Current Industrial Reports U. S. Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration Bureau of the Census Wiring Devices and Supplies - 1997 MA36K(97)-1 Issued July 29, 1998 Information about the scope of the survey, methodology, explanation of terms, and historical notes for this survey may be found in the introduction of 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. Also you may call 202-482-1986 or 1-800-STAT-USA, for further information. The Internet address is: stat-usa.gov/. For mail or fax copies of the publication, contact the Manufacturing and Construction Division Information Center, 301-457-4673. Address inquiries concerning these data to U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Manufacturing and Construction Division, Washington, DC 20233, or call Zoraida Arledge, 301-457-4800. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS During 1997, manufacturers' shipments of wiring devices and supplies totaled $9.2 billion, an increase of 4.9 percent from $8.8 billion in 1996. Current- carrying wiring devices accounted for $4.9 billion, an increase of 1.4 percent from $4.8 billion in 1996, while the noncurrent-carrying wiring devices accounted for $4.3 billion, an increase of 9.1 percent from $4.0 billion in 1996. The 1997 shipments included lampholders, valued at $193.3 million, up 0.3 percent from $192.6 million in 1996; convenience and power outlets, valued at $411.1 million, up 9.5 percent from $375.4 million in 1996; switches, valued at $1.6 billion, unchanged from 1996; metal contacts valued at $211.5 million, a decrease of 11.6 percent from $239.2 million in 1996; wire connectors, valued at $1.3 billion, up 3.4 percent from $1.2 billion in 1996; other current- carrying wiring devices valued at $1.2 billion, unchanged from 1996; pole line and transmission hardware, valued at $738.2 million, up 4.8 percent from $704.1 million in 1996; electrical conduit and conduit fittings, valued at $2.2 billion, up 11.2 percent from $2.0 billion in 1996; and other noncurrent- carrying devices, valued at $1.4 billion, up 8.2 percent from $1.3 billion in 1996. Table 1. Value of Shipments of Wiring Devices and Supplies by Class of Product 1988 to 1997 [Millions of dollars] Product code Product description 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 3643 Current-carrying wiring devices......... 4,906 4,836 4,772 4,422 4,087 4,154 3,939 3,858 4,031 3,922 36431 Lampholders........................... 193 193 201 211 210 197 215 230 240 227 36432 Convenience and power outlets, both general and special purpose, excluding pin and sleeve type........ 411 375 364 341 314 332 309 287 301 304 36433 Switches for electrical circuitry..... 1,612 1,612 1,623 1,526 1,474 1,424 1,310 1,349 1,377 1,525 36434 Metal contacts precious and other..... 212 239 259 245 208 240 332 317 375 202 36435 Wire connectors for electrical circuitry............................ 1,278 1,235 1,194 1,082 976 1,007 916 844 857 842 36436 Other current-carrying wiring devices, including attachment plug caps, connector bodies, lightning arrestors, and pin and sleeve convenience power outlets............ 1,200 1,182 1,130 1,018 904 953 858 830 884 823 3644 Noncurrent-carrying wiring devices...... 4,298 3,938 3,915 3,622 3,251 3,140 2,930 3,096 3,115 3,212 36441 Pole line and transmission hardware... 738 704 673 641 618 542 494 517 526 455 36442 Electrical conduit and conduit fittings............................. 2,181 1,960 2,050 1,866 1,634 1,601 1,497 1,658 1,665 1,834 36443 Other noncurrent-carrying wiring devices and supplies................. 