CURRENT INDUSTRIAL REPORTS
WRITING DEVICES AND SUPPLIES - 1995

MA36K(95) - 1

CONTACT: JACK MATTHEWS, 301-457-4842

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

During 1995, manufacturers' shipments of wiring devices and supplies totaled $8.6 billion,
an increase of 7 percent from $8.0 billion in 1994.  Current-carrying wiring devices accounted for
$4.7 billion, an increase of 6 percent from $4.4 billion in 1994, while the noncurrent-carrying
wiring devices accounted for $3.9 billion, an increase of 8 percent from $3.6 million in 1994.
The 1995 shipments included lampholders, valued at $202.5 million, down 4 percent from $211.3
million in 1994; convenience and power outlets, valued at $362.4 million, up 6 percent from $340.8
million in 1994; switches, valued at $1.6 billion, up 7 percent from $1.5 billion in 1994; metal
contacts, valued at $259.4 million, up 6 percent from $244.9 million in 1994; wire connectors,
valued at $1.1 billion, up 1 percent from $1.1 billion in 1994; other current-carrying wiring devices,
valued at $1.1 billion, up 8 percent from $1.0 billion in 1994; pole line and transmission hardware,
valued at $695.2 million, up 8 percent from $641.1 million in 1994; electrical conduit and conduit fittings,
valued at $2.0 billion, up 9 percent from $1.9 billion in 1994; and other noncurrent-carrying wiring devices,
valued at $1.2 billion, up 5 percent from $1.1 billion in 1994.


Table 1. VALUE OF SHIPMENTS OF WIRING DEVICES AND SUPPLIES, BY CLASS OF PRODUCT: 1986 TO 1995
(Millions of current dollars)

Product
  code                Product description                 1995     1994     1993     1992     1991     1990      1989      1988      1987      1986

3643    Current-carrying wiring devices..............  4,700.2  4,421.7  4,086.6  4,153.6  3,939.3  3,857.8   4,031.4   3,921.9   3,663.6   3,320.5
36431    Lampholders.................................    202.5    211.3    210.4    197.3    214.7    230.0     240.3     226.6     218.4     202.0
36432    Convenience and power outlets, both
          general and special purpose, excluding
          pin and sleeve type........................    362.4    340.8    313.8    332.0    308.6    287.0     301.2     304.3     290.6     278.8
36433    Switches for electrical circuitry...........  1,636.6  1,525.7  1,473.9  1,423.5  1,310.4  1,348.6   1,376.6   1,524.6   1,425.2   1,254.5
36434    Metal contacts precious and other...........    259.4    244.9    208.0    240.1    332.3    317.4     375.4     201.8     176.6     159.8
36435    Wire connectors for electrical circuitry....  1,140.0  1,081.6    976.0  1,007.3    915.8    844.3     857.2     842.0     794.6     720.9
36436    Other current-carrying wiring devices,
          including attachment plug caps, con-
          nector bodies, lightning arrestors, and
          pin and sleeve convenience power outlets...  1,099.3  1,017.5    904.4    953.3    857.6    830.4     884.2     822.6     758.2     704.6

3644    Noncurrent-carrying wiring devices...........  3,908.5  3,622.4  3,250.7  3,140.4  2,930.3  3,095.8   3,114.7   3,212.1   2,791.1   2,434.1
36441    Pole line and transmission hardware.........    695.2    641.1    618.0    541.6    493.6    516.5     525.5     455.3     384.6     375.2
36442    Electrical conduit and conduit fittings.....  2,041.9  1,865.5  1,633.9  1,601.1  1,496.5  1,657.7   1,664.7   1,833.9   1,528.6   1,265.9
36443    Other noncurrent-carrying wiring devices
          and supplies...............................  1,171.4  1,115.8    998.7    997.7    940.1    921.6     924.5     923.0     877.9     793.0

