CURRENT INDUSTRIAL REPORTS United States Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration Bureau of the Census WIRING DEVICES AND SUPPLIES - 1996 MA36K(96)-1 Issued SEPTEMBER 1997 Information about the scope of the survey, methodology, explanation of terms and historical notes for this survey may be found in the 1995 Manufacturing Profiles issued June 1997. These data are also available through the U.S. Department of Commerce and STAT-USA Electronic Bulletin Board by subscription. To access, dial 202-482-3870 and follow the prompts to register; or call 202-482-1986, for further information. INQUIRIES - Address inquiries concerning these data to U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Manufacturing and Construction Division, Washington, DC 20233 or call J. Christian Savage (301)457-1307. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS During 1996, manufacturers' shipments of wiring devices and supplies totaled $9.1 billion, an increase of 4 percent from $8.7 billion in 1995. Current carrying wiring devices accounted for $5 billion, an increase of 6 percent from $4.7 billion in 1995, while the noncurrent-carrying wiring devices accounted for $4.1 billion, an increase of 4 percent from $3.9 billion in 1995. The 1996 shipments included lampholders, valued at $204.1 million, up 1 percent from $201.1 million in 1995; convenience and power outlets, valued at $430.9 million, up 15 percent from $364.0 million in 1995; switches, valued at $1.6 billion, unchanged from 1995; metal contacts valued at $275.3 million, up 6 percent from $259.4 million in 1995; wire connectors, valued at $1.3 billion, up 8 percent from $1.2 billion in 1995; other current-carrying wiring devices valued at $1.2 billion, up 11 percent from $1.0 billion in 1995; pole line and transmission hardware, valued $765.8 million, up 12 percent from $672.8 million in 1995; electrical conduit and conduit fittings, valued at $2.0 billion unchanged from 1995; and other noncurrent-carrying wiring devices, valued at $1.3 billion, up 6 percent from $1.2 billion in 1995. Table 1. Value of Shipments of Wiring Devices and Supplies by Class of Product 1986 to 1996 [Millions of current dollars] Product code Product description 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 3643 Current-carrying wiring devices..... 5,047.3 4,771.7 4,421.7 4,086.6 4,153.6 3,939.3 3,857.8 4,031.4 3,921.9 3,663.6 36431 Lampholders........................ 204.1 201.1 211.3 210.4 197.3 214.7 230.0 240.3 226.6 218.4 36432 Convenience and power outlets, both general and special purpose, excluding pin and sleeve type..... 430.9 364.0 340.8 313.8 332.0 308.6 287.0 301.2 304.3 290.6 36433 Switches for electrical circuitry.. 1,606.3 1,623.0 1,525.7 1,473.9 1,423.5 1,310.4 1,348.6 1,376.6 1,524.6 1,425.2 36434 Metal contacts precious and other.. 275.3 259.4 244.9 208.0 240.1 332.3 317.4 375.4 201.8 176.6 36435 Wire connectors for electrical circuitry......................... 1,296.4 1,193.6 1,081.6 976.0 1,007.3 915.8 844.3 857.2 842.0 794.6 36436 Other current-carrying wiring devices, including attachment plug caps, connector bodies, lightning arrestors, and pin and sleeve convenience power outlets......... 1,234.1 1,130.4 1,017.5 904.4 953.3 857.6 830.4 884.2 822.6 758.2 3644 Noncurrent-carrying wiring devices.. 4,070.8 3,915.0 3,622.4 3,250.7 3,140.4 2,930.3 3,095.8 3,114.7 3,212.1 2,791.1 36441 Pole line and transmission hardware 765.9 672.8 641.1 618.0 541.6 493.6 516.5 525.5 455.3 384.6 36442 Electrical conduit and conduit fittings.......................... 2,031.7 2,049.9 1,865.5 1,633.9 1,601.1 1,496.5 1,657.7 1,664.7 1,833.9 1,528.6 36443 Other noncurrent-carrying wiring devices and supplies.............. 