1,379 1,274 1,192 1,116 999 998 940 922 925 923 Table 2. Quantity and Value of Shipments of Wiring Devices and Supplies: 1997 and 1996 [Quantity in thousands of units. Value in thousands of dollars] No. 1997 1996 Product Product description of code cos. Quantity Value Quantity Value Wiring devices and supplies................ (X) (X) 9,203,762 (X) 8,775,627 Current-carrying wiring devices.......... (X) (X) 4,905,276 (X) 4,836,822 36431 -- Lampholders............................ 27 506,551 193,270 r/ 511,028 r/ 192,623 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...... 4 18,281 19,934 r/ 18,195 r/ 19,617 36431 06 Weatherproof, threaded, medium base only......................... 6 3,578 3,839 3,619 r/ 3,737 36431 11 Candelabra base, all types......... 10 18,469 6,433 r/ 25,255 r/ 9,057 36431 13 Sign and fixture, medium base only. 7 20,076 18,905 r/ 21,101 r/ 19,429 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/.......... 14 152,530 82,700 r/ 160,949 r/ 82,184 Fluorescent: 36431 15 Bi-pin............................. 8 244,568 32,758 234,134 31,446 36431 21 Slimline 2/........................ 5 (D) (D) (D) (D) 36431 23 Recessed double contact 2/......... 4 (D) (D) (D) (D) 36431 25 All other fluorescent, including but not limited to circlene, panelescent and starter holders 2/.......................... 5 42,998 21,398 41,411 20,900 36431 28 All other lampholders,including cold cathode neon and bases for quartz lamps........................ 5 6,051 7,303 r/ 6,364 r/ 6,253 36432 -- Convenience and power outlets, both general and special purpose, excluding pin and sleeve type......... 13 253,216 411,078 263,782 r/ 375,440 36432 27 Receptacles with GFIC (all types, all amperages)...................... 4 23,085 161,723 r/ 20,193 r/ 139,001 Receptacles without GFIC: 36432 28 2-pole, 2-wire (flush, all types) 3/......................... 5 (D) (D) (D) (D) 2-pole, 3-wire and up (flush): 36432 29 Locking, 15 amperes and under 4/. 4 (D) (D) (D) (D) 36432 30 Locking, 20 amperes and over 4/.. 5 89,643 64,319 90,467 r/ 60,674 36432 31 Nonlocking, 15 amperes and under. 5 82,991 61,824 80,404 57,187 36432 32 Nonlocking, 20 amperes and over.. 7 28,760 54,272 26,250 49,060 36432 34 Appliance and special applications all amperages, all types.......... 4 16,443 6,840 b/ 33,720 b/r/ 10,511 36432 39 All other types, including dust and explosion proof, surface and 2-pole/2-wire 3/.................. 8 12,294 62,100 r/ 12,748 r/ 59,007 36433 -- Switches for electrical circuitry...... 78 879,704 1,611,934 830,020 1,612,420 General use flush-mounted switches, designed for mounting in switch or outlet boxes (except dimmers): Ac (except mercury): 36433 60 Single pole, 15 amperes and under .......................... 8 84,173 63,879 r/ 83,089 r/ 59,811 36433 63 Single pole, over 15 amperes..... 6 9,354 24,673 7,978 21,889 36433 64 Other than single pole, includ- ing but not limited to double pole 3-way, 4-way............... 7 b/ 47,345 80,291 b/r/ 41,738 r/ 67,602 36433 51 Ac-dc (except mercury) 5/.......... 3 (D) (D) (D) (D) 36433 69 All other general use switches, including surface mounted, mercury, etc. 5/.................. 9 16,578 23,926 r/ 18,861 r/ 23,077 Special purpose switches: 36433 70 Appliance and fixture, including pendant and canopy types and variable speed controls........... 18 95,335 144,250 r/ 99,406 142,399 36433 71 Precision (1/8" gap or less) snap-acting switches, excluding limit switches.................... 9 78,929 53,395 82,790 49,243 36433 72 Aircraft types 6/.................. 9 (D) (D) (D) (D) 36433 76 Automotive types................... 25 339,807 732,962 290,810 786,153 36433 77 All other special purpose switches, including foot actuated, light sensing and signal actuated 6/.... 