Electricians, Can I use old stuff?
Hi all
Have a simple question.
I was cleaning the storage room and found a bunch of boxes of older (25-30 years) electrical switches, outlets, fixtures, etc.
Somehow they were forgotton.
Mostly Levitan spec quality.
Is there any reason not to use them on jobs and projects?
I know some of the stuff I did back then is still going strong without problems.
Jeff
Replies
The only limitation that I can think of is the older switches don't have a ground connection on them.
(But lean in close as I wispher this in your ear. I don't want others to hear it. If the switch was for your house with plastic coverplates I would not worry that it does not have a ground.)
Also I would not use old GFCI's. They have been improved over the years.
The only significant limitation would be if you were dealing with aluminum wiring. Some older devices were "certified" for AL wiring when in fact they shouldn't have been.
Beyond that, it's a question of whether the devices meet current code in terms of ground terminals, etc. Most after 1975 should, with the exception of cover grounding issues (and I'm not sure if that point is one of code or UL certification).
Dan and Bill
Thank you.
I was more worried about the contacts and insulation.
I don't work on aluminum wiring and always use grounded outlets and switches.
I would only use an ungrounded one in a replacement that has no ground what-so-ever, and usually not then either.
Just being safe.
Jeff