1,273.1 1,192.4 1,115.8 998.7 997.7 940.1 921.6 924.5 923.0 877.9 Table 2. Quantity and Value of Shipments of Wiring Devices and Supplies: 1996 and 1995 [Quantity in 1,000 units. Value in $1,000] Number 1996 1995 of Product Product description com- Quan- code panies Quantity Value tity Value Wiring devices and supplies.............. (X) (X) 9,118,141 (X) 8,686,725 3643 Current-carrying wiring devices......... (X) (X) 5,047,385 (X) 4,771,688 36431 -- Lampholders............................ 28 b/694,749 b/204,112 694,040 201,181 Incandescent: 36431 04 Push through and pull types, all materials, threaded, medium base only (excluding outlet box type and socket interiors) 1/........... 4 (D) (D) (D) (D) 36431 03 Outlet box, threaded, medium base only, pull and keyless types....... 8 19,736 21,136 19,605 20,730 36431 06 Weatherproof, threaded, medium base only............................... 8 3,769 4,227 3,828 4,791 36431 11 Candelabra base, all types........... 10 c/50,342 b/10,608 r/48,742 r/10,159 36431 13 Sign and fixture, medium base only... 7 b/22,367 b/21,030 18,077 16,583 36431 19 All other incandescent, medium, admedium, intermediate, lumiline, miniature, (including but not limited to pin-type, cleat, hasp, and socket interiors sold seperately, all bases 1/............ 18 c/309,474 c/90,716 c r/335,150 c r/93,060 Fluorescent: 36431 15 Bi-pin............................... 8 b/242,752 b/31,856 220,414 28,208 36431 21 Slimline............................. 5 16,563 6,180 17,073 6,532 36431 23 Recessed double contact.............. 6 b/12,796 b/9,037 12,555 9,219 36431 25 All other fluorescent, including but not limited to circlene, panelescent and starter holders..... 6 a/13,193 a/5,757 12,470 5,563 36431 28 All other lampholders,including cold cathode neon, and bases for quartz lamps............................... 6 a/3,757 b/3,565 b/6,126 c/6,336 36432 -- Convenience and power outlets, both general and special purpose, excluding pin and sleeve type................... 16 261,866 430,980 241,456 364,027 36432 27 Receptacles with GFIC (all types, all amperages)........................... 5 24,408 166,888 18,320 125,046 Receptacles without GFIC: 36432 28 2-pole, 2-wire (flush, all types)..... 7 3,487 2,215 3,046 1,863 2-pole, 3-wire and up (flush): 36432 29 Locking, 15 amperes and under 2/..... 6 (D) (D) (D) (D) 36432 30 Locking, 20 amperes and over......... 6 4,396 a/24,428 3,492 16,644 36432 31 Nonlocking, 15 amperes and under..... 5 80,446 57,853 77,415 54,142 36432 32 Nonlocking, 20 amperes and over...... 7 26,379 49,383 23,183 43,858 36432 34 Appliance and special applications all amperages, all types................. 5 b/26,065 b/9,013 17,888 7,012 36432 39 All other types, including dust and explosion proof, surface and 2-pole/2-wire 2/..................... 10 96,685 121,200 98,112 115,462 36433 -- Switches for electrical circuitry...... 79 840,220 1,606,306 848,396 1,623,048 General use flush-mounted switches, designed for mounting in switch or outlet boxes, except dimmers: A.C., except mercury: 36433 60 Single pole, 15 amperes and under.... 8 94,848 67,534 78,909 56,679 36433 63 Single pole, over 15 amperes......... 6 8,038 a/22,447 8,804 20,138 36433 64 Other than single pole, including but not limited to double pole 3-way, 4-way............................... 8 a/45,178 72,373 40,975 66,928 36433 51 A.C.-D.C., except mercury 3/.......... 4 (D) (D) (D) (D) 36433 69 All other general use switches, including surface mounted, mercury, etc. 3/.............................. 8 22,059 19,749 18,134 17,651 Special purpose switches: 36433 70 Appliance and fixture, including pendant and canopy types and variable speed controls............. 21 107,240 139,288 r/95,227 r/144,161 36433 71 Precision (1/8" gap or less) snap- acting switches, excluding limit switches............................ 10 a/82,071 a/51,315 a/95,393 a/55,454 36433 72 Aircraft types....................... 9 2,874 83,879 2,819 80,657 36433 76 Automotive types..................... 26 290,043 789,423 r/320,654 r/836,773 36433 77 All other special purpose switches (including foot actuated), light sensing and signal............ 