Quick answer
A tamper-resistant receptacle is a wall outlet with built-in spring shutters that keep the slots closed unless two plug blades push in at the same time, so a child cannot insert a key or hairpin into a live slot.
It looks like a normal outlet, but the slots appear blocked and the face is marked "TR." The NEC has required them in new homes since the 2008 edition 1.
Quick facts
The key facts about Tamper-Resistant Receptacle, with sources:
- Purpose
- Stops children pushing objects into live slots 1
- How to spot one
- "TR" marked on the face; slots look covered 2
- Required in new homes since
- NEC 2008 1
- Current rule
- NEC 406.12, for 15 A and 20 A, 125 V receptacles in dwelling areas 2
- Children hurt each year (estimate)
- About 2,400 severe shocks and burns 1
- Exemption example
- Receptacles more than 5½ ft above the floor 2
Key takeaways
- TR receptacles have shutters that open only for a two-pronged plug 1.
- About 2,400 children a year suffer severe shock and burns from objects pushed into outlets, by industry estimates citing CPSC 1.
- The 2008 NEC first required TR receptacles in new homes 1.
- Plug caps get lost, left out and pulled off, and can be a choking hazard 1.
- Look for "TR" on the outlet face to confirm what you have 2.
What makes an outlet tamper-resistant
A standard receptacle has open slots. Anything metal that goes in the narrow slot touches a live contact. A tamper-resistant (TR) receptacle hides those contacts behind spring-loaded plastic shutters.
The shutters move only when equal pressure hits both slots at once, as a plug does. A single object, such as a hairpin, a key or a paper clip, meets a closed gate. Leviton lists paper clips, pens, safety pins, screws, nails, forks, tweezers, keys and coins as objects children push in 1.
How the shutters work
Behind each slot is a shutter. The two shutters are linked. Pushing on one side alone tilts the mechanism so it locks. Pushing on both sides with equal force lets both slide back, and the plug blades reach the contacts.
When you pull the plug, springs snap the shutters closed. There is nothing to remember and nothing to lose. That is the main difference from plug caps.
Some new TR outlets feel stiff at first. A plug may need a firm, straight push. Angled or one-sided pressure is what the shutters are built to refuse.
- Object meets one slotshutter stays shut; no contact
- Plug meets both slotsequal pressure on both shutters
- Shutters slide openblades reach the contacts
- Plug is pulled outsprings close the shutters again
Source: [1]
TR versions of common outlets
| Outlet type | TR version available? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard duplex, 15 A or 20 A | Yes | The most common TR outlet in homes |
| GFCI receptacle | Yes | Shock protection plus shutters; common in kitchens and baths |
| USB combination outlet | Yes, on many models | Check for the TR mark |
| Weather-resistant (WR) outdoor outlet | Yes, often marked TR and WR | Used outdoors and in damp spots |
| AFCI receptacle | Yes | Arc-fault protection at the outlet |
Example: the injury numbers behind the rule
The injury figures come from Leviton's safety sheet, which cites CPSC and ESFI. They are estimates, not exact counts, and they date from older federal data.
| Measure | Estimate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Children with severe shock and burns from objects in outlets, per year | About 2,400 | CPSC, via Leviton 1 |
| Child deaths per year linked to this behavior | 6 to 12 | CPSC, via Leviton 1 |
| Children treated in emergency rooms per day for outlet injuries | Nearly 7 | ESFI, via Leviton 1 |
| Electrical incidents that happen at home | About 71%, usually with an adult present | CPSC, via Leviton 1 |
- ~2,400children severely shocked or burned each yearCPSC estimate cited by Leviton
- 6 to 12child deaths each yearCPSC estimate cited by Leviton
- 71%of electrical incidents occur at homeCPSC data cited by Leviton
Source: [1]
The last row matters. Most of these injuries happen at home with supervision. Adults cannot watch every outlet every second, which is why the protection is built into the device.
