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I feel like I’ve been taking a crash course in home renovations. There’s always more to learn. This week, Renaldo and his assistants are hard at work on doing the finish electrical work. And so, I learned yesterday that the 2008 National Electrical Code, which Massachusetts has adopted as law, requires that new residential outlets be “tamper resistant.”

lev-TDR15-GY

Being the nerd that I am, I of course had to read Leviton’s marketing materials about what these plugs are and how they work. Basically, they’re mandated by the 2008 NEC because they reduce the risk of electrocution to children. There’s some kind of internal blocking of the receptacle that’s only released by the insertion of two prongs simultaneously – meaning that a kid can’t jam a pin or coat hanger in and get electrocuted. That’s a good thing, but Leviton’s guilt-inducing marketing materials (PDF) don’t make it any easier to swallow:

Q.Will the new TR receptacles cost more than standard residential receptacles?

A. There will be an increase in cost per product, but it is negligible compared to the value of protecting children and reducing injuries due to electrical shock.

More adventures in home renovations!

2 Comments

    • Josh
    • Posted October 26, 2009 at 2:24 am
    • Permalink

    Zap!

  1. it’s nice that they have children’s best interest at heart while they increase the price! i’m glad they totally make you feel guilty about buying it! did they not mention anything about outlet covers (although i also heard that outlet covers aren’t that effective.) damn kids.


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