28 199,515 403,250 r/ 196,856 r/ 382,167 Dimmers: Incandescent: 36433 93 Infinitely variable, 600 watts or less......................... 10 b/ 6,697 a/ 38,453 b/ 6,512 a/ 36,747 36433 94 Infinitely variable, over 600 watts........................... 9 a/ 263 a/ 11,817 a/r/ 245 a/ 10,661 36433 95 All other types, including but not limited to portable lamps and high-low switches................. 9 a/ 1,708 b/ 35,038 a/ 1,735 b/r/ 32,671 36434 -- Metal contacts, precious and other... 15 (S) 211,512 r/ (S) r/ 239,200 36435 -- Wire connectors, including connectors used under national electrical application......................... 67 32,068,546 1,277,513 30,877,677 1,235,224 36435 82 Pressure connectors, where pressure is applied by screw, cone, or mechanical device................. 27 1,353,392 173,028 r/ 1,231,990 r/ 192,188 36435 83 Compression connectors, uninsulated terminals and splicers, tool installed......................... 28 3,432,656 148,853 3,196,301 r/ 140,338 36435 84 Preinsulated terminals and splicers, tool installed.......... 17 a/ 1,787,156 a/ 172,297 a/ 1,880,500 188,568 36435 86 Banded or strip terminals and splicers, machine installed....... 14 6,170,195 150,252 6,945,012 149,926 36435 87 Pigtail connectors, including wire nuts 7/...................... 13 (D) (D) (D) (D) 36435 88 Blade or pin type, separable (D) (D) (D) (D) terminations and splicers 7/...... 12 (D) (D) (D) (D) 36435 89 Other wire connectors, n.e.c., including solder type 7/.......... 31 19,325,147 633,083 17,623,874 r/ 564,204 36436 -- Other current-carrying wiring devices, including attachment plug caps, connector bodies, lightening arrestors, pin and sleeve convenience power outlets, etc...... 120 (X) 1,199,969 (X) r/1,181,915 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 non- locking, all amperages.......... 13 a/ 24,732 12,917 r/ 24,061 r/ 13,098 2-pole, 3-wire and up: 36436 41 Locking, 15 amperes and under.. 8 2,327 6,402 r/ 2,347 6,289 36436 42 Locking, 20 amperes and over... 7 2,195 a/ 18,932 r/ 1,946 r/ 17,073 36436 43 Nonlocking, 15 amperes and under 8/...................... 11 (D) (D) (D) (D) 36436 44 Nonlocking, 20 amperes and over 8/....................... 10 47,065 b/ 69,378 r/ 28,853 r/ 48,902 36436 45 All other types, (except pin and sleeve), including dust and explosion proof, appliance and other special application......... 10 2,124 36,275 2,480 37,087 Connector bodies and flanged outlets, all types: 36436 49 2-pole, 2-wire, all types, all amperages......................... 8 c/ 2,252 b/ 2,076 a/r/ 2,104 a/r/ 1,915 2-pole, 3-wire and up: 36436 51 Locking, 15 amperes and under.... 9 2,481 20,320 r/ 2,059 r/ 14,337 36436 53 Locking, 20 amperes and over..... 10 1,159 a/ 16,475 r/ 1,050 r/ 15,149 36436 55 Nonlocking, 15 amperes and under. 11 a/ 5,326 a/ 19,589 r/ 5,196 r/ 18,726 36436 57 Nonlocking, 20 amperes and over 9/......................... 8 (D) (D) (D) (D) 36436 58 All other types, excluding pin and sleeve, including dust and explosion proof, appliance, and special application 9/............ 8 35,834 38,231 44,631 41,254 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 10/..................... 9 (D) (D) (D) (D) 36436 67 Attachment plug caps............. 9 245 19,553 r/ 226 r/ 18,094 36436 69 Connector bodies................. 8 450 23,943 r/ 382 r/ 20,308 36436 72 All other pin and sleeve, including dust and explosion proof 20 amp. types, etc. 10/..... 6 1,348 36,736 r/ 1,200 r/ 34,347 36436 79 Fluorescent starters................... 5 8,347 2,016 8,538 2,228 36436 81 Terminal blocks........................ 20 125,321 128,272 r/ 146,842 r/ 122,560 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..... 6 (X) 29,372 (X) 35,884 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............................. 