mini-receptacles

[micky]

They're not really call mini-receptacles.

I don't know what they are called, but i'm referring to the 3-in-1, "cube tap" receptacles that they used to sell that were very small, only about 2 inches long, which were designed to accept 3 plugs, rectangular plugs only 1/2 to 5/8" thick. If you plugged a big round plug in, even to the slot on the end, it would probably cover all 3 receptacles. I can't find an image of it, but nowadays the space allotted for plugs keeps growing and growing. This was the opposite. Do you know what I mean?

Do they still sell them, and if not, why not? Some "safety" reason?

Similarly the plugs that would fit them. Only 1/2 to 5/8' thick, but much wider of course. . I don't know if anything came with such a plug attached, but they were sold separately, and were needed if one had an outlet or receptacle and one wanted to fit 3 plugs in it.

Now, cords often come with rather small plugs on them, but at the end, the flat end with the prongs coming out, there is a baseboard or a flared skirt, that makes the plug 1/8" bigger all around. So that you often can't get two plugs in adjoining slots. What is the purpose of that extra width?

The plug on the left of this picture has a skirt like I mean:

Also the plug in this picture has one.

One could plug these things in more places if the edge were not there, of if one cut it off. Why is the edge there? Do they no longer think a 3-receptacle extension cord can really hold 3 plugs so close together?

[dadiOH]

Yes, they still sell them. As a Google search would have revealed.

Here's one at Amazon

There are tons of different types/shapes of plugs. As to the "skirt", it might be an integral part of the structure and/or designed to help keep fingers off the prongs.

[Mark Lloyd]

Anything like the one in this picture?

There's also the plastic protrusions that seem to have no purpose other than to limit the recepticle's usability. I often need to use 3-wire extension cords (most longer ones seem to be 3-wire) for use with holiday lights, which don't use the 3rd wire so there's really no problem connecting it to a 2-wire cord (other than the unwanted plastic bit).

[gfretwell]

I think he is talking about a regular wiring device with 3 1-15s on a single yoke that fits in a one gang box. I used to have one around here but I cannibalized it to get one of the receptacles for something I was making.

[gregz]

That picture looks unpolarized.

Greg

[clare]

And not CSA or OL approved, so technically not legal to sell.

I think they are called tri-taps.Or Triple Taps. Leviton makes 3 wire version part number 002-698 or 699, c22-00698-00w or 00i, 0r r51-00699-000

[clare]

And Kroger carries a polarized 2 blade from GE - a 533 - see

[micky]

Yes!!! Like that. I have one just like that. Thanks. Don't go googling but do you know if they still sell something this small.

I have one that's even smaller, with less space between the slots. This one has 5/16 *between* where plugs go. My other has about 3/15", so it's about 1/4" shorter.

[micky]

No, sorry, not at all. I meant one that doesn't go into a box at all. Although I think they also had a one that went into a box and had 3 pairs of slots.

They don't sell those anymore either, do they?. If they were rated 15 amps, as mine are, why aren't they still sold?

Thanks

[micky]

Thanks. If it's 3 wires, it wouldn't be small anymore.

[micky]

Thanks. That big is easy to get.

[micky]

No. Thanks. It's much bigger than what I meant.

DadiOH's whole images page didn't have one either, so I think they no longer sell them (and it seems they don't even remember them, since google images isn't just for stuff that's for sale now.)

Maybe I can get a camera and post a picture but until then, let me say that first, these are 2-prong sockets, non-polarized (2 of the 3 that I have)

the prongs are arranged like ===

and the total distance from the left end of the left slot to the right end of the right slot is only 1 3/8" for the smallest one, 1 5/8" for the one Mark posted a picture of, and 1 3/4 for the polarized one.

[micky]

I have one that's exactly like the one Mark posted and it's UL approved. Says so on the brown, woody plate in the back. Made by GE.

I hadn't heard those names before. Thanks. I guess they're not all cubes anymore.

Thanks. Much bigger than what I have.

[clare]

What do you intend to use it for??? Why is the small size so important?

[krw]

Not legal? Please cite the law that requires UL or CSA approval for the sale of such a device.

[dadiOH]

I hope you are able to post a photo, I can't imagine any much smaller than the one at Amazon, gotta have room for the prongs to go in from multiple sides.

[micky]

I should have said that the smallest ones are not in the shape of a cube. Well, I did say this in another post. They are like the one Mark posted, except one is even 1/4" shorter.

Unfortunately I can't find that one now, but I did see it a week ago.

Nothing in particular at the moment, but if they don't sell them anymore, i have to conserve what I have, and I have pay attention at yard sales.

Plus I'm still curious why they *don't* sell them anymore.

[clare]

Likely because they do not meet current requirements as per UL/CSA whatever - not polarized and only 2 prong are illegal - period.

[dadiOH]

Because the ones they *do* sell work fine?

[gfretwell]

That is not exactly true. As long as both slots are small so a polarized plug will not fit, they are legal. In fact there are also non polarized products out there with non polarized plugs. Look at a wall wart, some double insulated tools or a set of LED christmas lights.