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.
