# Electricians: The Wires Inside an Outlet **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** tools-electric-diy\ **Created:** [September 29, 2024, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255 "2024-09-29T19:28:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/1 "2024-09-29T19:28:42Z")
My wife has a low vision. There is a kitchen outlet she uses a lot to plug in various appliances. She can’t do it without help, but recently, she found a clever device to help her plug in anything. Basically, it is a fatter face place with beveleed edges that will guide the plug into the outlet. However, this device is just a hair thicker at the bolt than a standard face plate, and a standard bolt won’t grab. I found a longer bolt that will mate with the threads provided in an outlet, but…willl a longer bolt touch wires that a standard bolt would be too short to touch? Basically, I am asking what is behind the center of the outlet where the bolt goes? Would a longer bolt run risk of shock? (The replacement bolt I have is maybe an inch long.) If necessary, maybe I can find a shorter bolt at a hardware store…but just long enough to hold this enhanced faceplate in place. Your thoughts? Advice? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/2 "2024-09-29T19:31:27Z")
Under any normal install, what you’re describing should be safe. But, sometimes weird things are done. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/3 "2024-09-29T19:47:36Z")
A couple minutes ago I removed the plate from a 120 VAC outlet and measured the depth of the center hole: it was 3/4 of an inch. And it’s a blind hole. So you should be fine. There’s no safety issue. Worse case, the screw bottoms out and the plate is loose. In which case you need to use a shorter screw, or shorten the screw w/ a hacksaw. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/4 "2024-09-29T19:51:53Z")
Totally agree with @What_Exit [ETA: and @Crafter_Man] Here’s your standard outlet: [![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/610pvAvuU6S._AC_UF350,350_QL80_.jpg) ](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/610pvAvuU6S._AC_UF350,350_QL80_.jpg) Seeing that the depth is _a maximum of_ just over 3/4", you should be fine, particularly considering that the faceplate usually creates a gap of its own before the screw gets to the receptacle. What’s behind that receptacle _should_ all be insulated. The ‘flat’ end of a standard wall plate screw: [![](https://www.mcfeelys.com/media/catalog/product/cache/103916d0262da481e4903b3919843723/g/b/gb-wpi.jpg) ](https://www.mcfeelys.com/media/catalog/product/cache/103916d0262da481e4903b3919843723/g/b/gb-wpi.jpg) Really shouldn’t create any trouble whatsoever. But that all assumes that your wiring was done to code, and by a competent professional. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/5 "2024-09-29T19:55:04Z")
Yea, on the receptacle I looked at, the center hole is a blind hole. Hence no chance the screw could come in contact with wiring. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/6 "2024-09-29T19:55:12Z")
Agree with the above comments. As **What\_Exit** said, you can’t be sure some electrician didn’t overstuff the box to the point that a long screw might abrade the insulation, but the chances of that are fairly remote. Take the cover plate off and shine a flashlight into the outlet. If you see a rat’s nest of wire behind the outlet, you may want to rethink things. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/7 "2024-09-29T19:55:49Z")
Yeah. I just looked at some pics and saw the same thing. He’d have to pierce plastic with the screw in order to have _any_ risk at all. ETA: although that doesn’t appear to be _universally_ true: [![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSh4uQ4f7tQW8_8xSR4lw-ovyGyiFuVuW9iqA&s) ](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSh4uQ4f7tQW8_8xSR4lw-ovyGyiFuVuW9iqA&s) ETA2: IF that even is actually a continuation of the wall plate screw hole… ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/8 "2024-09-29T19:58:18Z")
Is the center hole on that receptacle a through hole? If so… interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/9 "2024-09-29T19:58:47Z")
More to the point, if there is something in your outlet box that would make a longer bolt dangerous, then it’s already dangerous with the shorter bolt, too. If you trust whoever did your wiring originally, then go ahead. If you don’t trust whoever did the wiring originally, then hire an electrician you do trust to take a look. I am a bit surprised that, if this special faceplate is thicker than usual, it didn’t come with its own bolts to hold it in. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/10 "2024-09-29T20:05:01Z")
