How to clean electrical outlets?

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by nybbler

In most single-family residences there's no service disconnect switch or block aside from the master breaker (which IS a breaker).

I guess you are right. I went and looked. our main panel does have one. The four subpanels do not. I guess I am too much out of date from mostly working on very old houses with panels ranging anywhere form 20- 50 or more years old.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

I guess you are right. I went and looked. our main panel does have one. The four subpanels do not. I guess I am too much out of date from mostly working on very old houses with panels ranging anywhere form 20- 50 or more years old.

Our panel is about 15 years old. It's the same as the panel that was in my childhood home that was built in 1970. Both are like the one in the picture I posted. Must be a regional thing.

[mathjak107]

the nec requires a means of disconnect to the branches. either a fused switch or main circuit breaker is required.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Do people without small children really use outlet covers?

My husband has been increasingly worried about the cats while they play. Our outlets in our old house are at floor level, and easily reachable by kitties with toys. Peace of mind is way better than a zapped cat.

By the way -- our electric box is outside -- and not locked.

And I've used a barely damp q-tip and alcohol to clean my outlets. Alcohol will dissolve stuff like dirt and hairspray, and barely damp means no drips, so no shutting off the power. I've never had to clean the actual prong holes though, just the outside flattish part.

[Donna-501]

Originally Posted by Blinx

Get those little plastic child-safe outlet covers. There! No more unsightly outlets!

(And you know, that's the FIRST thing I look at when visiting a friend's house -- no white glove tests for me, no, no! I get down on my hands and knees and have a look at those outlets. May have to move some furniture, but boy, you can really tell a LOT about a person!)

You won't see mine because the cobwebs are covering them.