5 (X) 139,953 (X) r/ 124,466 36436 88 Surge suppressors, designed for equipment operating on 110/120 volt circuits......................... 12 (X) 117,468 (X) 112,357 36436 91 Lightning rods ........................ 12 (X) a/ 50,929 (X) a/ 49,687 36436 94 Electric harnesses and assemblies, excluding engine harnesses (from purchased wire)................. 19 (X) 126,795 (X) r/ 135,944 36436 98 All other wiring devices with integral ground fault circuit interrupting capabilities, excluding circuit breakers 11/........ 5 (D) (D) (D) (D) 36436 97 Miscellaneous, including combination devices, adapters, current taps, surface extensions, rosettes, choke coils, rail bonds, and overhead trolley line materials 11/............ 34 (X) 284,337 (X) r/ 312,210 3644- -- Noncurrent-carrying wiring devices....... (X) (X) 4,298,486 (X) 3,938,805 36441 -- Pole and transmission line hardware.... 34 (X) 738,196 (X) r/ 704,053 36441 12 Pole and transmission line construction materials, also known as overhead and underground line hardware for electric transmission, distribution, and communication lines............................... 28 (X) 676,392 (X) r/ 650,087 36441 13 Pole and transmission line anchors. 5 (X) 17,078 (X) 15,719 36441 19 All other pole and transmission line hardware..................... 10 (X) b/ 44,726 (X) r/ 38,247 36442 -- Electrical conduit and conduit fittings.............................. 69 (X) 2,181,352 (X) 1,960,901 Rigid metal conduit, excluding couplings, nipples, bends, and elbows: 36442 01 Standard weights (steel) (short tons) 12/.................. 6 b/ (D) (D) (D) (D) 36442 05 Other metallic conduit (short tons) 12/.................. 2 280,126 279,613 r/ 280,098 264,864 36442 24 Nonmetallic conduit (1,000 lbs.)..... 6 a/ 710,416 a/ 306,322 a/ 683,420 a/r/ 283,215 36442 27 Electrical metallic (short tons)........................ 5 441,735 383,180 r/ 408,592 r/ 346,514 36442 33 Flexible steel and aluminum conduit (1,000 feet)........................ 10 273,270 a/ 80,523 r/ 272,544 r/ 78,398 36442 32 Flexible nonmetallic conduit (1,000 pounds)...................... 11 55,586 45,256 r/ 40,849 36442 35 Raceways and wire ways, including 44,369 fittings, metal..................... 11 (X) 199,067 (X) 171,789 36442 38 Ventilated cable tray and accessories......................... 5 (X) 65,663 (X) r/ 45,972 36442 51 Cast conduit bodies, covers, and gaskets............................. 9 (X) 124,957 (X) r/ 135,277 Rigid conduit fittings, including couplings, nipples, bends, and elbows: 36442 53 Couplings, connectors, and unions.. 17 (X) b/ 156,867 (X) b/ 136,570 36442 54 Locknuts and bushings.............. 9 (X) b/ 15,556 (X) a/ 22,197 36442 59 All other rigid conduit fittings... 7 (X) b/ 53,106 (X) b/ 34,743 36442 52 Nonmetallic conduit fittings....... 11 (X) 70,976 (X) 54,976 EMT fittings (couplings and connectors): 36442 56 Gland type......................... 12 (X) a/ 34,614 (X) b/r/ 28,984 36442 57 Set-screw type..................... 8 (X) 30,554 (X) b/r/ 26,591 36442 58 All others......................... 8 (X) b/ 11,264 (X) b/ 9,187 36442 44 Service entrance caps, ells, and connectors............................ 12 (X) 9,798 (X) 11,341 Cable, cord, and flexible conduit fittings: 36442 71 Armored cable, metallic sheathed cable, and flexible conduit fittings............................ 13 (X) 184,769 (X) r/ 164,042 36442 77 Liquid-tight flexible conduit fittings............................ 9 (X) 55,752 (X) r/ 35,477 36442 72 Nonmetallic sheathed cable and cord fittings....................... 14 (X) a/ 29,037 (X) a/r/ 31,759 36442 46 Other electric conduit fittings...... 