Table 2. QUANTITY AND VALUE OF SHIPMENTS OF WIRING DEVICES AND SUPPLIES: 1995 AND 1994
(Quantity in 1,000 units; value in $1,000)

                                                                                       No.            1995                      1994
Product                               Product description                               of
  code                                                                                Cos.   Quantity        Value    Quantity         Value

         Wiring devices and supplies.................................................. (X)        (X)    8,608,641         (X)     8,044,125

3643      Current-carrying wiring devices............................................. (X)        (X)    4,700,174         (X)     4,421,719

36431 --   Lampholders................................................................  33    720,111      202,475     750,537       211,281
            Incandescent:
36431 04     Push through and pull types, all materials, threaded, medium base only
               (excluding outlet box type and socket interiors).......................   4        (1)          (1)     226,134        42,605
36431 03     Outlet box, threaded, medium base only, pull and keyless types...........   8     19,605       20,730      20,594        21,271
36431 06     Weatherproof, threaded, medium base only.................................   9      3,828        4,791       4,221         4,693
36431 11     Candelabra base, all types...............................................  11   c/50,453     a/10,253      63,573        13,509
36431 13     Sign and fixture, medium base only.......................................   7     18,077       16,583      18,964        16,994
36431 19     All other incandescent, medium, admedium, intermediate,
              lumiline, miniature, (including but not limited to pin-type, cleat
              hasp, and socket interiors sold separately, all bases)..................  15  1/359,520     1/94,291     155,039        56,444
            Fluorescent:
36431 15     Bi-pin...................................................................   8    220,414       28,208     211,930        27,565
36431 21     Slimline.................................................................   5     17,073        6,532      17,794         6,374
36431 23     Recessed double contact..................................................   5     12,555        9,219      12,377         8,692
36431 25     All other fluorescent, including but not limited to circline,
              panelescent and starter holders.........................................   6     12,470        5,563      13,089         5,710
36431 28     All other lampholders,including cold cathode neon, and bases for
              quartz lamps............................................................   8    b/6,116      c/6,305     b/6,822       a/7,424

36432 --   Convenience and power outlets, both general and special purpose,
            excluding pin and sleeve type.............................................  16    241,299      362,382     243,437       340,837
36432 27    Receptacles with GFIC (all types, all amperages)..........................   6     18,320      125,046      17,854       123,027
            Receptacles without GFIC:
36432 28    2-pole, 2-wire (flush, all types).........................................   7      3,046        1,863       3,084         2,080
            2-pole, 3-wire and up (flush):
36432 29     Locking, 15 amperes and under............................................   6        (2)          (2)         (2)           (2)
36432 30     Locking, 20 amperes and over.............................................   6      3,492       16,644       3,524        15,840
36432 31     Nonlocking, 15 amperes and under.........................................   6     77,415       54,142      76,076        52,719
36432 32     Nonlocking, 20 amperes and over..........................................   8     23,183       43,858      21,424        40,564
36432 34    Appliance and special applications all amperages, all types...............   5     17,888        7,012      17,822         7,014
36432 39    All other types, including dust and explosion proof, surface
              and 2-pole/2-wire.......................................................   8   2/97,955    2/113,817   2/103,653      2/99,593

