When working in an industrial environment you may have a variety of equipment pieces that are plugged into a standard electrical outlet. If this equipment vibrates, you may find that the cord eventually unplugs itself. In other situations, if the equipment is critical to operations and you find that it is being disconnected frequently it can interrupt the workflow. For these situations, a twist lock receptacle would be the ideal solution.

A normal three-prong outlet can simply be pushed or pulled to connect with a standard wall outlet. To add a layer of protection to this process, a twist lock receptacle requires that it be twisted in order to connect properly. The male connector usually has curved prongs that plug into the receptacle and then are twisted to lock into place. To unplug, the plug must be twisted the opposite direction. Without this process the electrical device cannot be disconnected from the wall.

A twist lock is beneficial in those environments where the electrical equipment is critical to operations, is semi-permanent, and should not be easily unplugged. This should not be used as a solution to prevent foot traffic disconnections. Others may continue to trip over the cord, which can damage the cord and create stress. This will expose the wires and create an electrical hazard. If the cord is a tripping hazard it should be rerouted or secured to the ground to prevent this from happening.

If a weather-resistant twist lock is chosen it can be useful when the receptacle is exposed to the elements. It can prevent water from entering the connection and causing electrical surges. The twist lock creates a tight connection and seal. The plug will not become loose and create exposure of the prongs and receptacle holes.

If you can think of a device in your home or workplace which is semi-permanent, will not or should not be unplugged easily, then a twist lock receptacle could be beneficial. This will require the male plug to be replaced on the electrical device and also the wall receptacle to be replaced. We highly recommend that a licenced electrician complete this replacement. A mistake in this task can cause damage to the device and constant electrical shortages or surges.

If you are interested in twist lock receptacles, contact Expert Electric at 604-681-8338. We can help you to determine if a twist lock is the ideal solution and help complete the installation properly and up to code.

If you’re a holiday enthusiast who loves to add lighting and decorations to celebrate, you’ve probably either added extra outlets or considered the possibility in order to accommodate the lighting you use at Christmas. Those same outlets can provide a valuable resource to your home throughout the year. Once installed, you’ll wonder why they weren’t there in the first place as you find additional reasons to use them.

Guests

When you have guests they’ll appreciate the extra power sources so they can charge batteries for their phones, tablets or computers. Because of the extra outlets it isn’t a disruption to have to unplug a light or other appliance to accommodate for additional electric needs. This adds comfort for you, your family, and your guests who will feel especially welcome by not having to inconvenience you for their own needs.

Holiday Lighting