Matt42
newbie
Reged: 01/18/05
Posts: 23
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I need to replace a 24 year old GFI outlet in my bathroom and also add a new duplex outlet downstream. The only new GFI outlets I can find easily are made in China. Apart from geo-economic reluctance, I am not pleased with the idea of using Chinese-made GFI or overcurrent devices, even if UL listed. (I am in Arizona.) Is any brand still made in the US or Canada? Mexico would be a lame third choice. Thanks.
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MCA
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/09/06
Posts: 2609
Loc: Illinois
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I would like to find one too. It seems like the quality of construction of the devices went down since they started making them in China. When I tighten the screws it feels like the whole thing is going to break. I have 8 GFCI's, they were made in the USA in the 90's. I only had to replace one so far. The one I replaced it with (made in China) went out after a year, and the other one I put in (made in China)went out in another year, while all the older USA made ones are still working. It seems like they have all been made in China for the past several years, and they still cost the consumers the same as the US made ones did.
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EAP
Mister ED
Reged: 09/23/03
Posts: 9582
Loc: The HEARTland - Ohio
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I recently picked up three Decora switches from PASS & SEYMOUR. Also picked up a 10pack box of receptacles. I checked the receptacles and MADE IN THE USA. 
I forgot to check the switches assuming  they too were made here. Well I installed them and 2 outta three ain't bad. One of those chinese ones slipped through. 
Perhaps some are still made around here from P&S? Just a guess? What about Mexico? Did not Leviton models come from there?
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Ain't no cure for the summertime HOTS
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MCA
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/09/06
Posts: 2609
Loc: Illinois
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I'm glad to see that some receptacles and switches are still made here. And the price to the consumers is the same for the US made ones as the foreign made ones. I seem to remember seeing Leviton GFCI's made in Mexico a few years ago. The quality of everything seems to have been going down, which coincides with the outsourcing of manufacturing to low wage countries. It seems like most electronic devices (AFCI's GFCI's etc.) come from China, and heavier equipment such as panels and regular breakers are comming from Mexico, although alot are still made here. Ballasts used to be all made here, I remember the first time I seen made in Mexico on a box for a ballast, it was a $130 sign ballast, as soon as I unfolded the wires 3 of them broke right off right where they emerge from the housing. And the Chinese made motion sensor lights don't seem to least for more than a few years. I had some switches break right apart in my hand when I was tightening the screws. As far as the GFCI's, due to the fairly high probability of fauilure they are now required to contain a fail-safe cut out, so if the protection breaks down then the receptacle will not be powered, but even the fail-safe mechanism can fail.
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