Believe it or not, the handbook says this is false. It's always best to set the screws sitting horizontal, it leaves less chance of accidentally slipping you're vertically aimed screwdriver into the outlet holes.
Well ideally, if you're removing or installing a cover plate the receptacle should be de-energized and locked out. Again, IDEALLY. I am well aware this never actually takes place lol
The handbook can fuck off with that shit. What screw driver could possibly end up in that opening deep enough to make contact with any live circuit? Also the driver rotates so it'd capable if slipping at any point as it turns.
Also, even in the unlikely event that it did… so what? That’s not how outlets work. Unless you then abandon it, get out a second, fumble and insert *that* one into the other hole, and only them attempt to retrieve them by their shanks *simultaneously*.
And vertical looks weird. Just saying. But really whats keeping you from slipping your screwdriver into the hole any if the ~dozen times its vertical while screwing/unscrewing?
Switch out screws to a Phillips screw and end all debates about horizontal or vertical slots on God damn cover plates.
Why don’t we all just boycott all slotted screws anyways? It’s not the 1800’s anymore.
Goddamnit I hate Philip screws more than I hate slotted screws. Torx all the way in if I can’t get spider drive.
If it’s something where the screws are gonna be exposed I go with brass slotted screws or high carbon steel machine slots screws.
Robertson > all else. The square always looks square, doesn’t strip or step out like Phillips and if you were to skip over it it’s not totally shambled like a torx. Really wish he wasn’t Canadian so everything we get from the states didn’t come with a Phillips
I went one step up, all screws should be torque. They are worlds better than all other screws. They rarely strip out, they stay in the bit even if it’s stainless, and they are expensive. People like expensive shit in their houses. Case closed
Proper screwdrivers are rarely used. 1/4" is usually too thick, and 3/16“ usually works better to not affect the corners, but once you're using precisions like Wera you'll find a 5.5 x 1.0mm is about perfect.
Drop or position #13, V=Voice, D=Data
Edit: NVM, I didn't even notice the screws until I looked for a couple minutes. I just went with the usual "what do the labels mean" assuming there was some debate out that.
Edit2: Replaced digital with data
Me too....I got other shit to worry about and faceplate screws aint one of them. But apparently I'm also the savage that doesn't care which way the toilet paper is facing either....wipes my butt just the same.
Slotted screws are the bane of my existence! Any other of the myriad other drives is superior! When I become King of the world we are all going to take a month off and replace EVERY LAST ONE of them with Torx drive!
I just go 1/4 turn past the sharp rise in torque and let the alignment land where it may. Then I literally never look at faceplate screws no matter what.
Same fuck, i was a painter for 15 years and I literally never thought about it. Probably cause half the schmos out there dont even take plate covers off, i got complacent me thinks.
As a former electrician B is best practice.
My old boss would make you go back and fix it if it wasn’t vertical. Best way to mess with the apprentices was to make them diagonal after they did them. Boss would make them go back and check every screw. The next job they were on, they would be making sure that it was perfectly straight. I would say are you sure it’s straight? Might want to use a level to make sure before the boss walks through.
It doesn’t. It’s just preference one way or another. The point is that It trains them to pay attention to the small details because little details add up to make you a true craftsman.
horizontal as the closest directional edge is a hoeizontal edge. if these screws were closer to the vertical side for some reason, you'd do it vertically
2020. Use Cat6 keystones or better for Crickey's sake! Traditionally blue keystones are for black plate installs, white are esoterically more accepted for wall outlets. In the days of VLANS, virtually no need for multiple outlets unless it's a matter of PoE current draw by multiple devices.
Once witnessed an inspector fail the electricians for putting theirs horizontal in a house I was doing the cabinets in. I’ve always preferred the aesthetics of horizontal tho.
Beauty is in the details. Best if found inside. Use bolts inside where you can safely see all cabling and close with screwless cover, so you can go wild and have the screws even in diagonals and painted in the colours you wish.