29 178,981 278,377 179,426 259,447 Dimmers: Incandescent: 36433 93 Infinitely variable, 600 watts or less............................... 10 b/6,512 a/36,747 6,044 r/31,654 36433 94 Infinitely variable, over 600 watts. 9 a/345 a/10,661 a/331 18,306 36433 95 All other types, including but not limited to portable lamps and high-low switches................... 8 2,031 b/34,513 1,680 a/35,200 36434 -- Metal contacts, precious and other..... 16 c/18,110,433 a/275,391 18,209,820 259,426 36435-- Wire connectors, including connectors used under national electrical application........................... 65 29,861,648 1,296,450 27869,005 1,193,591 36435 82 Pressure connectors, where pressure is applied by screw, cone, or other mechanical device................... 28 614,816 175,154 611,692 156,969 36435 83 Compression connectors, uninsulated terminals and splicers, tool installed........................... 28 b/3,181,706 a/174,918 b/2,681,275 a/151,267 36435 84 Preinsulated terminals and splicers, tool installed..................... 18 a/1,881,171 a/186,958 a/1,634,457 a/164,135 36435 86 Banded or strip terminals and splicers, machine installed......... 16 6,561,783 152,382 6,788,937 155,645 36435 87 Pigtail connectors, including wire nuts................................ 16 3,180,380 a/79,916 2,908,297 a/75,202 36435 88 Blade or pin type, separable terminations and splicers........... 12 a/4,984,931 169,375 4,638,321 151,873 36435 89 Other wire connectors n.e.c., including solder type............... 28 9,456,861 357,747 8,606,026 r/338,500 36436 -- Other current-carrying wiring devices, including attachment plug caps, connector bodies, lightening arrestors, pin and sleeve convenience power outlets, etc........ 126 (X) 1,234,146 (X) 1,130,415 Attachment plug caps and flanged outlets (including motor bases), all types (including fused, fuseless, switch, and switchless): 36436 40 2-pole, 2-wire, all types, general use locking and nonlocking, all amperages........................... 15 c/36,409 b/15,139 c/46,569 16,153 2-pole, 3-wire and up: 36436 41 Locking, 15 amperes and under....... 9 b/2,600 b/6,516 2,406 5,860 36436 42 Locking, 20 amperes and over........ 9 a/2,305 a/19,618 2,310 17,566 36436 43 Nonlocking, 15 amperes and under.... 12 21,604 a/35,348 22,127 38,383 36436 44 Nonlocking, 20 amperes and over..... 12 9,464 21,184 9,670 20,745 36436 45 All other types, except pin and sleeve, including dust and explosion proof, appliance and other special application......................... 10 2,480 37,090 2,725 37,823 Connector bodies and flanged outlets, all types: 36436 49 2-pole, 2-wire, all types, all amperages........................... 12 b/3,082 b/2,250 a/2,991 2,124 2-pole, 3-wire and up: 36436 51 Locking, 15 amperes and under....... 10 2,189 15,555 2,073 12,649 36436 53 Locking, 20 amperes and over........ 10 a/1,269 b/20,044 941 14,986 36436 55 Nonlocking, 15 amperes and under.... 12 a/6,198 b/24,577 5,360 20,484 36436 57 Nonlocking, 20 amperes and over..... 8 811 a/ 4,496 676 4,576 36436 58 All other types, excluding pin and sleeve, including dust and explosion proof, appliance, and special application......................... 9 43,760 37,542 41,156 33,477 Pin and sleeve convenience and power outlets, attachment plug caps and connector bodies: Pin and sleeve, general purpose (120 volts and over, 20 amperes and over): 36436 65 Convenience and power outlets....... 11 b/1,175 b/38,446 963 33,140 36436 67 Attachment plug caps................ 9 b/345 a/21,761 318 19,561 36436 69 Connector bodies.................... 10 a/482 a/25,942 438 23,591 36436 72 All other pin and sleeve, including dust and explosion proof, 20 amp. types, etc. 4/...................... 6 (D) (D) (D) (D) 36436 79 Fluorescent starters.................. 5 8,358 2,228 9,469 2,324 36436 81 Terminal blocks....................... 