MA36K-WIRING DEVICES AND SUPPLIES
1992 ANNUAL REPORT
MA36K(92)-1
Contact person:  Jack Matthews, 301-763-1513

For survey methodology and definitions of terms, see the 1991 publication,
MA36K(91)-1, issued November 1992.  Printed data tables will be available
at the end of each data year through an annual compendium publication, which
will include information on all Current Industrial Reports.


Table 1. VALUE OF SHIPMENTS OF WIRING DEVICES AND SUPPLIES, BY CLASS OF PRODUCT: 1983 TO 1992

(Millions of current dollars)

Product
   code               Product description                1992     1991     1990     1989     1988     1987     1986     1985     1984     1983

  3643   Current-carrying wiring devices............  4,104.3  3,939.3  3,857.8  4,031.4  3,921.9  3,663.6  3,320.5  3,433.0  3,399.2  2,930.9
  36431   Lampholders...............................    204.5    214.7    230.0    240.3    226.6    218.4    202.0    195.0    184.8    172.3
  36432   Convenience and power outlets, both
           general and special purpose, excluding
           pin and sleeve type......................    330.8    308.6    287.0    301.2    304.3    290.6    278.8    270.8    254.5    212.1
  36433   Switches for electrical circuitry.........  1,387.7  1,310.4  1,348.6  1,376.6  1,524.6  1,425.2  1,254.5  1,265.0  1,274.0  1,054.4
  36434   Metal contacts precious and other.........    290.5    332.3    317.4    375.4    201.8    176.6    159.8    201.6    208.5    193.8
  36435   Wire connectors for electrical circuitry..    999.8    915.8    844.3    857.2    842.0    794.6    720.9    778.7    764.0    664.9
  36436   Other current-carrying wiring devices,
           including attachment plug caps, con-
           nector bodies, lightning arrestors, and
           pin and sleeve convenience power outlets.    891.1    857.6    830.4    884.2    822.6    758.2    704.6    721.9    713.4    633.4

  3644   Noncurrent-carrying wiring devices.........  3,104.6  2,930.3  3,095.8  3,114.7  3,212.1  2,791.1  2,434.1  2,459.5  2,355.4  1,931.1
  36441   Pole line and transmission hardware.......    515.5    493.6    516.5    525.5    455.3    384.6    375.2    380.5    370.3    351.3
  36442   Electrical conduit and conduit fittings...  1,547.6  1,496.5  1,657.7  1,664.7  1,833.9  1,528.6  1,265.9  1,275.7  1,223.3    915.1
  36443   Other noncurrent-carrying wiring devices
           and supplies.............................  1,041.6    940.1    921.6    924.5    923.0    877.9    793.0    803.2    761.9    664.7



Table 2. QUANTITY AND VALUE OF SHIPMENTS OF WIRING DEVICES AND SUPPLIES: 1992 AND 1991

(Quantity in 1,000 units; value in $1,000)

                                                                                No. of          1992                    1991
 Product                           Product description                            com-
    code                                                                        panies  Quantity       Value    Quantity       Value

          Wiring devices and supplies............................................. (X)       (X)   7,208,961         (X)   6,869,607

3643       Current-carrying wiring devices........................................ (X)       (X)   4,104,348         (X)   3,939,318

36431 --    Lampholders...........................................................  30   713,188     204,452     753,233     214,686
             Incandescent:
36431 01      Nonmetallic outer shell, threaded, medium base only, keyless, push
               through and pull types, excluding outlet box type and socket
               interiors..........................................................   6       (D)         (D)         (D)         (D)
36431 02      Metal outer shell, threaded, medium base only, key, keyless,
               push through and pull types, excluding outlet box type and
               socket interiors...................................................   3       (D)         (D)      29,561      17,510
36431 03      Outlet box, threaded, medium base only, pull and keyless types......   7    31,818      22,922      31,426      22,268
36431 06      Weatherproof, threaded, medium base only............................   7     4,064       4,126       5,179       4,646
36431 11      Candelabra base, all types..........................................  10    65,781      10,622      86,002      10,529
36431 12      Mogul base, all types...............................................   5       (D)         (D)         (D)         (D)
36431 13      Sign and fixture, medium base only..................................   5    56,688      33,763      61,416      35,733
36431 14      All other incandescent, medium, admedium, intermediate,
               lumiline, miniature, (including but not limited to pin-type, cleat,
               hasp, and socket interiors sold separately, all bases).............  11   100,011      30,199     111,636      38,763
             Fluorescent:
36431 15      Bi-pin..............................................................   7   201,267      25,255     191,701      23,827
36431 21      Slimline............................................................   5    22,096       6,791      20,409       6,501
36431 23      Recessed double contact.............................................   5    11,252       8,067      10,405       7,377
36431 25      All other fluorescent, including but not limited to circline,
               panelescent and starter holders....................................   6    40,700       6,011      40,636       5,120
36431 28      All other lampholders,including cold cathode neon, and bases for
               quartz lamps.......................................................   8     6,569       6,302       7,066       6,464

