My Guidelight doesn't fit over my outlet
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Today we are going to talk about why you may be having difficulty getting your Guidelight ot install all of the way over your outlet. Before we get started let’s review how the SnapRays Guidelight works and how it gets its power. The SnapRays guidelights are designed to fit over all standard outlets with side screw terminals. (holding up outlet pointing to side screw terminals). When installed over a standard outlet the prongs reach around the outlet and contact the side screw terminals. Installation issues almost always occur as a result of the way the outlet has been installed inside the electrical box. Anything that obstructs passage of the prongs around the outlet or interferes with contact between the prongs and the side terminals can prevent the guidelight from installing correctly. With all of the outlets out there being installed by different people in different situations there are a variety of things that could be obstructing the path of the prongs. Because of this, each situation will be unique to the individual user. However, with this is mind lets discuss 4 possible reasons that may be causing this problem
Step 1 - Non- compatible outlets
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Another reason the Guidelight may be having difficulty installing over an outlet is that the user may be attempting to install the Guidelight over a non-compatible outlet. Remember that the Guidelight is only compatible with the Standard Duplex and Standard Décor outlets. If you are attempting to install it over any other outlet it will not work properly. Examples of non-compatible outlets are GFCI outlets (these can be easily identified by the test/reset buttons between receptacles). The combination plug and light switch receptacle, USB combination, Lightswitch.
Step 2 - Sheet Rock or Sheet rocking mud
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(picture) What you’re looking at here is a rare scenario where the outlet box has been covered up by sheet rock. If you find yourself in this situation, check to make sure that there is enough clearance between the outlet screws and the sheet rock to get the Guidelight prongs between them. As long as there is enough space, gently slide the prongs between the box and the sheet rock and attach the Guidelight to the outlet. In the rare case that there is not enough clearance to get the prongs in safely, you can trim the sheet rock or sheet rock mud to allow access to the outlet. Sheet rock or sheet rocking mud may partially or complete obstruct the side terminals. (show example from office). In general, mud can be removed and sheet rock can be trimmed to allow access to the outlet.
Step 3 - Recessed Electrical Box
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Another rare reason you may be having difficulty getting your Guideligt to install over the outlet is a recessed electrical box. Recessed electrical boxes occur as a result of thick sheet rock, tile or other material moving the outlet forward and out of the electrical box. As a result the prongs on the back side of the Guidelight may butt against the outlet box during installation. This is easily solved by paying close attention during the installation process and being sure to maneuver the prongs in a way that will allow them to pass inside of the electrical box without interfering with the edges of it. If you are still having trouble with the prongs butting against the box, install the guidelight up towards the top of the outlet near the yoke and slide it down into place.
4 – Screw Terminals all the way out
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In some case the electrician may have left the screw terminals sticking out into the box. This is an easy fix. Just maneuver your Guidelight prongs in a way as to not hang up on the screw in order to allow them to pass into the box safely.