Where TR receptacles are required
NEC 406.12 ties the rule to the dwelling receptacle locations in 210.52. The 2011 NEC list, as summarized by EC&M 2:
- Wall space in living areas, bedrooms and similar rooms
- Kitchen small-appliance circuits and countertops
- Bathrooms and laundry areas
- Outdoor receptacles
- Garages, outbuildings and basements
- Hallways
Later editions
Editions after 2011 extended TR rules beyond homes to places such as child care facilities. Check the edition your state enforces with our NEC lookup.
TR receptacles vs plug caps
Why TR receptacles win
Trade-offs
- Plugs can feel stiff to insert, especially at first.
- They do not stop a child pulling a plug part way out and touching the blades.
- Existing outlets must be replaced to upgrade, which is a job for an electrician.
- They do not add shock protection for adults; that is the GFCI's job.
What a TR outlet does not do
A TR outlet blocks objects. It does not cut power when someone gets shocked. For that you need a GFCI, which trips at about 6 milliamps of leakage 5.
Leviton also warns that an outlet in use is not automatically child safe. A child can pull out a lamp or alarm-clock plug and reach the open slots behind it 1. Cord placement and supervision still matter.
Finally, a TR outlet will not fix worn wiring or a loose connection behind it. If an outlet is warm, loose or scorched, it needs repair whether or not it is TR.
What drives the cost of switching to TR outlets
We do not list prices here. What changes the cost: how many outlets you replace, whether some need GFCI or AFCI versions, the condition of the wiring and boxes behind them, and whether the work turns up problems like backstabbed connections or missing grounds. Some areas need a permit for outlet replacement.
Leviton notes that in new construction a TR outlet costs only slightly more than a standard one 1. For a retrofit, labor usually outweighs the device. Use the electrical project cost tool to see the drivers.
How an electrician upgrades outlets to TR
- Walk the home and list outlets by room, noting which need GFCI or AFCI too.
- Turn off and verify each circuit is dead before opening any box.
- Replace the outlet with a listed TR device, moving from push-in to screw or clamp terminals.
- Check box fill, grounding and connections while the outlet is open.
- Test each outlet for correct wiring and test any GFCI.
Owners should not open outlet boxes. Hire a licensed electrician for any outlet replacement.
Living with TR outlets
- Push plugs straight in with steady pressure on both blades.
- Do not force a bent plug; replace the cord or device instead.
- Keep cords tucked behind furniture so children cannot pull plugs partway out 1.
- If a TR outlet loosens or will not grip, have it replaced.
- Never pry shutters open with a tool.
When to call for help
- A child has put an object in any outlet. If they were shocked or burned, call 911.
- An outlet has no shutters and young children live in or visit the home.
- An outlet is warm, cracked, loose or scorched.
- Plugs fall out or spark when inserted.
If a child is shocked
Do not touch the child while they are in contact with the outlet. Cut power at the breaker if you can do so safely, then call 911. Seek medical care even if the child seems fine. Have an electrician check the outlet before it is used again.
Code rules for tamper-resistant receptacles
2008 NEC. First required TR receptacles in new homes. Leviton notes they had been required in hospital pediatric care areas for more than 20 years before that 1.
NEC 406.12 (2011 edition, as summarized by EC&M). Non-locking 15 A and 20 A, 125 V receptacles in dwelling areas covered by 210.52 must be listed as tamper-resistant.
Exceptions include receptacles more than 5½ ft above the floor, receptacles that are part of a luminaire or appliance, single receptacles in a dedicated space for an appliance that is not easily moved, and certain nongrounding replacements 2.
Product listing. TR devices are listed to UL product standards for receptacles. Look for the listing mark and the TR mark.
The NEC is NFPA 70 3. State and local adoption decides which edition applies and whether replacements must meet it. Many jurisdictions require TR devices when outlets are replaced in areas the current code covers; check locally.
TR receptacle vs other outlet protection
| Option | Protects against | Always active? |
|---|---|---|
| TR receptacle | Objects pushed into slots | Yes |
| Plug caps | Objects pushed into slots | Only when in place |
| Sliding cover plates | Objects pushed into slots | Yes, if installed right |
| GFCI | Shock from ground faults | Yes, if tested monthly |
| AFCI protection | Fire from arcing | Yes |
TR outlet myths
- Myth Plug caps work just as well.