22 a/158,831 a/144,216 157,468 127,408 36436 83 Lightning arrestors for alternating current power transmission systems and substations; U.S. designation, station and intermediate, I.E.C. designation 10KA and 5KA Series A.... 7 (X) 35,884 (X) 32,633 36436 85 Lightning arrestors for alternating current power distribution systems and substations; U.S. designation distribution and secondary I.E.C. designation 5KA Series B, 2.5KA and 1.5KA............................ 6 (X) 131,722 (X) 121,988 36436 88 Surge suppressors, designed for equipment operating on 110/120 volt circuits............................. 12 (X) b/110,575 (X) 90,404 36436 91 Lightning rods ....................... 14 (X) a/49,687 (X) 39,863 36436 94 Electric harnesses and assemblies, excluding engine harnesses (from purchased wire)................ 19 (X) b/166,496 (X) a/155,481 36436 98 All other wiring devices with integral ground fault circuit interrupting capabilities, excluding circuit breakers............................. 5 c/6,938 b/7,614 7,356 9,897 36436 97 Miscellaneous, including combination devices, adapters, current taps, surface extensions, rosettes, choke coils, rail bonds, and overhead trolley line materials 4/............ 40 (X) 260,216 (X) 249,299 3644- -- Noncurrent-carrying wiring devices...... (X) (X) 4,070,756 (X) r/3,915,037 36441 -- Pole and transmission line hardware.... 36 (X) b/765,852 (X) 672,826 36441 12 Pole and transmission line construction materials, also known as overhead and underground line hardware for electric transmission, distribution, and communication lines.............. 29 (X) b/609,709 (X) r/536,712 36441 13 Pole and transmission line anchors.... 5 (X) 15,719 (X) 16,509 36441 19 All other pole and transmission line hardware............................. 12 (X) b/140,424 (X) 119,605 36442 -- Electrical conduit and conduit fittings 76 (X) 2,031,734 (X) r/2,049,858 Rigid metal conduit, excluding couplings bends, and elbows: 36442 01 Standard weights (steel)(short tons) 5/........................... 6 b/258,609 b/253,371 262,693 b/260,834 36442 05 Other metallic conduit (short tons) 5/........................... 2 (D) (D) (D) (D) 36442 24 Nonmetallic conduit (1,000 lbs.)...... 7 a/727,560 a/304,871 a/649,234 a/312,794 36442 27 Electrical metallic tubing (short tons)................................ 5 385,847 328,907 381,441 328,194 36442 33 Flexible steel and aluminum conduit (1,000 feet)......................... 10 293,197 89,208 282,199 87,564 36442 32 Flexible nonmetallic conduit (1,000 pounds).............................. 12 47,364 48,522 c/45,744 42,789 36442 35 Raceways and wire ways, including fittings, metal...................... 14 (X) 171,789 (X) 156,923 36442 38 Ventilated cable tray and accessories. 5 (X) 55,772 (X) b/62,009 36442 51 Cast conduit bodies, covers, and gaskets.............................. 10 (X) a/121,912 (X) 123,883 Rigid conduit fittings, including couplings, nipples, bends, and elbows: 36442 53 Couplings, connectors, and unions.... 17 (X) b/140,537 (X) 141,356 36442 54 Locknuts and bushings................ 9 (X) a/24,225 (X) 38,305 36442 59 All other rigid conduit fittings..... 6 (X) b/36,302 (X) 36,721 36442 52 Nonmetallic conduit fittings......... 14 (X) 53,087 (X) 50,876 EMT fittings (couplings and connectors): 36442 56 Gland type........................... 12 (X) b/34,356 (X) 42,221 36442 57 Set-screw type....................... 9 (X) 31,661 (X) 41,707 36442 58 All others........................... 9 (X) b/9,187 (X) 10,414 36442 44 Service entrance caps, ells, and connectors........................... 12 (X) 11,097 (X) 13,265 Cable, cord, and flexible conduit fittings: 36442 71 Armored cable, metallic sheathed cable, and flexible conduit fittings. 13 (X) 194,655 (X) 157,632 36442 77 Liquid-tight flexible conduit fittings............................ 9 (X) 54,191 (X) 63,170 36442 72 Nonmetallic sheathed cable and cord fittings............................ 17 (X) a/37,376 (X) 40,779 36442 46 Other electric conduit fittings...... 17 (X) 30,708 (X) 38,422 36443 -- Other noncurrent-carrying wiring devices and supplies.................. 