TR GFCI Receptacle

I’ve never run into this situation before on an apparent new TR GFCI receptacle.
I could not get the 3-light tester (tried 2 different testers) to insert into the receptacle… a little too resistant

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the picture would indicate your leaning to 1 side…..upon insertion

Every now and again I encounter cranky TR outlets, seems to be the ones rarely used, stiff shutter or spring apparently.

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That was just for the Photo!
I was wondering if someone would notice that nice catch :face_with_monocle:

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I am not a fan of TR receptacles. Sometimes you get one that is almost impossible to get a plug into!

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It (difficult to use outlets) seems to happen in waves. Sometimes a house will be full of them. “wiggling” the tester seems to help… sometimes.

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I have heard from others, and it sometimes seems to me that…
The pin configuration (polarity) of a polarized two-prong plug that matters for safety, and the design of tamper-resistant (TR) outlets facilitates this by accepting the plug only in the correct orientation.
IMO, this is why we sometimes have difficulty with our 3-prong testers, as they typically do not have a polarized prong, which the TR feature is attempting to reject, thinking you are a small child with a butter knife!!

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I’ve found that wiggling the plug constantly when trying to insert it into the TR receptacles help getting it in on the Hard to enter ones. Repeat a few times and the TR mechanism loosens enough to work normally. Occasionally, you’ll find that no matter what you do you cannot plug in to the TR receptacle. No choice but to replace these receptacles since something screwed up with the TR mechanism at the factory

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…Or the previous inspector before you!!

The worst are some exterior receptacles where the flaps prevent you from getting a straight shot at it…. let alone being able to wiggle to get it in.

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Morning, Neil. Hope to find you well.

I have had that happen in new or newly erected buildings. Tamper-resistant (TR) outlets.

Cuase: Likely due to the outlet being tamper-resistant type.
#1: Push both buttons to reset.
#2: Internal spring-loaded shutters require prongs be inserted evenly and simultaneously. A slight wiggling can help engage new or stiff mechanisms to operate.
#3: Debris inside slot/s. Wiggle & push plug to dislodge any debris or free the shutters. I used liquid air, to clean PC parts, to blow out debris.

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That was this one for sure. No problems with others throughout the house as this was a flip and no one has lived in the home since the upgrades.

Is that what she said? :thinking: