GFI outlet for standard dual semi-circle coverplate

It's a question of if you can't take Mohammed to the mountain, you take the mountain to Mohammed....

I need to find a GFI receptacle for our bathroom that is not the standard rectangular, block-shaped, "Decora", or rocker switch shape. The shape needs to be the standard, dual semi-circle shape for traditional cover plates.

Reason? We have custom made ceramic cover plates for standard receptacles that match our bathroom tiles (the receptacles are recessed in the tiles). We need to upgrade one of these to a GFI for code reasons. Having a new custom color matched plate will cost $50 - $100.

Calling various electrical supply stores in my area, I was told that, once upon a time, GFI receptacles were made in the standard, semi-circular shape, but not any more. I also asked if there might be a combination receptacle made in the standard shape, one half being the outlet and the other half housing the GFI test and reset buttons. I was told there's a chance something like that is made.

Any ideas?

 

I'm not sure this will help as I don't have my catelogues at home but I seem to remember hearing Hubble had just come out with some new styles of GFCI's for the new year to comply with the new restrictions they might have what your looking for you might have to spend some time at their site looking though. Hope it helps

 

Do you know the URL to the Hubble web site?

 

Let's say the bathroom wall in which the receptacle is located is the partition between the bathroom and the bedroom.Then you could install a GFI receptacle in the bedroom wall that would protect the bathroom receptacle.It's possible that the bathroom receptacle is presently connected to a "feed-out" cable in a bedroom receptacle outlet. If so ,the "feed-in" cable connects to the "Line" side of a GFI receptacle and the "feed-out" cable connects to the "Load" side of the GFI receptacle.----Please know that all bathroom recectacles require GFI protection.-----Good Luck!!!!

 

Use a GFCI breaker. It'll cost you about $25, but it is safe and legal and easy. You would not be allowed to add a bedroom receptacle to feed this from.

 

The whole problem started when my 20 amp Zinsco GFI circuit breaker tripped during last week's storms. Zinsco breakers are now manufactured by Thomas & Betts, but they do not make the 20 amp GFI breaker. I've managed to locate online suppliers who can get some Zinsco breakers that are still around, but the lowest price I've been quoted is $135. It's been recommended that I not go that route (A) because of the cost and (B) the additional $135+ cost if the new one goes bad (if one can even be found at that point).

It's also been recommended that I wire in a single breaker panel and install another brand's GFI circuit breaker. Initial cost is about $125 plus labor to wire it in, but only about $25 if I ever have to replace the breaker.

The other option recommended to me is to install a GFI receptacle at the first outlet in the bathroom, which would make all the following receptacles GFI. This is the easiest and cheapest option, except for the fact that our receptacle cover plates are custom made, color-matched ceramic for standard semi-circle outlets. Having another cover made for the standard rectangular GFI receptacle will cost $50 - $100 (no one will give an exact quote). So, it's a question of finding a GFI receptacle or combination receptacle with the traditional semi-circle outlets, or plunking down the $50 - $100 for the new ceramic plate.

I've been told on this forum and others to check the web sites for Hubbell and Pass&Semore. If anyone can provide the URLs for these manufacturers, that would be a big help.

Thanks.

 

I checked Bryant, Hubbell, Leviton, and Pass & Seymour with no luck. If you can mount a box outside the bathroom or even adjacent to the panel that you can run the circuit through there are several blank faced GFCI assemblies that are for feed through only and do not include a receptacle that you could use. They are even available at the big box stores.
--
Tom

 

Are there any electrical salvage companies in your are? Ones that recondition and sell used parts. I know there are many located all over the U.S. that do this, one of them might have the breaker you need. Another Idea is to check the electrical wholesalers in your area (and the surrounding one too if need be) sometimes they will have what your looking for in old stcok containers just gathering dust. when I say electrical wholesalers I'm not talking about places like Home Depot they only carry limited amounts of stock I mean the large wholesalers such as Graybar etc.