36433 --   Switches for electrical circuitry..........................................  81    854,693    1,636,647     860,937   r/1,525,664
            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........................................   9     78,909       56,679      80,025        56,999
36433 63     Single pole, over 15 amperes.............................................   5      8,804       20,138       6,483        18,262
36433 64     Other than single pole, including but not limited to double pole
              3-way, 4-way............................................................   8     40,975       66,928      48,063        67,541
36433 51    A.c.-d.c., except mercury.................................................   4        (3)          (3)         (3)           (3)
36433 69    All other general use switches, including surface mounted, mercury, etc.     8   3/19,541     3/17,768    3/20,545      3/20,960
            Special purpose switches:
36433 70     Appliance and fixture, including pendant and canopy types and
              variable speed controls.................................................  21     95,227      144,161    r/99,322     r/156,375
36433 71     Precision (1/8" gap or less) snap-acting switches, excluding limit
              switches................................................................  11   a/95,592     a/58,754  a/r/76,108      a/52,211
36433 72     Aircraft types...........................................................   9      2,819       80,657       2,701        75,620
36433 76     Automotive types.........................................................  28    324,686      842,177   r/324,571       759,156
36433 77     All other special purpose switches (including foot actuated), light
              sensing and signal actuated.............................................  28    178,969      255,455     193,748       232,709
            Dimmers:
             Incandescent:
36433 93      Infinitely variable, 600 watts or less..................................  11      7,160       40,424     r/7,407      r/41,947
36433 94      Infinitely variable, over 600 watts.....................................  10      a/331       18,306       a/360        18,903
36433 95     All other types, including but not limited to portable lamps and
              high-low switches.......................................................   9      1,680     a/35,200       1,604      a/24,981

36434 --   Metal contacts, precious and other.........................................  16   4/18,210      259,426    4/16,180       244,876
36435 --   Wire connectors, including connectors used under national electrical
            application...............................................................  67   4/27,232    1,139,989    4/25,432     1,081,553
36435 82     Pressure connectors, where pressure is applied by screw, cone, or
              other mechanical device.................................................  28      4/671      175,508       4/643       160,174
36435 83     Compression connectors, uninsulated terminals and splicers, tool
              installed...............................................................  27  4/b/2,535    a/148,187     4/2,389       132,559
36435 84     Preinsulated terminals and splicers, tool installed......................  17  4/a/1,634    a/164,135     4/2,016       203,193
36435 86     Banded or strip terminals and splicers, machine installed................  15    4/6,790      155,645   4/r/6,386     r/127,056
36435 87     Pigtail connectors, including wire nuts..................................  15    4/2,948     a/75,303     4/2,860        74,405
36435 88     Blade or pin type, separable terminations and splicers...................  12    4/4,659      151,712   4/r/4,846       138,699
36435 89     Other wire connectors n.e.c., including solder type......................  28    4/7,995      269,499     4/6,292       245,467

36436 --   Other current-carrying wiring devices, including attachment plug caps,
            connector bodies, lightning arresters, pin and sleeve convenience
            power outlets, etc........................................................ 128        (X)    1,099,255         (X)     1,017,508
            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...............................................................  14   c/46,569     b/16,153      54,780        18,497
             2-pole, 3-wire and up:
36436 41      Locking, 15 amperes and under...........................................   9      2,406        5,860       2,575         6,180
36436 42      Locking, 20 amperes and over............................................   9      2,310       17,566       2,156        17,033
36436 43      Nonlocking, 15 amperes and under........................................  12     22,127       38,383      22,683        36,922
36436 44      Nonlocking, 20 amperes and over.........................................  12      9,670       20,745       9,877        20,924
36436 45     All other types, except pin and sleeve, including dust and explosion
               proof, appliance, and other special application........................  10      2,725       37,823       2,607        35,705
            Connector bodies and flanged outlets, all types:
36436 49     2-pole, 2-wire, all types, all amperages.................................  12    c/5,011      b/2,324       5,742         2,671
             2-pole, 3-wire and up:
36436 51      Locking, 15 amperes and under...........................................   9      2,073       12,649       1,615        10,121
36436 53      Locking, 20 amperes and over............................................   9        941       14,986         878      r/14,448
36436 55      Nonlocking, 15 amperes and under........................................  11      5,360       20,484       5,353        19,407
36436 57      Nonlocking, 20 amperes and over.........................................   7        652        4,326         715         4,023
36436 58     All other types, excluding pin and sleeve, including dust and
              explosion proof, appliance, and other special application...............   9     41,156       33,477      40,131      r/32,236
            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        963       33,140         950        33,636
36436 67      Attachment plug caps....................................................   9        318       19,561         296        19,353
36436 69      Connector bodies........................................................   9        438       23,591         443        22,792
36436 72     All other pin and sleeve, including dust and explosion proof, 20 amp.
              types, etc..............................................................   7        (5)          (5)         302        11,682
36436 79    Fluorescent starters......................................................   5      9,469        2,324       9,631         2,504
36436 81    Terminal blocks...........................................................  24    157,468      127,408     133,516       109,120
36436 83    Lightning arresters 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)       32,633         (X)        31,827
36436 85    Lightning arresters 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)      121,988         (X)       111,318
36436 88    Surge suppressors, designed for equipment operating on 110/120 volt
              circuits................................................................  12        (X)       90,404         (X)      r/77,855
36436 91    Lightning rods ...........................................................  12        (X)       39,863         (X)        37,308
36436 94    Electric harnesses and assemblies, excluding engine harnesses (from
             purchased wire)..........................................................  20        (X)    b/124,371         (X)     r/103,645
36436 98    All other wiring devices with integral ground fault circuit
             interrupting capabilities, excluding circuit breakers....................   6      7,356        9,897     r/7,098       r/9,948
36436 97    Miscellaneous, including combination devices, adaptors, current taps,
             surface extensions, rosettes, choke coils, rail bonds, and overhead        38        (X)    5/249,299         (X)     r/228,353
             trolley line materials...................................................

