[Kevin]

My cousin has asked me to change some receptacles and switches while I'm at her place. Her main complaint is the bathroom receptacle...

I've never seen one like this in person. It's mounted In a 4x4 deep box. The box is within 5' of the tub.

What would you do in this instance? Part of me say not to touch it, but the other half of me wants to change it because it doesn't matter how far it is from the tub when someone uses an extension cord...

Thoughts?

 

[BillyMac59]

It looks like a receptacle for an electric razor. I've seen them in older houses. I would think swapping it out for a ground fault recept would be the way to go but residential isn't my thing. Wait for more experienced folks to chime in.

 

[Kevin]

It looks like a receptacle for an electric razor. I've seen them in older houses. I would think swapping it out for a ground fault recept would be the way to go but residential isn't my thing. Wait for more experienced folks to chime in.

It does say Razor only, and IMHO a GFCI is way better, but I'm not sure, as I've never encountered this before.

 

[BillyMac59]

Yes , Kevin, the intent was for a razor. I've never seen the backside of this receptacle so I don't know if has any power limits. The "razor only" label is probably a polite way of saying not for a continuous or high wattage load.

 

[Kevin]

Yes , Kevin, the intent was for a razor. I've never seen the backside of this receptacle so I don't know if has any power limits. The "razor only" label is probably a polite way of saying not for a continuous or high wattage load.

It has an isolation transformer and a VA marking on the plate, so it is limited power.

 

[splatz]

It has an isolation transformer and a VA marking on the plate, so it is limited power.

See if it lights a wiggy from hot to ground, it might be the output of the isolation transformer is ungrounded and that's the safety.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Is it possible they limited the power consumption because there are many loads on the circuit? Here is what Dennis would do..lol
Check what else is on the circuit by turning off the breaker.. Then remove that crap and install a flat 2 gang adapter ring , install a gfci with a decora receptacle next to it and then use a 2 gang decora plate.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Is there a CEC code that a receptacle must be 5' from a tub? Since it is there already you are just making it safer.

 

[eddy current]

It was an old code requirement before GFI’s.

Isolated from ground to keep you from getting zapped by the old electric razors

 

[emtnut]

Transformer is isolated from ground, and also power limited. Unless she has an old electric razor .... Cut it all out and put in a GFCI.

 

[glen1971]

I remember buying a conversion kit at Home Depot, I think, that came with the GFI, oversized plate, and everything needed. I'll see if I can find a link.

Here are the plates. Just need the GF receptacle.

6198-W : Leviton GFCI Plate, Razor Plug To Ground Fault Current Interrupter (GFCI) Conversion Plate, 1 Gang, White | AMRE Supply

Buy 6198-W : Leviton GFCI Plate, Razor Plug To Ground Fault Current Interrupter (GFCI) Conversion Plate, 1 Gang, White at Amre Supply - Property Performance Centres with 13 locations across Canada

www.amresupply.com

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I remember buying a conversion kit at Home Depot, I think, that came with the GFI, oversized plate, and everything needed. I'll see if I can find a link.

Here are the plates. Just need the GF receptacle.

6198-W : Leviton GFCI Plate, Razor Plug To Ground Fault Current Interrupter (GFCI) Conversion Plate, 1 Gang, White | AMRE Supply

Buy 6198-W : Leviton GFCI Plate, Razor Plug To Ground Fault Current Interrupter (GFCI) Conversion Plate, 1 Gang, White at Amre Supply - Property Performance Centres with 13 locations across Canada

www.amresupply.com

That is basically what I said but I said use a 2 gang so it looks more standard. Good to know that option

 

[joe-nwt]

I remember buying a conversion kit at Home Depot, I think, that came with the GFI, oversized plate, and everything needed. I'll see if I can find a link.

Here are the plates. Just need the GF receptacle.

6198-W : Leviton GFCI Plate, Razor Plug To Ground Fault Current Interrupter (GFCI) Conversion Plate, 1 Gang, White | AMRE Supply

Buy 6198-W : Leviton GFCI Plate, Razor Plug To Ground Fault Current Interrupter (GFCI) Conversion Plate, 1 Gang, White at Amre Supply - Property Performance Centres with 13 locations across Canada

www.amresupply.com

Man I was feeling old reading all the commentary about a common razor outlet and how to deal with it. Luckily you came to my rescue.

 

[Arsenal FC]

Im guessing no EGC... but you can use a GFCI because that device won't need a ground because it shunts the resistor between the line and load... However it would be good to have an EGC if not one in there.

 

[Kevin]

Im guessing no EGC... but you can use a GFCI because that device won't need a ground because it shunts the resistor between the line and load... However it would be good to have an EGC if not one in there.

It looks like this place was wired with the old BX that had the strip inside in. There's no ground wire to be seen inside the box.

 

[Kevin]

I picked up one of these and a GFCI.

Turns out these kits are advertised as razor plug GFCI kits

 

[micromind]

I wonder how many of those isolation transformers have been burnt up because someone plugged in a heater.........

 

[joe-nwt]

I wonder how many of those isolation transformers have been burnt up because someone plugged in a heater.........

None. They saturate and give you nothing. That's why they say razor only.

 

[BleedingLungsMurphy]

I had one in my bathroom and the old light fixture had a razor receptacle on the bottom. They were really common in BC and Alberta in the 70s.

 

[Kevin]

I had one in my bathroom and the old light fixture had a razor receptacle on the bottom. They were really common in BC and Alberta in the 70s.

View attachment 166195

Well I guess that dates this building in Calgary to the 70's.

I've never seen one in Canada before.

Got it changed tho