytime I work around wiring. It took me years to get tot he point I was even a little bit comfortable working in a panel.

[TheSeanUhTron]

The huge flaw with TR receptacles is that most homes have power strips all over the place; And nearly all of those do not have TR protection.

[ShakespeareCafe]

Gotta protect the kids. They do the darnedest things. Very good explanation rooted in a rational basis. My tenant was miffed at these TRs and I tried to explain it to her that they are not broken.

[edrose]

We've had "tamper resistant" receptacles in the UK since the 50s. Even extension leads must have covers over the L/N pins that only get opened when the earth pin (which is longer) is inserted into its hole.

[BrayanCCG]

Great work as always Dustin, I started my apprenticeship a week ago and your videos and content are one of the best thing that we, the new guys could have, please keep doing this :) we appreciate it a lot, God Bless you

[chattfiremike]

I’m a aspiring electrician as well. Working part time. Love the content. Extremely helpful! Many thanks sir!

[michellebella]

I'm just a homeowner wanting to do updates and learning a LOT about electrical. Darn, it's so interesting and I probably have loads of dumb questions. One of them is this - if TR receptacles are required then why can I go out today and buy non-TR receptacles? And also, if it's required in commercial settings as well, why does it seem harder to find those in TR? I see some other vids out there touting commercial receptacles over residential and all the ones in their videos are not TR so I'm pretty confused.

[Einzee]

I am 47. My dad told me a story of a time when I put something into a recept and got hooked up. He said that I screamed and was locked on. He knocked me away and all was good. Some would call that a near I see it as my intro into being an electrician! 21 yrs exp and still getting bit every once in a while.

[raymond]

Information is key. I know someone will learn and try to be more cautious from you being so informative, keep up the good work Electricia U

[thefuturegamer]

With the difficulty of plugging in devices to tamper resistant receptacles using Leviton ones in my home I can’t say I’ve had any issues plugging in anything, I’ve noticed it being difficult with ones that are manufactured way cheaper

[sz]

Hey just wondering if you could do a full service calculation on a 2 or 3 story house. Just to show us what electricians do before wiring up a house...

[jkbrown]

I was in the bobbie pin group back in the '60s. Have memories that I did it at least twice. Loud pop, black mark up the wall, lots of yelling. Later by 9 or 10 it was my job to reset breakers and such as the "man" in the house. This required climbing on top of the dryer in front of the panel in an outside utility room. Much later, I learned that sitting or leaning across grounded metal while in an electrical panel is not good safety practice. But no internet back then, just old men who had survived far more dangerous things in their childhood.

[DyMzup]

Just started my apprenticeship... i appreciate your content.. keep it coming big dog.. love the channel

[miguelajguerramg]

Dustin, I don’t recall you talking about this topic in your previous videos, but I would like to hear how you would price/estimate a job. As small as adding receptacles/light fixtures to an existing household. Love your videos man keep it up !

[ahmadzahran]

Do I still need to use TR receptacle if the breaker is arc fault ?

[williamfriar]

I use a hydraulic press to plug things into my TR outlets. Works like a charm.

[rayhanquesada]

22 years old now but I remember getting lit up when I was 10. I took a piece of metal off the bearings of my skateboard and stuck it in an outlet . I learned my lesson, kids now a days will never know

[declanfarber]

It wouldn’t be such a big deal if the manufacturers made tamper-resistant receptacles that were transparently useable. Eaton seems to have figured this out.

[jonathanfurtado]

When I was a kid, I was the other 20%.
I stuck a curtain rod hanger into the receptacle and I cut the court of a lamp a second time being shocked. so the tamper resistant wouldn't save me.