Unsafe At Any Speed

[farmersammm]

Remember Ralph Nader?

I had to finally get around to replacing the burnt receptacles, and plugs, on the 240v heater feed drop.

I'd venture that they had a lot of resistance, and caused the heat. About 20yrs old, and always outdoors.

Anyways, I had some CRAPPY CHINESE PLUGS IN THE BIN. Bought them at Lowes some time back, mainly because they didn't have any Leviton plugs.



Great design







They're a little bit better with 10ga, but not much.



Whether their designed over there, or over here.......................THEY SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't buy 'em if you come across them. They're the ones that close on a hook, and have 2 nuts that secure the case. I'll use them for a while, until I get to the electric place, and get some decent Leviton's. PURE GARBAGE

I suppose a guy could run the ground around, and sorta under, the hots................But I'll be damned if I'm going to run anything next to a hot that's gonna rub on it, or even contact it.......what with the sharp edges on the lug fasteners.

[MinnesotaDave]

I've used that same plug a couple times....what a stupid design...

I sat and pondered a better way to do it as well, then just shrugged and knew I'd replace it eventually...junk.

[Capt B]

Funny coincidence! I just wired one of these yesterday and was cussing about the same thing. I think I got mine from Lowes a while back. I normally get the Leviton as well but they didn't have them either.

[ronsii]

You think that's bad Sammm... here's a pic off the etrailer.com website showing how to wire a plug

[Keith Merrell]

Haha, yep I was working with one today to set my lincoln 305g to power the well pump at the house. Like you said it's a bad design. Went to HD and they didn't have Leviton, went to the supply house and they wanted $37!!! So I went with the Chinesium

[ccawgc]

I put a small strip of nomex paper around the ground wire. It is a lot tougher than the wire insulation.

[farmersammm]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who'd experienced disappointment with these. I thought maybe I was missing something..............I am no electrician.

[whtbaron]

I run large gauge extensions outside for my grain bin fans in the fall and they occasionally get rained on. Oddly enough I've seen both designs as well, but I can't say I've noticed any difference in life expectancy. The poles always corrode and burn before rubbing through the insulation becomes an issue. I'm not saying I like the design, but for the price difference Leviton needs to get back in the game... they are pricing themselves out of the market.

[Reebz]

Ralph would be proud

[12345678910]

A little electrolytic grease, or even fluid film spray now might reduce your corrosion.

If it's outside, there are proper outdoor units.

[ccawgc]

You also could fill the inside of the plug with RTV.
Just can't reuse the plug later. Should make it near water proof.