3644- --  Noncurrent-carrying wiring devices..........................................(X)         (X)    3,908,467         (X)     3,622,406

36441 --   Pole and transmission line hardware........................................  38        (X)      695,208         (X)       641,073
36441 12    Pole and transmission line construction materials, also known as
             overhead and underground line hardware for electric transmission,
             distribution, and communication lines....................................  30        (X)      559,094         (X)       516,633
36441 13    Pole and transmission line anchors........................................   5        (X)       16,509         (X)        16,604
36441 19    All other pole and transmission line hardware.............................  11        (X)      119,605         (X)       107,836

36442 --   Electrical conduit and conduit fittings....................................  78        (X)    2,041,858         (X)     1,865,486
            Rigid metal conduit, excluding couplings, nipples, bends, and elbows:
36442 01      Standard weights (steel)(short tons)....................................   7  6/262,693  6/b/260,834     243,240       231,542
36442 05      Other metallic conduit (short tons).....................................   3        (6)          (6)      24,058        22,071
36442 24    Nonmetallic conduit (1,000 lbs.)..........................................   6  a/649,090    a/312,726     630,533       285,581
36442 27    Electrical metallic tubing (short tons)...................................   6    381,441      328,190     358,848       294,183
36442 33    Flexible steel and aluminum conduit (1,000 feet)..........................  10    282,199       87,564   r/277,658      r/85,011
36442 32    Flexible nonmetallic conduit (1,000 pounds)...............................  12   c/94,952       45,995    c/86,279        37,808
36442 35    Raceways and wire ways, including fittings, metal.........................  15        (X)      156,923         (X)       147,181
36442 38    Ventilated cable tray and accessories.....................................   5        (X)     b/62,009         (X)        41,411
36442 51    Cast conduit bodies, covers, and gaskets..................................  11        (X)      123,883         (X)       116,358
            Rigid conduit fittings, including couplings, nipples, bends, and
             elbows:
36442 53     Couplings, connectors, and unions........................................  18        (X)      141,356         (X)     r/132,071
36442 54     Locknuts and bushings....................................................  10        (X)       38,305         (X)        30,321
36442 59     All other rigid conduit fittings.........................................   8        (X)       36,721         (X)        53,826
36442 52     Nonmetallic conduit fittings.............................................  15        (X)       48,389         (X)        45,685
            EMT fittings (couplings and connectors):
36442 56     Gland type...............................................................  14        (X)       43,019         (X)        33,998
36442 57     Set-screw type...........................................................  10        (X)       41,707         (X)        47,402
36442 58     All others...............................................................  11        (X)        9,929         (X)       r/8,164
36442 44    Service entrance caps, ells, and connectors...............................  13        (X)      a/9,361         (X)        10,216
            Cable, cord, and flexible conduit fittings:
36442 71     Armored cable, metallic sheathed cable, and flexible conduit fittings....  14        (X)      152,576         (X)     r/116,620
36442 77     Liquid-tight flexible conduit fittings...................................  11        (X)       63,170         (X)        54,927
36442 72     Nonmetallic sheathed cable and cord fittings.............................  17        (X)       40,779         (X)        38,693
36442 46     Other electric conduit fittings..........................................  17        (X)       38,422         (X)        32,417