77 (X) 1,273,170 (X) 1,192,353 Stamped metal boxes, covers, and accessories, including stamped conduit boxes: 36443 31 Switch and receptacle boxes.......... 13 (X) 384,006 (X) 355,299 36443 32 Outlet boxes......................... 10 (X) 103,185 (X) 93,913 36443 33 Covers............................... 13 (X) 51,674 (X) 47,879 36443 34 Supports, bar hangers, and other accessories......................... 16 (X) 61,575 (X) 56,941 Cast metal boxes, covers, gaskets, and accessories: 36443 41 FS and FD switch and receptacle type. 11 (X) 19,857 (X) 26,399 36443 42 Outlet type.......................... 8 (X) 45,675 (X) r/49,459 36443 43 Junction type........................ 15 (X) c/67,381 (X) 74,363 Switch, outlet, FM/TV, and telephone wall plates: 36443 35 Metallic............................. 8 44,430 24,968 42,537 21,093 36443 36 Nonmetallic.......................... 9 314,502 71,061 247,794 55,708 36443 37 Plastic boxes and covers.............. 16 (X) 140,818 (X) 129,755 36443 38 Floor boxes and covers................ 9 (X) a/48,294 (X) r/43,170 36443 48 Other noncurrent carrying wiring devices and supplies................. 31 (X) 254,676 (X) r/238,374 n.e.c. Not elsewhere classified. D Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. r/ Revised by 5 percent or more from previously data. X Not applicable. 1/ Product codes 3643104 and 3643119 are combined for 1996 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 2/ Product codes 3643229 and 3643239 are combined to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 3/ Product codes 3643351 and 3643369 are combined to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 4/ Product codes 3643672 and 3643697 are combined to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 5/ Product codes 3644201 and 3644205 are combined for 1996 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. Note: The percent of estimation of each item is indicated as follows (see "Description of Survey" for a discussion of estimation of missing reports): a/ 10 to 25 percent of this item is estimated. b/ 25 to 50 percent of this item is estimated. c/ Over 50 percent of this item is estimated. Table 3. Value of Shipments, Exports, and Imports of Selected Wiring Devices: 1996 and 1995 [Millions of Dollars] Manufac- turers' Exports of Imports shipments domestic for Product f.o.b. merchandise consump- description plant (1) at port(1)(2) tion(1) (3) 1996 Lampholders......... 204.1 16.7 66.2 Metal contacts...... 275.3 91.4 54.9 1995 Lampholders......... 202.5 14.2 62.2 Metal contacts...... 259.4 40.4 50.7 1/ For comparison of SIC codes with Schedule B export numbers and HTSUSA import numbers, see table 4. 2/ Source: Bureau of the Census report EM 545, U.S. Exports. 3/ Source: Bureau of the Census report IM 145, U.S. Imports for Consumption. Table 4. Comparison of Standard Industrial Classification- Based Product Codes with Schedule B Export Numbers and HTSUSA Import Numbers: 1996 Product Product description Export Import code number/1 number/2 36431 00 Lampholders......... 8536.61.0000 8536.61.0000 36434 00 Metal contacts...... 8538.90.8040 8538.90.8040 36433 60 Switches, other than *8536.50.0060 *8536.50.0060 36433 63 dimmers............. *8535.30.0040 *8535.30.0040 36433 64 36433 51 36433 69 36433 70 36433 71 36433 72 36433 76 36433 77 36433 93 Dimmer switches..... *8533.39.0040 *8533.39.0040 36433 94 36433 95 36435 00 Wire connectors..... *8536.69.0060 *8536.69.0060 36442 00 Conduit fittings.... *8547.90.0020 *8547.90.0020 *8547.90.0030 *8547.90.0030 *8547.90.0040 *8547.90.0040 * This code is partially correlated with the products described. 1/ Source: Harmonized System-Based Schedule B, Statistical Classification of Domestic and Foreign Commodities Exported from the United States. 2/ Source: Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, Annotated. her electric conduit fittings...... 17 (X) 30,708 (X) 38,422 36443 -