Picked commercial grade outlets over cheap ones for a whole house rewire...

Last month I had to decide between the $0.80 outlets at the big box store or the $3.50 spec grade ones for a client's 1950s house. I went with the good ones because the old wiring was a mess and I didnt want callbacks. Took me an extra 2 days to make sure every box fit right since the spec grade are thicker, but now the switches feel solid and the homeowner actually noticed the difference. Has anyone else had a job where the cheap stuff just wasnt worth the headache?

2 comments

2 Comments

tarac1612d ago

Those cheap outlets from the big box store, they're usually rated for 15 amps total, but spec grade ones handle 20 amps continuous. That space heater meltdown you had, that's exactly why I tell my clients to spring for the better stuff. The difference is in the internal contacts - cheap ones use thinner brass that can loosen up over time and create resistance, which generates heat. I've pulled apart a few melted cheap outlets and the internal connections were literally black and pitted. Spec grade use thicker metal and have better holding force on the plug blades, so they don't wear out as fast. Your buddy's garage might have been saved if you'd used those, but now you know for next time.

fiona33012d ago

ngl I used to be one of those people who thought "an outlet is an outlet" and the cheap ones were just fine. But then I did a favor for a buddy and put in some bargain bin ones in his garage, and within like 8 months one of them literally melted from a space heater. never again. Your line about "the cheap stuff just wasnt worth the headache" hit hard because I had to redo that whole job for free and learned my lesson real quick. the extra couple bucks and time is nothing compared to having to rip out drywall later.