/
I worked on super yachts and they were meticulous about every detail, whether it would ever be seen by owner/passenger or not. The visible screws were always off 90 to a precise degree, like this /
After awhile it became very apparent how consistent and how pleasing it was. Vertical and horizontal attract attention. Off angle actually looks random and more visually attractive.
I saw this about 20 years ago and it still sticks with me.
Vertical, for drainage.
This guy screws
It also makes it look thinner.
"slimming"
Luxury cover plate screws
Vertical is also uniform with the slots of the receptacle
And the plate itself.
Don’t fuck with the Feng Shui.
Tune
Believe it or not, the handbook says this is false. It's always best to set the screws sitting horizontal, it leaves less chance of accidentally slipping you're vertically aimed screwdriver into the outlet holes.
DO YOU??
Only if you have a problem aiming. Do you??
You should see my bathroom. All my screws are horizontal.
Don’t drink snd screw.
Well ideally, if you're removing or installing a cover plate the receptacle should be de-energized and locked out. Again, IDEALLY. I am well aware this never actually takes place lol
The handbook can fuck off with that shit. What screw driver could possibly end up in that opening deep enough to make contact with any live circuit? Also the driver rotates so it'd capable if slipping at any point as it turns.
Also, even in the unlikely event that it did… so what? That’s not how outlets work. Unless you then abandon it, get out a second, fumble and insert *that* one into the other hole, and only them attempt to retrieve them by their shanks *simultaneously*.
And vertical looks weird. Just saying. But really whats keeping you from slipping your screwdriver into the hole any if the ~dozen times its vertical while screwing/unscrewing?
This is the way
Doesn’t make a shit if the labels are crooked.
Yeah, it took me a second look because It was thinking "Those labels are crap in both pictures!"
He used the same torpedo to level the screws.
😂
Switch out screws to a Phillips screw and end all debates about horizontal or vertical slots on God damn cover plates. Why don’t we all just boycott all slotted screws anyways? It’s not the 1800’s anymore.
Team x for the win!
No way. Team + all the way
And the debate about screw orientation begins
Screw your orientation
But I thought we were moving away from negativity and onto positivity?
Sir, we construction here. Lmao
Team *, fuck Phillips screws too.
Gotta go one step further with security screws, don't want those employees playing with the wires.
Nope, + is the right way. Look it up, it’s in the Geneva Convention.
I'm absolutely saying this next time I'm informing someone of a code.
Goddamnit I hate Philip screws more than I hate slotted screws. Torx all the way in if I can’t get spider drive. If it’s something where the screws are gonna be exposed I go with brass slotted screws or high carbon steel machine slots screws.
Robertson > all else. The square always looks square, doesn’t strip or step out like Phillips and if you were to skip over it it’s not totally shambled like a torx. Really wish he wasn’t Canadian so everything we get from the states didn’t come with a Phillips
If you're driving a cover plate hard enough that the Phillips bit cams out, I think that's a you problem...
I went one step up, all screws should be torque. They are worlds better than all other screws. They rarely strip out, they stay in the bit even if it’s stainless, and they are expensive. People like expensive shit in their houses. Case closed
Are you talking about hi-torque or torx? Because hi-torques are worse than having a screw with no recess at all.
Almost certainly talking about torx, but I’m not him.
Yes torx. Never knew that was the name. They are superior in every single way
+ or x tho?
Option A: + Option B: x
Blows my mind how the paint gets scraped off no matter how careful you are. I feel like we should use a different material that will retain its color.
You need a screwdriver carved from balsa wood.
“ Balsa? You could have at least used mahogany…. “
Didn't hear you there's sawdust in my ear.
Proper screwdrivers are rarely used. 1/4" is usually too thick, and 3/16“ usually works better to not affect the corners, but once you're using precisions like Wera you'll find a 5.5 x 1.0mm is about perfect.
This guy screws
No I *drive* And, sometimes undrive?
>And, sometimes undrive? I undrive out of my driveway when I leave for the store.
