Frequently Asked Questions
The Frequently Asked Questions, or FAQs are listed questions and answers pertaining to the codes, product information and statistics of child-safety outlets. Click a link to find the answer to a question.
- How did the Code change come about?
- What does the new Code state?
- How will this Code change affect the industry?
- Where do most accidents happen?
- What types of objects are commonly inserted into receptacles?
- Who is at risk?
- How severe are the injuries?
- How do tamper-resistant receptacles work?
- Are tamper-resistant receptacles 100 percent tamper-proof?
- Would tamper-resistant receptacles protect against partial plug insertion?
- Is it harder to insert or remove a plug from a tamper-resistant receptacle?
- Where's the proof that tamper-resistant receptacles offer greater protection?
- Why are TR shutters required on GFCI's?
- Can I retrofit an older house with tamper-resistant receptacles?
- How do I identify tamper-resistant receptacles?
- Will my child's daycare have tamper resistant devices?
- How do I go about getting the devices in my home changed?
- Where can I go to learn more?
How did the Code change come about?
Answer: In North America, approximately 2,400 children receive emergency
room treatment every year for injuries caused by inserting objects
into electrical receptacles, according to U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC) and Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and
Prevention Program (CHIRPP) data. This equates to about seven children
each day. Injuries range from electric shock to first-, second- and
third-degree burns. And, although rare, some cases prove fatal.
In response to these statistics, the National Electrical Code® (NEC)
and the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) have been revised to require that all receptacles-or outlets-in new
residential constructions be tamper resistant. Child safety presents
a major concern for electrical manufacturers, and tamper-resistant
receptacles have long been considered the most reliable means of
protection. Although not widely used in homes, tamper-resistant
receptacles have been required in pediatric care areas for years.
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What does the new Code state?
Answer: The revision, taking effect with the 2009 CEC,
says:
"26.712 Tamper Resistant Receptacles in Dwelling Units*. In all areas
specified in 210.52. all 125-volt,
15 ampere receptacles shall
be listed tamper resistant receptacles, with the following
exclusions:
- except as provided for in Item (b), all receptacles of CSA Configuration 5-15R and 5-20R shall be tamper-resistant receptacles and shall be so marked; and
- receptacles dedicated for microwaves, refrigerators, freezers, or kitchen counters or those receptacles located in an attic or crawl space shall not be required to be tamper resistant.
*Dwelling unit: Single Unit, providing complete & independent
living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent
provisions for living, sleeping, cooking and sanitation.
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How will this Code change affect the
industry?
Answer: Upon adoption, the Code will have a profound
impact on new construction installations, since all 125-volt, 15-
and 20-ampere electrical receptacles in single- and multi-family
homes will need to be tamper-resistant.
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Where do most accidents happen?
Answer: Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention
Program (CHIRPP) data indicate that about 76 percent of
electrical incidents occur at home, with adult supervision typically
present.
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What types of objects are commonly inserted
into receptacles?
Answer: Children insert a wide variety of metal objects
into receptacles, including paper clips, pens, safety pins, screws
and nails, tools, wire, forks, tweezers, hair pins, keys, knives,
coins and more. The two most common objects inserted are keys and
hairpins-items that children can access easily and that parents
don't often consider dangerous. Even "safe" items can pose
electrical hazards.
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Who is at risk?
Answer: In North America, it's estimated that 89 percent of injuries occur
in children less than six years old, and toddlers make up about half
of the victims. Boys carry the greatest risk, regardless of age.
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How severe are the injuries?
Answer: Injuries range in severity, but a significant
number of serious and fatal incidents result-and even minor injuries
can leave emotional trauma. Pediatric burns can be particularly
serious, because the skin is thin and offers little resistance to
electric flow or heat. With infants and toddlers, the frequent
presence of saliva creates an ideal environment for electric flow,
making burns and scars more severe.
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How do tamper-resistant receptacles work?
Answer: Tamper-resistant receptacles have built-in shutter
systems that prevent foreign objects from touching electrically live
components when they're inserted into the slots. The shutters
protect against electrical burns without impairing normal plug
insertion, removal or function.
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Are tamper-resistant receptacles 100 percent
tamper-proof?