- Reality Caps get lost, left out and removed by children, and they can be swallowed 1.
- Myth TR outlets are only needed in nurseries.
- Reality The NEC covers most dwelling outlets, not only children's rooms 2.
- Myth A TR outlet also stops shocks.
- Reality It blocks objects. Shock protection comes from a GFCI.
- Myth Stiff plugs mean the outlet is broken.
- Reality New TR shutters can be firm. Push straight in on both blades.
State adoption and replacements
Which outlets must be TR depends on the NEC edition your state or city enforces and on local rules for replacements 4. Some areas expect TR devices on any like-for-like replacement in a covered room. Check your local edition before a remodel.
Should you upgrade to TR outlets?
If young children live in or often visit your home, and your outlets have open slots, upgrading is a sensible priority. Homes built before 2008 often lack them.
Next step: check outlets room by room with the electrical safety check, then ask an electrician to quote the swap during other electrical repair work, when the trip charge is already paid.
Combine the visit
If outlets near water also lack GFCI protection, have both fixed in one visit. GFCI receptacles are sold in TR versions.
Questions about Tamper-Resistant Receptacle
What does TR mean on an outlet?
TR stands for tamper-resistant. The outlet has internal shutters that block a single object from reaching the live contacts. The shutters open only when both prongs of a plug press in together. The letters TR are molded into the outlet face.
Are tamper-resistant outlets required?
In new homes, yes. The 2008 NEC first required TR receptacles in dwellings, and later editions keep the rule in section 406.12. Whether you must use them for replacements in an existing home depends on the code edition and local rules where you live.
Why are tamper-resistant outlets hard to plug into?
The shutters need equal pressure on both slots to open. If you push at an angle or one blade hits first, the shutter stays locked. Push the plug straight in with steady pressure. New outlets loosen slightly with use. A plug that will never go in may be bent.
Do tamper-resistant outlets prevent shock?
Tamper-resistant receptacles prevent one kind: shock from objects pushed into a single slot. They do not cut power if someone is shocked another way. For that, you need GFCI protection, which is required near water and outdoors.
Are outlet covers as good as TR outlets?
No. Leviton's safety sheet notes plug caps can be lost, left out after use, removed by children and swallowed. TR shutters work every time without anyone remembering to put them back.
How can I tell if my outlets are tamper-resistant?
Look for the letters TR on the face of the outlet. You will also see that the slots look blocked by plastic shutters rather than open. If neither is present, it is a standard outlet.
Can I replace my outlets with TR outlets myself?
Replacing an outlet means working inside a live electrical box, so we recommend a licensed electrician. Many areas also require a permit. An electrician can check the wiring and connections while the outlet is open.
Do I need TR outlets above countertops?
Countertop receptacles in dwelling kitchens are in the areas the NEC covers, so new ones are generally required to be TR. Receptacles more than 5½ feet above the floor are exempt. Check your local code edition for details.
Are GFCI outlets also tamper-resistant?
Many are. GFCI receptacles are sold in TR versions, marked on the face. In kitchens, baths and outdoors, a TR GFCI meets both needs in one device.
Sources
- Leviton, Tamper-Resistant Receptacles: Facts & Stats infographic (citing CPSC and ESFI), retrieved .
- EC&M, Stumped by the Code? Tamper-Resistant Receptacles, GFCIs & More (2011 NEC), retrieved .
- NFPA, NFPA 70 National Electrical Code standard development page, retrieved .
- NFPA, NEC enforcement maps, retrieved .
- U.S. CPSC, GFCI Fact Sheet (Publication 099), retrieved .
Expert review
Written by the HyreElectrical Research team. Not yet reviewed by an outside expert. We say so rather than imply a review that has not happened; see our editorial policy.
How the numbers were checked: Injury estimates and the 2008 requirement from Leviton's TR infographic, which cites CPSC and ESFI; NEC 406.12 scope and exceptions from EC&M's 2011-NEC Q&A. Read 10 October 2026. Injury figures are estimates from older federal data and are labeled as such.
Suggest a correction. We fix errors and say what changed.