What is the benefit of wall plates?

For many people, wall plates have no more use than just keeping the ungainly tangle of wires out of sight. But by keeping the wires out of reach of children, wall plates also make a home safe. What is more, these contraptions protect delicate cords and cables from dust and moisture.

What is a wall plate and its purpose?

Wall plates, also known as switch plates, cover your home's outlets and light switches, keeping wires out of sight and away from fingers. With a wide variety of colors and materials to choose from, wall plates can complement the decor of any room.

Are outlet plates necessary?

Prevent Electrical Hazards by Covering Switches and Outlets – One great safety measure is to simply replace an switch or outlet cover to avoid the exposure of electrical wiring and to keep fingers from coming into contact with energized parts.

What is the point of a blank outlet cover?

Blank outlet covers are designed to cover any unused power outlet or light switch. Widely used in personal residences and commercial residences decoration.

Is it bad to not have an outlet cover?

The outlet cover plate is an important safety device because it covers everything in the electrical box, including the electrical terminals (screws) on the sides of the outlet and the bare ends of the circuit wires. Touching these can give you a powerful shock.

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Should you cover unused outlets?

You'll want to use a “weatherproof while-in-use” cover and to make sure unused outlets are closed off. Your outdoor outlets should be plugged into a GFCI to prevent electric shock, electric fire hazard and electrocution.

Can you cover an outlet with a blank wall plate?

This 1 gang blank wallplate conceals live electrical components while still remaining attractive. This blank outlet covers used to hide unused wall receptacle, dimmers, switches and GFCIs. Simply screw in this faceplate into the same electric box and you're good to go!

Why is it important to cover outlets?

Since children can suffer serious shock and burn injuries if they insert objects into outlets, selecting the best type of outlet cover is important. Also, outlets are usually low to the ground and easily accessible to children.

Why are outlet covers important?

The water can also short-circuit your home's electrical system, taking out the power for the whole house and damaging any electrical appliances that happen to be plugged in. The short can even cause an electrical fire, which can burn your house down. This is why an outlet cover is essential for any outdoor outlet.

Where do you put wall plates?

A timber wall plate is installed at the top of the masonry wall and the roof structure is fixed to it. During construction, the completion of the masonry wall doesn't just mean a change in structure from wall to roof, it also marks a change in trades, from bricklayers to joiners.

Where are wall plates used?

Wall plates are a type of building material used to cover electrical wiring and devices. Different types of wall plates can be used with light switches, power receptacles, audio cables and even dimmer switches.

How do I choose a wall plate?

What age do you stop using outlet covers?

A. If your children are over 5 years old and you feel confident they won't try to touch electrical outlets, stick anything into them or remove plugged-in cords, only then is it safe to remove outlet covers. It's safest to leave outlet covers on for as long as possible.

What age do you not need outlet covers?

As previously mentioned, children over the age of two can easily remove plastic outlet covers from individual sockets.

Do outlet covers save energy?

Q: How much can I save by covering electric outlets and sealing holes in walls around outdoor faucets and wiring? A: Sealing these holes is fine to do. It will cut down on drafts, make your house more comfortable and probably save a bit on your energy bills.

What color wall plates to use?

White switches continue to be the most popular finish, and they're the easiest to match plates to. You'll find the greatest range of electrical switches, outlets, dimmers, motion devices, sound systems, & home security controls in white.

What is the best way to cover electrical outlets?

What is the safest way to cover outlets?

Use a box cover to fully cover the outlet. Box covers cover the entire outlet panel to prevent children or pets from accidental electrocution. Measure your outlet's length and width, and choose a cover that matches the outlet's dimensions. Find box covers at most hardware or home improvement stores.

Is an uncovered outlet a fire hazard?

It's also dangerous. Because loose outlets can disrupt the flow of electricity, they have the potential to cause arcing, a serious fire hazard.

Can an outlet cause a fire if nothing is plugged in?

An outlet can also catch fire even if nothing is plugged in. This can occur in homes that use aluminum wiring. If your house was built more than 50 years ago, chances are, it was built with aluminum wiring. Aluminum wires are more likely to catch fire, because aluminum is softer and expands more than copper.

Should I use metal or plastic outlet covers?

For your safety, choose metal switch plates. They won't crack or break off exposing internal wiring. They are your most durable and reliable choice.

What color should outlet covers be?

Architectural Digest suggests painting outlet covers the same color and finish as the trim in a room for a subtle, textural effect. Keep in mind that if you choose not to paint the covers, the outlet itself and the cover should be the same color.

Can I put tape over outlets?

Answer: No. Although the application of electrical tape to conductive parts, as described above, will likely reduce worker exposure to the shock hazards of uncovered receptacles, it is not an acceptable alternative to retaining receptacle covers in place or turning off power.

Are plates on wall fashionable?

Once again, plates are longer confined to the dining room and are popping up in hallways, living rooms, and bedrooms. While their return might seem out of left field, trend forecasters should have seen this coming, since millennials have been playing with a similar trend for over a decade in the form of woven baskets.

Should wall plates match the walls?

It doesn't have to match – the idea is to choose a cover that will visually blend or recede as much as possible. On warm white walls, you may get away with ivory plastic covers. For a budget-friendly option, use leftover paint from your walls to paint your outlets and switchplate covers to match.