The left side of the box is probably mounted to the stud so grab a longer drywall or deck screw, I think 3” long and go in through one of the holes in the back of the box at an angle left and drive the screw into the stud. Stop tightening once the box is pulled in on the right. Answer from Trick-Yogurtcloset45 on reddit.com
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Kyle Switch Plates
kyleswitchplates.com › home
Deep Switch Plate Cover Options for Protruding Wall Boxes
Protruding electrical wall box? Find deep switch plate cover options using deep plates, extender rings, spacers to fill gap - Kyle Switch Plates.
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Kyle Switch Plates
kyleswitchplates.com › home › switch plate configurations › deep switch plate & outlet covers
Deep Switch Plate Cover, Thick Outlet Wall Plates
The most common situation that calls for electrical box extenders is when you have a shallow box that causes devices - such as GFCI outlets or light timers - to stick out of the box. Extenders will expand electrical boxes 3/4" to make room for bulky devices. Get a shallow box extender here ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/askanelectrician › how do i fix a protruding electrical box? (info in comments)
r/askanelectrician on Reddit: How do I fix a protruding electrical box? (Info in comments)
January 22, 2023 - Above the top edge of the box, slightly to the left of the protruding corner, poke a hole in the drywall right along the edge of the box (plate will cover later.) Put the screwdriver in and feel for the nail that holds the box.
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Fine Homebuilding
finehomebuilding.com › forum › blue plastic outlet box protrudes a bit
Blue plastic outlet box protrudes a bit - Fine Homebuilding
March 8, 2007 - For those who were wondering what part of the box protruded where, it's the right edge, which stands proud of the wall about 1/8". Of course the first thing I did was whack it, several times, but it didn't budge. Then I loosened up the screws holding the outlet to the blue plastic box and gave the outlet a twist, then screwed on the cover plate again.
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DoItYourself.com
doityourself.com › doityourself.com community forums › electrical, ac & dc. electronic equipment and computers › electrical - ac & dc › boxes stick out of wall
Boxes Stick Out of Wall - DoItYourself.com Community Forums
February 3, 2007 - The outside dimensions would be the exact outside-dimensions of the wall plates. The metal would be milled-out so that the shim would fit tight against the protruding edges of the outlet box. In a sense, the shim would have the appearence of a "Decora"- stlye wall plate which fits tight to the edges of the devices it covers.
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HomeKeep
homekeep.zendesk.com › hc › en-us › articles › 30447743124499-Fixing-a-Protruding-Outlet-or-Switch-Cover
Fixing a Protruding Outlet or Switch Cover – HomeKeep
If your electrical outlet or switch cover is sticking out, it can be both unsightly and potentially hazardous. This guide will walk you through the steps to fix this common issue safely and efficie...
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Kyle Switch Plates
kyleswitchplates.com › home › switch plate configurations › outlet cover plates
Duplex Receptacle & Outlet Cover Wall Plates
You can use a deep wall switch plate which works for covering about an extra 1/4" (for 1, 2, or 3 gang boxes), or an extra deep receptacle cover plate that will add about 1/2" (for single gang boxes only). For devices that require an even thicker switchplate use a riser for a standard outlet ...
Find elsewhere
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Amazon
amazon.com › Electrical-Leveling-Receptacle-Outlet-Extender-Protruding › dp › B0DZGRWSXW
Amazon.com: 10 Pcs Outlet Spacers, Metal Wall Plate Spacer for Electrical Outlets, Flush Fit Device Leveling Plate for Receptacle Repair, Outlet-Extender Shims for Fixing Protruding Switches & Gaps : Industrial & Scientific
[Simplified Installation Process]: These electrical outlet extender spacers facilitate a tool-free, user-friendly installation process that can be completed in a matter of minutes. Just turn off the power supply, remove the cover plate, insert the spacer, and reinstall the cover plate.
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Kyle Switch Plates
kyleswitchplates.com › home › switch plate configurations › deep switch plate & outlet covers › extra deep duplex receptacle wall cover plates
Extra Deep Duplex Receptacle Wall Cover Plates
Extra Deep Duplex Receptacle Wall Cover Plates
Description · Single Gang 9/16" Thick Raised Outlet Covers · Extra deep single gang single duplex receptacle switch plates for covering 2 plugs in a protruding electrical box. · Features · super deep metal cover made in USA · ULC and UL listed · 2-3/4" W x 4-1/2" H x 9/16" D · 1 matching 1/2" screw · duplex installs with center screw · deep drawn: sides have 90 degree return with rounded corners and slightly uneven edges - see photos · Solutions · Add another 1/8" coverage with this Gap Filler Ring. · Need an even deeper cover? Use with a plate extender. · Looking for standard depth? View the
Price   $7.50
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Kyle Switch Plates
kyleswitchplates.com › home › switch plate configurations › round electrical outlet covers
Single Receptacle Outlet Cover Plates
Shop Kyle Switch Plates wide range of single receptacle and dryer outlet covers, available in a wide range of metal finishes. All made in the USA. Sometimes, your outlet receptacle is not flush with the wall. This may be due to the addition of a granite slab to a backsplash, wainscoting trim added to a wall, or the removal of wood paneling. Your receptacle may be sitting below the surface of the sheetrock or be protruding from it.
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Houzz
houzz.com › discussions › 2698590 › outlets-stick-out-too-far
Outlets stick out too far.
This is an inter-disciplinary problem but it's in a kitchen, so here's the question: What are methods to use to fix the problem of outlets sticking out too far from the wall because "someone" didn't nail a couple of boxes in at the correct depth. 1/4 inch or so. Decorative wood shims? Some...
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DIY Home Improvement
diychatroom.com › home › forums › home improvement › electrical
protruding outlet, outlet cover cracked | DIY Home Improvement Forum
I unscrewed the cover plate to see if it was just not screwed tightly enough, and noticed the outlet and surrounding metal casing itself protrudes from the wall so it is impossible to screw the cover flush against the wall, there will always be a tiny gap. (3-4 mm.)
Top answer
1 of 3
17

No, you can't.