I can’t be 100% sure. It’s also a **[commercial-grade 20A receptacle](https://www.supplyhouse.com/Leviton-BR20-WS-Commercial-Grade-Duplex-Receptacle-w-Self-Grounding-Clip-Back-or-Side-Wire-20A-NEMA-5-20R-White-125V)**, so it may not be relevant at all. This pic of the same receptacle makes me think it may well _be_ a through-hole: [![](https://images.thdstatic.com/productImages/6f4867b2-b160-4545-861b-cbb0f1b3ae3d/svn/white-leviton-outlets-br20-w-66_600.jpg) ](https://images.thdstatic.com/productImages/6f4867b2-b160-4545-861b-cbb0f1b3ae3d/svn/white-leviton-outlets-br20-w-66_600.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/11 "2024-09-29T20:07:04Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Take the cover plate off and shine a flashlight into the outlet. If you see a rat’s nest of wire behind the outlet, you may want to rethink things. Or take off the faceplate and stick a _wooden toothpick_ into the hole where the faceplate screw goes. If the toothpick ‘bottoms out’ (ie, the hole does NOT go _through_ the receptacle), then you’re golden. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/12 "2024-09-29T20:46:09Z")
> [@Jinx](#): > > My wife has a low vision. There is a kitchen outlet she uses a lot to plug in various appliances. She can’t do it without help, but recently, she found a clever device to help her plug in anything. Basically, it is a fatter face place with beveleed edges that will guide the plug into the outlet. I never heard of this but Googled and I think this is similar or identical to what your wife got. [![](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-j599icwg8d/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/617/860/421195__17255.1697576694.jpg?c=1) ](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-j599icwg8d/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/617/860/421195__17255.1697576694.jpg?c=1) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/13 "2024-09-29T21:00:45Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I am a bit surprised that, if this special faceplate is thicker than usual, it didn’t come with its own bolts to hold it in. I agree with this. I have used other sorts of non-standard faceplates or multi-outlet adaptors that fit in lieu of a faceplate. In every case they’ve come with a screw tailor-made for their additional thickness so the amount that goes into the outlet body is the usual length within whatever the industry standard tolerance is. I wonder if the OP’s wife with her poor vision lost that piece or never noticed the one package she picked up was missing that part. Wherever it came from and whatever brand it is, the OP should do some investigation on what the package should have contained. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/14 "2024-09-29T21:06:01Z")
Note that the exit hole is threaded - it’s to provide a very secure mounting for the wall plate in an industrial application, where someone hitting the outlet with a piece of equipment is likely to damage (crack) a normal outlet. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/15 "2024-09-29T23:58:05Z")
Engineer here with home electrical experience. Get a fiberglass or nylon screw. 🙂 I actually have a bag of them on my desk but not the size you need. A bit tongue in cheek. You should be just fine with your slightly longer screw. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2024, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/16 "2024-09-30T14:37:11Z")
Thanks @Dewey_Finn I couldn’t quite picture it. I have a couple of older devices that need the USB plug right side up. I take a dot of red nail polish, mark the device and the USB cord. Now I have it right every time. @Jinx because of polarized plugs, that may help your wife. Say, standardize all the plugs with a dot of red on the up side. Good idea @mixdenny re the nylon screw. Just in case. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2024, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/17 "2024-09-30T14:38:46Z")
You’re welcome and I think the one I found doesn’t need an extra-long screw, since the part that’s where the hole is isn’t extended. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2024, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/18 "2024-09-30T14:53:01Z")
Nice use of photos, @DavidNRockies. ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2024, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/19 "2024-10-02T00:43:00Z")
Yes, that’s it! She received through a State office that assists people with disabilities. Too bad it doesn’t come with a proper bolt. Ug! ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2024, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255/20 "2024-10-02T00:43:54Z")
Thanks. I never heard of it but will try to remember in case someone I know could use one. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricians-the-wires-inside-an-outlet/1008255.md?page=2)