[garmtn]

Hi, I never heard of this before. My daughter just moved into a condo and no matter what she plugs in, the plug falls out of the receptacle. The handyman suggested "spreading the prongs" on the plug. However, its ANYTHING she trys to plug in. Any ideas??

 

[Jackofall1]

Change the recepticle, sounds like its worn out

Mark

 

[SD515]

Change the receptacle.

 

[DannyT]

had an apartment in ca that had the same thing. i finally changed 2 of the receptacles cause i got tired of the computer going off when the plug fell out.

 

[secutanudu]

If you can't get the landlord to change the receptacles, you can use these. I think they screw on in place of the outlet cover plate, so it won't fall out.

 

[rbj]

Hi, I never heard of this before. My daughter just moved into a condo and no matter what she plugs in, the plug falls out of the receptacle. The handyman suggested "spreading the prongs" on the plug. However, its ANYTHING she trys to plug in. Any ideas??

Change to a commercial grade receptacle for higher retention. The contractor probably used .48 cent receptacles to save on the project.

 

[bobelectric]

I dunno. What is it she is plugging in?The same sweeper? I find this to be "operator error"

 

[kbsparky]

El-cheap-o receptacles. Slater is probably the worst offender in this regard.

"Spreading the prongs" on the plug is not a viable solution to this problem. You need to have all the devices replaced.

 

[DangerMouse]

"plug falls out of "ALL" RECEPTACLES??"
Does this mean that in any outlet in the condo, plugs just fall out? Anything that gets plugged into ANY outlet? If it's just one place, replace the outlet with proper type, (I.E. 20amp GFCI next to kitchen sink, etc.) If it's every outlet in the condo, please let us know, because that's a whole different story.

Andrew: Don't people own condos? Hence no landlord? (Although I like your idea if it WAS a lazy landlord! )

DM

 

[garmtn]

receptacles don't hold plugs

Thanks for all the feedback. The condo she is in is a "rental". So I'll pass on the popular opinion.:thumbsup:

 

[DangerMouse]

You're welcome, but you did not answer my question.

DM

 

[Speedy Petey]

Thanks for all the feedback. The condo she is in is a "rental". So I'll pass on the popular opinion.:thumbsup:

I don't think anyone is saying she should replace them, have the LL do it. This can be a potentially unsafe condition.

 

[DangerMouse]

If it is indeed ALL of the outlets, I'd guess she's in another country trying to use things without adapters?

DM

 

[garmtn]

plugs fall out of receptacles

Hi Dangermouse, My daughter just graduated Towson Univ. and just moved into this condo/rental, in Baltimore. From what I gather, every single receptacle she has tried to plug something in, it just falls out. I'll pass on your suggestion, the "LL" replace outlets.:thumbsup:

 

[secutanudu]

Andrew: Don't people own condos? Hence no landlord? (Although I like your idea if it WAS a lazy landlord! )

Not sure why I read it as being an apartment, but if there's no landlord involved I'd most certainly change out the outlets.

Duh, and I just read further and turns out there is a landlord.

 

[DangerMouse]

Hmmmm, that IS odd. Perhaps the last (disgruntled) tenant went around with a flathead screwdriver and jammed it in each of them to screw them up? Wouldn't be the first time. I'd check with the LL first, but if there's no co-operation, I'd consider Andrew's suggestion. Spread the prongs, screw it on and test it.

DM

 

[DangerMouse]

Of course, it could be they're just really, really old outlets on K+T wiring too!
I wonder if they're 3 prong?

DM

 

[jbfan]

I rented a condo by the beach one time that was built just as ground wires were required.
Most of those receptacles would not hold the plugs, so they be worn out!

 

[AllanJ]

The prongs of some power plugs are made of two thin layers of metal as opposed to one thick strip of metal. It is possible to jam a knife blade between the two layers and separate them a little. (careful, easy for the knife blade to slip and cut you._)

This will usually allow a loose plug to stay in the receptacle but that plug may cause damage to other receptacles that are not loose to start with.