Answer: Tamper-resistant receptacles have mechanical
shutters that prevent insertion of single-pronged objects like
hairpins, keys and nails. Data shows this to be the most common
cause of electrical injuries in young children. The devices don’t
protect against two single-pronged items inserted simultaneously.
The shutters would interpret that situation as a two-pronged plug,
allowing insertion.
Determined adults and adolescents could potentially bypass the
mechanism with significant effort. However, CSA, cUL and UL test standards ensure
integrity and performance under normal circumstances.
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Would tamper-resistant receptacles protect
against partial plug insertion?
Answer: Tamper-resistant receptacles function just like
standard receptacles in this situation. Plugs that aren’t fully
inserted expose portions of the blades that are in contact with the
receptacle’s live terminals. Under some conditions, the gap between
the plug face and receptacle face may be large enough for small
fingers to contact these live blades.
Proper Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection would
prevent current flow to ground, but preventive measures should be
taken to keep small children from playing with and inserting
appliance plugs.
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Is it harder to insert or remove a plug from
a tamper-resistant receptacle?
Answer: Recent testing by several device manufacturers
found no appreciable difference for insertion and removal forces
between tamper-resistant and non-tamper-resistant receptacles.
However, bent, damaged, or burred plug blades can make insertion
more difficult. To ensure proper function, users should examine and
straighten or replace substandard plug blades. Severely damaged
plugs should be replaced by a qualified professional.
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Where's the proof that tamper-resistant
receptacles offer greater protection?
Answer: In North America, hospitals have required tamper-resistant receptacles in pediatric wards for more than 20 years. In addition, European electrical receptacles often incorporate tamper-resistant shutters for intrinsic safety. Tamper-resistant receptacles are:
» CSA, cUL and UL listed - subjected to intense, documented testing procedures
» Permanent - once installed, they offer continuous protection,
unlike plastic outlet caps that can be removed or forgotten
» Reliable - this hard-wired solution eliminates the worry about
inserting, losing or breaking the device
» Automatic - protection remains, even with plug or cord removal
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Why are TR shutters required on GFCI's?
Answer:
Two safety features (GFCI and TR) offer two different types of
protection: GFCI's will protect against electrocution. However, the
user will still feel a shock and can receive a burn. There needs to
be an instantaneous current flow for the GFCI to detect and trip.
Tamper-resistant receptacles are meant to protect against burn
hazards to children from a single object insertion.
Can I retrofit an older house with
tamper-resistant receptacles?
Answer: Absolutely. Installation of tamper-resistant
receptacles is identical to installation of standard receptacles,
and tamper-resistant receptacles are completely interchangeable with
standard ones. (For copper wiring only).
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How can I identify tamper-resistant
receptacles?
Answer: The Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) requires
"Tamper Resistant" or "TR" to be marked "on the device where visible
after installations with the cover plate removed," meaning that
every tamper-resistant device must display an appropriate marking
that's visible with the wall plate removed.
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Will my child's daycare have tamper resistant
devices?
Answer: Because this code only applies to a dwelling unit
daycare facilities are exempt. Some daycare centres may choose to do
this voluntarily for safety reasons. Direct any concerns to your
local authority.
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How do I go about getting the devices in my home
changed?
Answer: Contact your local electrician and ensure they are using recognized tamper-resistant receptacles from a reputable manufacturer.
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 www.cooperwiringdevices.com |
 www.hubbell-canada.com |
 www.leviton.com |
 www.passandseymour.com |
Where can I go to learn more?
Answer:
Cooper Wiring Devices:
www.cooperwiringdevices.com
Hubbell-Canada:
www.hubbell-canada.com
Leviton:
www.leviton.com
Pass & Seymour/Legrand:
www.passandseymour.com
For manufacturer research and safety statistics:
www.nema.org
For U.S. incident statistics:
www.cpsc.gov/library/neiss.html
For the CPSC data sheet of electrical safety:
www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/524.html
For Canadian incident statistics:
www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/injury-bles/chirpp
For the Consumers Union Report on Outlet Caps:
www.consumersunion.org/products/childsafeny698.htm
For the State Farm report on home electrical safety:
www.statefarm.com/learning/child_safety/learning_childsafety_elec.asp