4-prong outlet exposed?

futura · 03-14-2008, 08:24 PM

Hi, I have an outlet plug in that has 4 plugins for electrical power cords and the cut it around it is too large to put a switch plate cover, it always scares me and seems dangerous without one> wht can I do to fix this?
thanks.

220/221 · 03-15-2008, 12:00 AM

Remove the cover, patch the plaster/drywall around it and re install the cover seems to be the logical choice.

You MAY be able to find and oversized cover plate.

futura · 03-15-2008, 12:27 AM

thanks, but there is no cover the outlet thing just hangs out on the wires unless i push it in (not touching the metal).. eek!

micromind · 03-15-2008, 12:34 AM

If this is 2 duplex recptacles installed side-by-side in the same box, you might be able to use a larger cover plate.

Cover plates come in 3 sizes, standard, intermediate, and jumbo. According to the Leviton (a manufacturer) book, a standard 2 gang (double duplex) plate measures 4.5" high, and 4.56" wide. The intermediate is 4.875" high, and 4.94" wide. The jumbo (it certainly earns its name lol) is 5.25" high, and 5.31" wide.

The intermediate plates look ok, if it will cover the gap, use that one. The jumbos look huge, sort of out-of-place, but it might be the best (least expensive) solution.

Rob

micromind · 03-15-2008, 12:47 AM

Sorry, I didn't see your last post until mine was up.

Are these recpacles in a box? If so, is it about 4"X4"? if so, does it have 4 "ears", each about a inch or so from the sides, protruding inward with small holes in them ? If so, this is where the ends of the recepacles screw in. then a cover plate goes over the whole thing.

If the 4"X4" box has 2 'ears' on opposite corners, (with small holes in them) you'll need an 'industrial cover', aka 'exposed work cover'. The recepacles mount to this cover (it's metal), and it screws to the 'ears' on opposite corners. The other way to mount recptacles to this type of box is to use a 'mud ring'. These come in a veriety of depths, from flat to 2" out. They screw onto the 'ears' of the box, and you screw the recpacles to holes in the ring. You'll need a cover plate to go over the whole thing as well.

Rob

220/221 · 03-15-2008, 01:22 PM

Picture please.