36432 --    Convenience and power outlets, both general and special purpose,
             excluding pin and sleeve type........................................  15   219,480     330,813     209,909     308,591
36432 27     Receptacles with GFIC (all types, all amperages).....................   5    14,337     102,955      12,371      90,234
36432 28     2-pole, 2-wire (flush, all types)....................................   8       (D)         (D)         (D)         (D)
             2-pole, 3-wire and up (flush):
36432 29      Locking, 15 amperes and under.......................................   6       550       3,872         482       3,401
36432 30      Locking, 20 amperes and over........................................   6     1,807      18,047       1,650      16,830
36432 31      Nonlocking, 15 amperes and under....................................   7   158,145      86,684     153,155      83,577
36432 32      Nonlocking, 20 amperes and over.....................................   8    20,911      51,025      19,396      47,696
36432 34     Appliance and special applications all amperages, all types..........   4    10,485       3,792      10,799       3,742
36432 35     Dust and explosion proof ............................................   3       (D)         (D)         (D)         (D)
36432 37     All other types, including surface outlets...........................   8     8,113      47,423       7,428      45,423

36433 --    Switches for electrical circuitry.....................................  80   891,608   1,387,721     890,931   1,310,396
             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    72,064      49,357      66,657      44,801
36433 63      Single pole, over 15 amperes........................................   6     5,388      15,173       5,046      14,291
36433 64      Other than single pole, including but not limited to double pole
               3-way, 4-way.......................................................   8    36,889      55,698      32,415      46,137
             A.c.-d.c., except mercury:
36433 65      Single pole, all amperages..........................................   5     2,020       2,286       2,044       2,690
36433 66      Other than single pole, including but not limited to double pole
               3-way, 4-way AND...................................................   5
36433 67     Mercury AND..........................................................   4
36433 68     All other general use switches, including but not limited to surface-
              mounted.............................................................  10    18,014      18,000      15,280      16,547
             Special purpose switches:
36433 70      Appliance and fixture, including pendant and canopy types and
               variable speed controls............................................  22   108,424     169,707     100,566     149,608
36433 71      Precision (1/8" gap or less) snap-acting switches, excluding limit
               switches...........................................................   9    97,493      70,958     106,134      79,322
36433 72      Aircraft types......................................................   9     2,589      82,033     r/3,221      95,288
36433 76      Automotive types....................................................  30   343,305     614,099     357,164     583,755
36433 77      All other special purpose switches (including foot actuated), light
               sensing and signal actuated........................................  22   192,186     196,900     190,063     178,570
             Dimmers:
              Incandescent:
36433 93       Infinitely variable, 600 watts or less.............................  11     9,139      51,643       8,264    r/44,448
36433 94       Infinitely variable, over 600 watts................................  11       411      25,472       r/614    r/23,125
36433 95      All other types, including but not limited to portable lamps and
               high-low switches..................................................  10     3,686      36,395       3,463    r/31,814