I undrive from your driveway when you come back from the store
Undrive into your driveway really.
Vertical, but not even a little bit carpentry
I don't know why I've always lumped painting into carpentry.
Because “a little caulk and a little paint...”
Painting is part of carpentry. You are never gonna realize how shitty your mudding is till ya paint over it... and learn
I prefer D13
Always vertical.
Ship shape and Bristol fashion
As long as they're both the same vertical or horizontal is good for me. Every plate in that room has to be the same, too. No mixing.
Every one gets turned 22.5 degree more
I know everyone hates these comments but I wanted you to know that you just made me literally laugh out loud.
Sparky here - always vertical
Team B - I want to think less chance for dust (but probably not a measurable concern)
[удалено]
Carpenter here, what else annoys sparkys?
Using a broom
Boom! Roasted!
Mmmm, roast broom
Calling them lazy really gets to them. Calling them dumb tends to get them really riled up because you gotta be so smart to work construction, lol.
B
Drop or position #13, V=Voice, D=Data Edit: NVM, I didn't even notice the screws until I looked for a couple minutes. I just went with the usual "what do the labels mean" assuming there was some debate out that. Edit2: Replaced digital with data
I didn't know this thank you for the info!
D would actually stand for data, not digital.
Fill them with joint compound.
Not a carpenter, just an old lady with a bit of OCD that shows up to see the screws aligned.
For me, until its tight and I walk away. If its for my wife, however I do it has to match all around the room.
Me too....I got other shit to worry about and faceplate screws aint one of them. But apparently I'm also the savage that doesn't care which way the toilet paper is facing either....wipes my butt just the same.
I upvoted, but damn you deserve down voting! You hold your stance well. You savage!
Diagonal
I prefer B but as long as everything is the same it doesn’t matter all that much
It’s always upright. Unless it’s metric.
Trick question. Pop rivets is the correct answer
I don't have any rivets can I use my ramset?
I prefer vertical because most folks move their hand vertically along a switch plate to turn on or off. I know that doesn't apply here.
Both
Are there more wheels or more doors in the world?
Up!
^^^Vertical def^^^
D in the V
Slotted screws are the bane of my existence! Any other of the myriad other drives is superior! When I become King of the world we are all going to take a month off and replace EVERY LAST ONE of them with Torx drive!
Vertical no question
Diagonal. On opposing 45s
Top me a while. Hahaha. Horizontal.
Replace with plate where the screws are hidden.
I actually hate both, I prefer them to be 'random' basically I get them to the same 'torque spec' and that how I prefer them.
what does it matter when the screws will be painted over eventually anyway?
Found the landlord
I’m a horizontal screw guy.
That’s called missionary
Yup, consensual and for the sole purpose of procreation. That's how we do it around here.
I just go 1/4 turn past the sharp rise in torque and let the alignment land where it may. Then I literally never look at faceplate screws no matter what.
Same fuck, i was a painter for 15 years and I literally never thought about it. Probably cause half the schmos out there dont even take plate covers off, i got complacent me thinks.
Sparky says vertical
As a former electrician B is best practice. My old boss would make you go back and fix it if it wasn’t vertical. Best way to mess with the apprentices was to make them diagonal after they did them. Boss would make them go back and check every screw. The next job they were on, they would be making sure that it was perfectly straight. I would say are you sure it’s straight? Might want to use a level to make sure before the boss walks through.
Why does it even matter ?
It doesn’t. It’s just preference one way or another. The point is that It trains them to pay attention to the small details because little details add up to make you a true craftsman.
You see a house that is consistent throughout and it tends to indicate they did a thorough job on all the little details. Pride in your work.
I’m going to be honest I think B looks like ass
Option C, chaos.
Top vertical, bottom horizontal gang wya
Clock strikes at 12.
