Where Is a Tamper Resistant Receptacle Outlet Required?

Long before I became a licensed master electrician, I was fascinated with electricity. Even as a child, I felt drawn to the stuff. My dad was a master electrician, and early on he gave me permission to use his workbench— as long as I put away all of the tools at the end of the day. His workbench was like a spaceship console from a science fiction movie. A variety of receptacles and switches, electrical testers and tools.

He also had some exotic radio and electronic equipment that I didn’t dare play with.

It amazed me that I could plug my little hobby soldering iron into those innocent-looking receptacles and the soldering iron would magically heat up. I didn’t know where electricity came from, and I had no respect for the danger lurking behind the plastic receptacle faceplate. Just like most kids, I suppose.

According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, thousands of children are injured each year by inserting foreign objects (something other than an approved attachment cord and plug) into receptacles. Due to their smaller size and body composition, children are more susceptible to shock hazards than adults.

What Is a Tamper Resistant Receptacle?

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Tamper resistant receptacles look just like standard receptacles. However, they provide a permanent and automatic solution for protecting small children from burn or shock hazards. Tamper resistant receptacles are identified by the words “Tamper Resistant” or the letters “TR.”

Tamper resistant receptacles have built-in safety shutters that automatically prevent foreign objects, such as fingers, toys, hairpins, tools, eating utensils, paper clips, jewelry, coins or similar small items, from being inserted into the receptacle. The shutters remain closed if an object is inserted into only one of the vertical slots on the receptacle. The shutters will only open when a proper two-prong or three-prong attachment cord-and-plug is inserted.

When equal pressure is simultaneously applied to both vertical slots, the shutters open and allow a standard two-prong or three-prong plug to engage the receptacle’s internal energized contacts. Without this synchronized pressure, the shutters remain closed, preventing the insertion of foreign objects. When the plug is removed, the shutters automatically close.

When you plug a cord into a tamper-resistant receptacle for the first time you may feel the internal shutters engaging. There might be a short break-in period like any new mechanism. If excessive force is needed to insert a plug into a tamper-resistant receptacle, stop and check the plug to make sure it is not damaged or has bent prongs. Manufacturers have strived to make these receptacles easy to use and aesthetically the same as standard receptacles.

Temporary plastic receptacle protectors and plastic tamper resistant receptacle faceplates are better than nothing, but they can be counterproductive and attract even more attention from curious children. They do not provide a permanent solution that complies with the National Electrical Code (NEC)— tamper resistant receptacles do.

Where Are Tamper Resistant Receptacles Required in a Home?

The requirements for tamper resistant receptacles are found in both “less structured” environments, such as private homes where children often play unattended, and in “closely supervised environments” such as childcare facilities that have attentive staff. Similar to swimming pool accidents, electrical accidents involving little children can happen anywhere, and in the blink of an eye.

The NEC requires all 15- and 20-ampere, 120- and 240-volt receptacles in the following locations to be tamper resistant:

Dwelling units

Every one-family home, each unit in a two-family home, and each unit in a multifamily dwelling, such as an apartment or condominium building. This requirement extends to attached and detached garages and accessory buildings. It would also include common areas in two-family or multifamily dwellings, such as hallways, lobbies, game rooms and similar common locations.

In other words, tamper resistant receptacles are basically required everywhere inside and outside a home, including accessory buildings like garages and tool sheds.

Mobile homes and manufactured homes

Including attached or detached garages and accessory buildings.

Boathouses

Including all indoor or outdoor receptacles associated with the boathouse.

Are Tamper Resistant Receptacles Required When Replacing Existing Receptacles?

Yes. If you replace an existing receptacle at a location that otherwise requires tamper-resistant receptacles in the current NEC, the replacement receptacles must be tamper resistant.

How Much Do Tamper Resistant Receptacles Cost?

Prices vary greatly for receptacles due to countless style, color and configuration options, but a basic 15-ampere tamper-resistant duplex receptacle typically only costs about 50 cents more than a standard duplex receptacle. A typical 15-ampere tamper resistant receptacle is about $1.50 at the home center.

Are Tamper Resistant Receptacles Required in Public Spaces?

Yes, the NEC requires tamper-resistant receptacles in several public locations:

• Guest rooms and suites in hotels, motels and their common areas.
• Child care facilities.
• Preschool and education facilities.
• Clinics, medical and dental offices, and outpatient facilities, where children might be present in public spaces such as business offices, lobbies and waiting areas.
• Public spaces in facilities where people await transportation, gymnasiums, skating rinks, fitness centers and auditoriums.
• Dormitory units.
• Residential care and assisted care facilities, limited-care facilities, group homes and similar spaces.
• Foster care facilities, nursing homes and psychiatric hospitals.