36434 --    Metal contacts, precious and other....................................  16  1/23,259     290,471  1 r/29,923   r/332,304
36435 --    Wire connectors, including connectors used under national electrical
             application..........................................................  63  1/23,487     999,755    1/23,105     915,758
36435 82     Pressure connectors, where pressure is applied by screw, cone, or
              other mechanical device.............................................  24     1/225     129,514       1/218   r/127,565
36435 83     Compression connectors, uninsulated terminals and splicers, tool
              installed...........................................................  24   1/1,870     132,160     1/2,590     123,788
36435 84     Preinsulated terminals and splicers, tool installed..................  15   1/1,502     162,089     1/1,425     149,481
36435 86     Banded or strip terminals and splicers, machine installed............  15   1/6,388     114,267   1 r/6,297   r/106,007
36435 87     Pigtail connectors, including wire nuts..............................  15   1/2,349      62,571     1/2,135      57,315
36435 88     Blade or pin type, separable terminations and splicers...............  11   1/4,923     109,127     1/5,316     101,637
36435 89     Other wire connectors n.e.c., including solder type..................  27   1/6,231     290,027   1 r/5,123   r/249,965

36436 --    Other current-carrying wiring devices, including attachment plug caps,
             connector bodies, lightning arresters, pin and sleeve convenience
             power outlets, etc................................................... 101       (X)     891,136         (X)     857,583
             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..........................................................  15    44,710      15,906      58,435      14,655
              2-pole, 3-wire and up:
36436 41       Locking, 15 amperages and under....................................   9     2,607       9,652       2,504       9,038
36436 42       Locking, 20 amperages and over.....................................   8     2,607      24,518       2,435      24,261
36436 43       Nonlocking, 15 amperes and under...................................  13    23,332      40,742      22,492      38,947
36436 44       Nonlocking, 20 amperes and over....................................  12    11,907      25,231       9,306      19,865
36436 46      Appliance and special application types AND.........................   9
36436 47      Dust and explosion, except pin and sleeve AND.......................   2
36436 48      All other types, except pin and sleeve..............................   2     3,839      30,072       3,827      26,658
             Connector bodies and flanged outlets, all types:
36436 49      2-pole, 2-wire, all types, all amperages............................  11     6,604       2,584       7,413       2,736
              2-pole, 3-wire and up:
36436 51       Locking, 15 amperes and under......................................   9     1,480       6,891       1,291       6,174
36436 53       Locking, 20 amperes and over.......................................   8     1,287      19,628       1,218      19,606
36436 55       Nonlocking, 15 amperes and under...................................  12     5,487      24,452       5,180      23,517
36436 57       Nonlocking, 20 amperes and over....................................   9       969       3,131         794       2,827
36436 59      Appliance and special application types, all amperages AND..........   8
36436 61      Dust and explosion proof, except pin and sleeve AND.................   -
36436 63      All other types(excluding pin and sleeve)...........................   2    38,079      42,223      36,889      40,487
             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       719      26,892         579      26,981
36436 67       Attachment plug caps...............................................   9       376      24,650         394      24,940
36436 69       Connector bodies...................................................   8       384      20,292         360      18,765
              Pin and sleeve, dust and explosion proof (120 volts and over, 20
               amperes and over):
36436 71       Convenience and power outlets AND..................................   3
36436 73       Attachment plug caps AND...........................................   2
36436 75       Connector bodies AND...............................................   2
36436 77      Pin and sleeve, less than 120 volts, less than 20 amperes, all types
               except electronic..................................................   3       356      10,533         435      11,628
36436 79     Fluorescent starters.................................................   5     9,349       2,778       9,324       2,596
36436 81     Terminal blocks......................................................  20    90,375      77,174      80,185      75,988
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)      31,061         (X)      56,746
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....................   7       (X)      98,783         (X)      86,074
36436 87     Choke coils and all other protective devices AND.....................   4
36436 89     Rail bonds for both propulsion and signal circuits AND...............   3
36436 91     Lightning rods AND...................................................  10
36436 92     Overhead trolley line material, except pole and transmission line
              construction materials and expansion plugs for roof bolting in mines   3       (X)      41,922         (X)      38,934
36436 94     Electric harnesses and assemblies, excluding engine harnesses (from
              purchased wire).....................................................   9       (X)      49,174         (X)    r/45,259
36436 98     All other wiring devices with integral ground fault circuit
              interrupting capabilities, excluding circuit breakers...............   6    17,300      10,651      14,618       7,850
36436 99     Miscellaneous, including but not limited to combination devices,
              adaptors, current taps, surface extensions, and rosettes............  40       (X)     252,196         (X)     233,051

3644- --   Noncurrent-carrying wiring devices..................................... (X)       (X)   3,104,613         (X)   2,930,289