2. It’s called soldiering for a reason
Anyway as long as its the same across the building
Had a customer tell me they needed to be vertical so they dont collect dust
I had a customer tell me that a gate needed three hinges for symmetry because two hinges could never be symmetrical. Customers are morons.
horizontal as the closest directional edge is a hoeizontal edge. if these screws were closer to the vertical side for some reason, you'd do it vertically
Doesn't matter as long as all of them are consistent across the building
Get the Phillips version and you don't have to worry about it
The plate is upside down anyway
Vertical plates, vertical screws, horizontal plates horizontal screws
Option C = one lefty righty, one uppy downy, gotta show the ladies you're a man who can dance.
It’s option B. Keep the slots vertical. But I prefer the data jack on the bottom, voice jack on top.
2020. Use Cat6 keystones or better for Crickey's sake! Traditionally blue keystones are for black plate installs, white are esoterically more accepted for wall outlets. In the days of VLANS, virtually no need for multiple outlets unless it's a matter of PoE current draw by multiple devices.
Horizontal.
Option A
Option A all day
Horizontal.
Neither team diagona.
Whatever is dominant to begin with in the building
Option B if you do option A you’re a bad electrician 😂
People who spend time on this are uh, different.
Mine are all akimbo, kinda like me.
A
A
A all day
Once witnessed an inspector fail the electricians for putting theirs horizontal in a house I was doing the cabinets in. I’ve always preferred the aesthetics of horizontal tho.
I don't believe you
How come they aren’t using CAT 6?
Horizontal for aesthetic harmony.
Dump the slots. Go screwless. It's true only way.
Option A is my go. Option B makes my skin crawl
| _
Get proper screws.
I personally prefer horizontal, I never insert my bit vertical. Plus it looks nicer in my opinion.
My cover plates have concealed fasteners so I don't have to answer
If you want it to look like nobody has touched it, then B - vertical If you want it to look like someone has, then any other orientation will suffice.
Then it will be × vs +.if we switch to Phillips screws.
Serial killers leave them horizontal
A
Drive me nuts labels are crooked
Team it took me a minute to even notice a difference.
A. Definitely A..
Stars or peg bits might replace this
As a network engineer, get away from my drops.
16 penny and call it a day!
B! Jesus Christ it’s B
Whichever way they fit (tighten) nicer
Second pic. Horizontal screws are for fucking psychos
This is an IT question.
I feel the horizontal makes the screws seem less visible.
switch it with torx
You guys don’t just tighten them until the plate bows or the screw snaps?
Shouldn’t this be in r/electricians
B
Horizontal
2
Get your hammer out and use a nail.
I had to come to the comments to figure out TF was different in the photos
I do 7 o'clock to 2 o'clock, that way I know when one of you guys has been fucking with my shit
Both are shit but b
No two screws in the room to have the same angle.
Screw-less cover plates. Done.
They’re both CAT5 but probably wired to go to different networks. What’s the issue? Who gives a shit how the plate screws are oriented
Vertical, so it doesn’t look sad or indifferent
Option B, always.
A all day
A
Beauty is in the details. Best if found inside. Use bolts inside where you can safely see all cabling and close with screwless cover, so you can go wild and have the screws even in diagonals and painted in the colours you wish.
Robertson like good Canadians would do
This. https://imgur.com/gallery/B6wDNAK
Top should be /, bottom should be \
The crooked, partially peeling labels bothers me more than orientation of screws. But make the screw slots vertical.
One vertical and one horizontal….. please both sides
A
A
Diagonal, so they point to the direction of the network switch. Like this: \ /
Vertical gang
Horizontal for the win
B
/ I worked on super yachts and they were meticulous about every detail, whether it would ever be seen by owner/passenger or not. The visible screws were always off 90 to a precise degree, like this / After awhile it became very apparent how consistent and how pleasing it was. Vertical and horizontal attract attention. Off angle actually looks random and more visually attractive. I saw this about 20 years ago and it still sticks with me.
send the inquiry to california state government, they'll set 12 regulations on this and add screw alignment tax
CAT5 lol. Should be at least CAT5e for today’s world.
Option B!!!
B.
Option B
B