  36443 --   Other noncurrent-carrying wiring devices and supplies......................80        (X)    1,171,401         (X)     1,115,847
              Stamped metal boxes, covers, and accessories, including stamped
               conduit boxes:
  36443 31     Switch and receptacle boxes..............................................13        (X)      355,299         (X)       334,551
  36443 32     Outlet boxes.............................................................10        (X)       93,913         (X)       116,845
  36443 33     Covers...................................................................13        (X)       47,879         (X)        37,951
  36443 34     Supports, bar hangers, and other accessories.............................16        (X)       56,941         (X)        44,790
              Cast metal boxes, covers, gaskets, and accessories:
  36443 41     FS and FD switch and receptacle type.....................................11        (X)       26,399         (X)        37,816
  36443 42     Outlet type.............................................................. 9        (X)     a/43,553         (X)        36,552
  36443 43     Junction type............................................................17        (X)       74,363         (X)        78,558
              Switch, outlet, FM/TV, and telephone wall plates:
  36443 35     Metallic................................................................. 9     42,537       21,093      44,371        22,953
  36443 36     Nonmetallic.............................................................. 9    247,794       55,708     253,343        55,803
  36443 37    Plastic boxes and covers..................................................17        (X)      129,755         (X)     r/105,218
  36443 38    Floor boxes and covers.................................................... 8        (X)     b/31,771         (X)      r/26,782
  36443 48    Other noncurrent carrying wiring devices and supplies.....................35        (X)      234,727         (X)       218,028

   1/Product codes 3643104 and  3643119  are combined for 1995 to avoid disclosing figures for individual companies.
   2/Product codes  3643229 and 3643239 are combined  to avoid disclosing figures for individual companies.
   3/Product codes 3643351 and 3643369 are combined to avoid disclosing figures for individual companies.
   4/Quantities for product codes beginning with 36434 and 36435 are published in millions of units rather than thousands of units.
   5/Product codes  3643672 and 3643697 are combined to avoid disclosing figures for individual companies.
   6/Product codes 3644201 and 3644205 are combined for 1995 to avoid disclosing figures for individual companies.

   r/Revised by 5 percent or more from previosly published figures.  X Not applicable.  n.e.c. Not elsewhere classified.

   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: 1995 AND 1994
(Millions of dollars)



                                  Exports of
                 Manufacturers'   domestic
    Product         shipments     merchandise     Imports for
  description   f.o.b. plant/1    at port/1/2    consumption/1/3

      1995

Lampholders.....         202.5           14.2               62.2
Metal contacts..         259.4           40.4               50.7

      1994
Lampholders.....         213.3           13.9               66.2
Metal contacts..         244.4           28.0               36.6

   1/For comparison of SIC codes with Schedule B export numbers
and HTUSA 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 HTUSA
          IMPORT NUMBERS: 1995

  Product                                         Export         Import
   code          Product 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 dimmers.... *8536.50.0060  *8536.50.0060
36433 63                                    *8535.30.0040  *8535.30.0040
36433 64
36433 65
36433 66
36433 67
36433 68
36433 70
36433 71
36433 72
36433 76
36433 77

36433 93   Switches, dimmers............... *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

   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.

   *This code is partially correlated with the products described.