16 (X) a/ 45,365 (X) r/ 38,156 36443 -- Other noncurrent-carrying wiring devices and supplies.................. 73 (X) 1,378,938 (X) 1,273,851 Stamped metal boxes, covers, and accessories, including stamped conduit boxes: 36443 31 Switch and receptacle boxes........ 13 (X) 424,458 (X) 386,194 36443 32 Outlet boxes....................... 9 (X) 110,364 (X) 103,188 36443 33 Covers............................. 12 (X) 55,335 (X) 51,219 36443 34 Supports, bar hangers, and other accessories....................... 13 (X) 65,094 (X) 61,455 Cast metal boxes, covers, gaskets, and accessories: 36443 41 FS and FD switch and receptacle type.............................. 10 (X) 27,509 (X) r/ 26,334 36443 42 Outlet type........................ 8 (X) 49,124 (X) 45,675 36443 43 Junction type...................... 16 (X) 81,786 (X) r/ 76,572 Switch, outlet, FM/TV, and telephone wall plates: 36443 35 Metallic........................... 8 45,155 23,266 40,896 r/ 21,221 36443 36 Nonmetallic........................ 9 275,899 65,791 266,172 r/ 60,548 36443 37 Plastic boxes and covers............. 18 (X) 133,431 (X) r/ 127,615 36443 38 Floor boxes and covers............... 8 (X) 37,903 (X) r/ 37,277 36443 48 Other noncurrent carrying wiring devices and supplies................ 32 (X) 304,877 (X) r/ 276,553 D Data withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. n.e.c. Not elsewhere classified. r/Revised by 5 percent or more from previously published data. S Data does not meet publication standards. X Not applicable. 1/Product code 36431 04 is combined with product code 36431 19 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 2/Product code 36431 21 is combined with product codes 36431 23 and 36431 25 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 3/Product code 36432 28 is combined with product code 36432 39 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 4/Product code 36432 29 is combined with product code 36432 30 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 5/Product code 36433 51 is combined with product code 36433 69 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 6/Product code 36433 72 is combined with product code 36433 77 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 7/Product code 36435 87 is combined with product codes 36435 88 and 36435 89 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 8/Product code 36436 43 is combined with product code 36436 44 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 9/Product code 36436 57 is combined with product code 36436 58 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 10/Product code 36436 65 is combined with product code 36436 72 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 11/Product code 36436 98 is combined with product code 36436 97 to avoid disclosing data for individual companies. 12/Product code 36442 01 is combined with product code 36442 05 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: 1997 and 1996 [Millions of Dollars] Exports of Manufacturers' domestic Imports for Product shipments merchandis consump- description f.o.b. plant 1/ at port 1/ tion 1/ 3/ 1997 Lampholders......... 193.3 18.3 65.7 Metal contacts...... 211.5 111.1 63.2 1996 Lampholders......... 192.6 16.7 66.2 Metal contacts...... 239.2 91.4 55.9 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: 1997 Product Export Import code Production description 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 *8536.50.8060 *8536.50.9065 36433 63 dimmers...................... 8535.30.0040 *8535.30.0040 36433 64 36433 65 36433 51 36433 66 36433 67 36433 68 36433 69 36433 71 36433 72 36433 70 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 *8536.69.8000 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.