Outlet screw grommets


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Old 11-10-15, 12:41 PM
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Outlet screw grommets

I have no idea what these are called. The little metal/plastic squares that retain the screws on the rear of modern outlet plates. I'm always losing them, or finding them broken and then the screws go awol. I figure it's one of those things you can find cheap by the bag on eBay if only I knew what they were called.
 
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Old 11-10-15, 01:14 PM
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I would call them keepers or retainers, although the trade probably has a name for them.
Do you replace enough receptacles to even worry about them? I have made a few by punching a nail hole in stiff paper and then cutting them into little squares. Then I asked myself "why am I wasting my time doing this?" and stopped.
 
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Old 11-10-15, 01:28 PM
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I just thought of them as packaging. Nothing you really need.
 
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Old 11-10-15, 02:04 PM
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I agree 100%.
No way would I spend time and money on them.
 
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Old 11-10-15, 02:17 PM
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I actually remove them before installing a device so that I can see if the device fits correctly in the box.
 
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Old 11-10-15, 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by joecaption
I agree 100%.
No way would I spend time and money on them.
Fortunately noone is requiring you to!!

I didn't ask whether you would use them, or whether you think I should. Merely if they had a name.
 
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Old 11-10-15, 02:35 PM
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Fortunately noone is requiring you to!!
Actually that is two words, "no one" and we are just answering your question. Bottom line they are not needed for installation or use. They are just for packaging.
 
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Old 11-10-15, 02:48 PM
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and we are just answering your question.
Sorry but the question was what they were called. Not whether I needed to use them.
 
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Old 11-10-15, 02:54 PM
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When you added "I figure it's one of those things you can find cheap by the bag on eBay if only I knew what they were called." we just assumed you were wanting to buy some.
 
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Old 11-10-15, 02:58 PM
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That intent on finding the name, may want to try contacting the manufacture of switch and outlet plates to find out what it's called.
Just not a term 99.9999% of people in the trades would ever need to know.
Ask a shoe salesman what's the name is of the end of a shoe lace, a painter the name of the parts of a paint brush and expect to get blank stares.
When removing cover plates I put them and a the screws in a zip lock bag so I do not loose them.
I also have a box filled with old screws I've removed that where in good shape.
 
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Old 11-10-15, 03:02 PM
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we just assumed you were wanting to buy some.
No offense, but so what if I did? Sorry I fail to see the point of replies like "No way would I spend time and money on them".

Anyways, we're clearly done here.

Thank you for the replies.
 
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Old 11-10-15, 03:55 PM
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And sorry if we ruffled your feathers. We didn't mean to.
 
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Old 11-11-15, 06:23 AM
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Screw Retainer

Google "screw retainer". filler for short text
 
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Old 11-11-15, 06:53 AM
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I don't know what they're called either, but if you check an electronics supply house, you'll probably find them in the nylon screw section.
 
 

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