36441 --    Pole and transmission line hardware...................................  36       (X)     515,508         (X)     493,621
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)     424,940         (X)     395,661
36441 13     Pole and transmission line anchors...................................   6       (X)      15,336         (X)      16,264
36441 14     Pole and transmission line construction materials, manufactured to
              specification, where such materials are not otherwise commercially
              available AND.......................................................   5       (X)         (D)         (X)         (D)
36441 51     Suspension hardware for high voltage insulators, including clamps and
              fittings, strain yokes and fittings.................................   5       (X)         (D)         (X)         (D)

36442 --    Electrical conduit and conduit fittings...............................  83       (X)   1,547,552         (X)   1,496,545
             Rigid conduit, excluding couplings, nipples, bends, and elbows:
              Steel (short tons):
36442 21       Standard weights (short tons)......................................   8 a/238,832   a/214,043     230,214     206,375
36442 22       Intermediate (short tons) AND......................................   3
36442 25      Aluminum (short tons) AND...........................................   3
36442 26      Other metal conduit (short tons)....................................   -   115,487      46,563      90,951      46,107
36442 24      Nonmetallic conduit (1,000 lbs.)....................................   8   525,945     221,331   r/539,278   r/227,675
36442 27     Electrical metallic tubing (short tons)..............................   6   327,957     244,613     310,066     223,937
36442 33     Flexible steel and aluminum conduit (1,000 feet).....................   8   144,219      48,324     207,089      53,518
36442 32     Flexible nonmetallic conduit (1,000 pounds)..........................  12    73,625      43,508    r/71,818      49,659
             Raceways and wire ways, including fittings, metal.................... (X)       (X)     254,263         (X)     241,794
36442 34      Surface.............................................................  15       (X)      95,372         (X)    r/86,945
36442 37      Underfloor AND......................................................   2
36442 38      Ventilated cable tray and accessories...............................   4       (X)      56,883         (X)      60,789
36442 51     Cast conduit bodies, covers, and gaskets.............................  11       (X)     102,008         (X)      94,060
             Rigid conduit fittings, including couplings, nipples, bends, and
              elbows.............................................................. (X)       (X)     184,883         (X)     179,021
36442 53      Couplings, connectors, and unions...................................  19       (X)     115,918         (X)     110,241
36442 54      Locknuts and bushings...............................................   9       (X)      22,310         (X)      20,510
36442 59      All other rigid conduit fittings....................................   7
36442 52      Nonmetallic conduit fittings........................................  12       (X)      46,655         (X)      48,270
             EMT fittings (couplings and connectors).............................. (X)       (X)      83,932         (X)      76,368
36442 56      Gland type..........................................................  15       (X)      36,116         (X)      31,416
36442 57      Set-screw type......................................................  12       (X)      33,103         (X)      31,873
36442 58      All others..........................................................   9       (X)     a/2,263         (X)     a/2,340
36442 44     Service entrance caps, ells, and connectors..........................  13       (X)      12,450         (X)      10,739
             Cable, cord, and flexible conduit fittings........................... (X)       (X)     169,802         (X)     156,351
36442 71      Armored cable, metallic sheathed cable, and flexible conduit fitting  14       (X)      64,655         (X)      61,748
36442 77      Liquid-tight flexible conduit fittings..............................  12       (X)      62,837         (X)      56,942
36442 72      Nonmetallic sheathed cable and cord fittings........................  16       (X)      42,310         (X)      37,661
36442 46     Other electric conduit fittings......................................  20       (X)      36,290         (X)      35,740