An extension cord is designed for temporary use. Many of us (myself included) will use an extension cord on a "semi-permanent" basis.

But it is quite different to have an exposed extension cord and a hidden extension cord. An extension cord is not designed - or rated & tested - for use in a hidden location. Use in that matter raises the very real possibility of damage to the cord from repeated walking on the carpet going unnoticed until it is too late (e.g., fire). Wires are also rated based on temperature, and a cord that is rated for a particular temperature based on being in open air may not be safe when used under a carpet, where it may heat up quite a bit more - also increasing fire risk.

The proper way to use a floor outlet is to have a cutout in the carpet around the outlet, and ideally a cover on the outlet when it is not in use to avoid dirt (or even worse, spilled drinks) getting into the outlet. I see that type of outlet in hotels & conference rooms and it is a little ugly but functional and safe.

If you are not going to use the floor outlet at all, covering it with a movable rug is OK. But you should never cover an outlet or junction box of any type (e.g., including if you removed the outlet, capped the wires and put on a blank plate) with any permanent flooring like wall-to-wall carpet. All electrical connections (with very few exceptions) need to be easily accessible.

2 of 3
8

That's not how you use those outlets

Those outlets are for putting a desk above them, and now you have power to the desk. I gather you've changed the usage of that room and now it is open space that is traversed by people, or you have a rug that can't fit without overlapping that floor outlet. Well, then, you don't use the floor outlet.

It is illegal to use extension cords (cordage) as a substitute for the permanent wiring of a building. I once saw a hefty 6/2 cord going to a powdercoat oven, drywalled right into the wall. On my next visit a few months later, there was EMT conduit and a receptacle there instead. Fire marshal had been by, I guess.

Running extension cord under carpet is a bad idea for so many reasons, as manassehkatz discusses. They do make special under-carpet cable, you might try researching that, but how you terminate that cable at the floor box will still be a major safety issue.

What's at stake here is the fire inspector finding the bad installation In the ashes (it's what they do), and declining your fire insurance, leaving you on the hook for the mortgage when they call it. (Even a non-recourse loan becomes recourse at that point, and worse, it can't be cleared in bankruptcy, nor can civil liability for injuries). The penalty is rare but harsh. Speaking of rare but harsh, manslaughter charges are also possible.

The right thing is to install additional wall outlets, or other floor outlets, where you actually do need them... Or if appropriate, hang a pendant from the ceiling. -Although if your building is built to recent Code, it will already have wall outlets strategically placed so any appliance with a 6' (2m) cord that's along a wall can reach an outlet with its own cord.

I hardly need to tell you how to plug more than 2 things into a receptacle.

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Kyle Switch Plates
kyleswitchplates.com › home
Narrow Wall Switch Plate Options - Solutions for Tight Spots
For example, you may have an existing switch or outlet that sits close to an adjacent wall. If you later add a tile backsplash with a bullnose trim (like in the image here), you may find that a typical cover plate no longer has room to fit between the protruding bullnose and the switch on 1 side.
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Electrician Talk
electriciantalk.com › home › forums › general electrical › general electrical discussion
Outlet covers | Electrician Talk
I had been under the impression ... walls instead. So, my mud rings for outlets and switches are sticking out of the wall. Does somebody make covers that extend back to the wall a half inch so that the devices aren't protruding from the wall awkwardly?...
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Dengarden
dengarden.com › news › electrician-electrical-box-fix
Electrician Shared Easy Fix For Protruding Outlets - Dengarden
September 13, 2023 - Next, taking the first one, you’re going to insert it arrow side first into the gap between your outlet box and the drywall until just the end tabs are sticking out. Press the outlet box against the strap and the wall, this will help it cling to the drywall.
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DIY Home Improvement
diychatroom.com › home › forums › home improvement › electrical
Extra Deep Outlet/Switch Plates? | DIY Home Improvement Forum
So I've got an outlet or switch or two where the box projects about 1/8th of an inch out from the drywall. Hence, there is a corresponding gap between the cover plate and the drywall. Does anyone make plates that are tad deeper than standard to account for this?
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MikeHolt
forums.mikeholt.com › home › active forums › nec
Receptacles sticking out from cover a code? | Information by Electrical Professionals for Electrical Professionals
March 20, 2011 - I remember flush with plastic plates and protruding with metal for some reason. Click to expand... Probably because of this; 406.4(D) Position of Receptacle Faces. After installation, receptacle faces shall be flush with or project from faceplates of insulating material and shall project a minimum of 0.4 mm (0.015 in.) from metal faceplates. Exception: Listed kits or assemblies encompassing receptacles and nonmetallic faceplates that cover the receptacle face, where the plate cannot be installed on any other receptacle, shall be permitted.