36443 --    Other noncurrent-carrying wiring devices and supplies.................  80       (X)   1,041,553         (X)     940,143
             Stamped metal boxes, covers, and accessories, including stamped
              conduit boxes....................................................... (X)       (X)     468,000         (X)     395,572
36443 31      Switch and receptacle boxes.........................................  14       (X)     274,145         (X)     245,564
36443 32      Outlet boxes........................................................  12       (X)     104,673         (X)      80,264
36443 33      Covers..............................................................  14       (X)      57,397         (X)      45,664
36443 34      Supports, bar hangers, and other accessories........................  15       (X)      31,785         (X)      24,080
             Cast metal boxes, covers, gaskets, and accessories................... (X)       (X)     138,355         (X)     134,048
36443 41      FS and FD switch and receptacle type................................  12       (X)      30,580         (X)      30,667
36443 42      Outlet type.........................................................   7       (X)      35,689         (X)      34,540
36443 43      Junction type.......................................................  19       (X)      72,086         (X)      68,841
             Switch, outlet, FM/TV, and telephone wall plates..................... (X)       (X)     184,253         (X)     163,285
36443 35      Metallic............................................................   8    44,549      26,970      41,694      25,466
36443 36      Nonmetallic.........................................................  10   358,985      80,468     328,653      70,984
36443 37     Plastic boxes and covers.............................................  16       (X)      76,815         (X)      66,835
             Floor boxes and covers............................................... (X)       (X)     250,945         (X)     247,238
36443 39      Metallic AND........................................................   8
36443 40      Non-metallic........................................................   4       (X)      36,125         (X)      30,979
36443 48     Other noncurrent carrying wiring devices and supplies................  36       (X)     214,820         (X)     216,259

   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.

   - Represents zero.     (D) Data withheld to avoid disclosing figures for individual companies.     n.e.c. Not elsewhere classified.
r/Revised by 5 percent or more from previosly published figures.     (X) Not applicable.

   1/Quantities for product codes beginning with 36434 and 36435 are published in millions of units rather than thousands of units.



Table 3. VALUE OF SHIPMENTS, EXPORTS, AND IMPORTS OF SELECTED WIRING DEVICES: 1992 AND 1991

(Millions of dollars)

                                  Exports of
                                   domestic
                                merchandise 1/
                      Manu-
                 facturers'                                 Percent                                  Percent
                  shipments               Estimated      exports to    Imports for     Apparent   imports to
    Product          f.o.b.              producers'  manufacturers'           con-         con-     apparent
  description      plant 1/  At port 2/    value 3/       shipments  sumption 1 4/  sumption 5/  consumption

     1992

Lampholders....       204.5        10.4         8.9               5           62.7        256.8           24
Metal contacts.       290.5        22.7        19.3               8           22.7        290.5            8

     1991
Lampholders....       214.7         6.9         5.9               3           53.2        261.0           20
Metal contacts.       332.3        24.5        20.9               7           18.6        326.4            6

   1/For comparison of SIC codes with Schedule B export numbers and HTUSA import numbers, see table 5.
   2/Source: Bureau of the Census report EM 545, U.S. Exports.
   3/These values were derived by use of adjustment factors to exclude freight, insurance, and other charges
incurred in moving goods to the port of export. This adjustment is made to convert the values to an approximation
of the producers'value of exported goods. Current adjustment factors are based on data for 1989 which are published
in Exports from Manufacturing Establishments, AR89-1, appendix B. The adjustment factor for this report is 0.8512.
   4/Source: Bureau of the Census report IM 145, U.S. Imports for Consumption.
   5/Apparent consumption is derived by subtracting exports from the sum of manufacturers' shipments and imports.



Table 4. COMPARISON OF STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION-BASED PRODUCT CODES
  WITH SCHEDULE B EXPORT NUMBERS, AND HTUSA IMPORT NUMBERS: 1992

 Product             Product description                 Export           Import
    code                                              number 1/        number 2/

36431 00  Lampholders..............................8536.61.0000     8536.61.0000

36434 00  Metal contacts...........................8538.90.0040     8538.90.0040

36433 60
36433 63
36433 64
36433 65
36433 66  Switches, other than dimmers.............*8536.50.0060    8536.50.0060
36433 67                                           *8535.30.0040    8535.30.0040
36433 68
36433 70
36433 71
36433 72
36433 76
36433 77

36433 93
36433 94  Switches, dimmers........................*8533.39.0040    8533.39.0040
36433 95

36435 00  Wire connectors..........................*8536.69.0060    8536.69.0060

                                                   *8547.90.0020    8547.90.0020
36442 00  Conduit fittings.........................*8547.90.0030    8547.90.0030
                                                   *8547.90.0040    8547.90.0040

   * This code is partially correlated with the products described.

   1/Source: 1992 edition, 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 (1992).
             Switch, outlet, FM/TV, and telephone wall plates..................... (X)