Wiring Devices and Supplies: 2006 Issued June 2007

MA335K(06)-1

Current 

Industrial

Reports

Current data are released electronically on Internet $5 billion in 2005. Also, noncurrent-carrying devices 

for all individual surveys as they become avail- valued at $5.6 billion in 2006 increased 6.4 percent 

able. Use: http://www.census.gov/mcd/. from $5.3 billion in 2005. 

Individual reports can be accessed by choosing

"Current Industrial Reports (CIR)," clicking on Lampholders, valued at $80.3 million in 2006, were 

"CIRs by Subsector;" then choose the survey of down 3.8 percent from $83 million in 2005; 

interest. Follow the menu to view the PDF file convenience and power outlets decreased 1.6 

or to download the worksheet file (XLS format) percent, from $357 million in 2005 to $351.3 million

to your personal computer. in 2006; switches, valued at $1.7 billion in 2005, 

increased $1.8 billion in 2006; metal contacts, 

These data are also available on Internet valued at $250 million in 2005, increased to $310 

through the U.S. Department of Commerce million in 2006; wire connectors increased from $1.4

and STAT-USA by subscription. The Internet billion in 2005 to 1.6 billion in 2006; other currentaddress is: www.stat-usa.gov/. Follow the carrying wiring devices remained relatively the same 

prompts to register. Also, you may call at $1.3 billion; pole line and transmission hardware 

202-482-1986 or 1-800-STAT-USA, for increased slightly from $1 billion in 2005 to $1.1 

further information. billion in 2006; electrical conduit and conduit fittings 

increased 6 percent, from $2.6 billion in 2005 to $2.8 

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS billion in 2006; and other noncurrent-carrying wiring 

devices, valued at $1.9 billion in 2006, increased 8.6 

During 2006, manufacturers' shipments of percent from $1.7 billion in 2005. 

wiring devices and supplies totaled $11 billion,

an increase of 6.2 percent from $10.3 billion in For general CIR information, explanation of 

2005. Current-carrying wiring devices accounted general terms and historical note, see the 

for $5.3 billion, an increase of 6 percent from appendix.

U S C E N S U S B U R E A U U.S. Department of Commerce

 Economics and Statistics Administration

Helping You Make Informed Decisions U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Address inquiries concerning these data to Investment Goods Industries Branch, Manufacturing and Construction Division (MCD), Washington, DC 20233-6900, or 

call Shelby Peterson, 301-763-7697.

For mail or fax copies of this publication, please contact the Information Services Center, MCD, Washington, DC 20233-6900, or call 301-763-4673.
Table 1. Value of Shipments of Wiring Devices and Supplies by Class of Product: 1997 to 2006 

[Millions of dollars] 

Product

code Product description 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997

335931 Current-carrying wiring devices...................... 5,350 5,025 5,112 4,802 4,808 5,197 5,585 5,396 5,448 5,300

3359311 Lampholders................................................ 80 83 95 103 116 155 156 159 194 194

3359313 Convenience and power outlets, both

 general and special purpose, 

 excluding pin and sleeve type................... 351 r/ 357 410 380 370 370 409 415 461 436

3359315 Switches for electrical circuitry................... 1,767 1,656 1,662 1,777 1,515 1,635 1,869 1,752 1,840 1,775

3359317 Metal contacts, precious and other............. 310 r/ 250 274 197 180 184 246 236 226 214

3359319 Wire connectors for electrical 

 circuitry..................................................... 1,565 1,391 1,339 1,213 1,200 1,403 1,546 1,517 1,450 1,462

335931A Other current-carrying wiring devices,

 including attachment plug caps, 

 connector bodies, lightning arrestors,

 and pin and sleeve convenience

 power outlets............................................. 1,277 1,287 1,332 1,132 1,427 1,450 1,359 1,317 1,277 1,219

335932 Noncurrent-carrying wiring devices................ 5,660 5,299 4,515 3,784 4,021 4,552 5,004 4,660 4,463 4,424

3359321 Pole line and transmission hardware.......... 1,056 r/ 1,017 868 748 717 778 939 958 852 856

3359323 Electrical conduit and conduit fittings........ 2,753 2,590 2,193 1,694 1,915 2,079 2,308 2,306 2,126 2,184

3359325 Other noncurrent-carrying wiring 

 devices and supplies................................. 1,851 1,692 1,453 1,342 1,389 1,695 1,757 1,396 1,485 1,384

 r/Revised by 5 percent or more from previously published data. 
Table 2. Quantity and Value of Shipments of Wiring Devices and Supplies: 2006 and 2005 

[Quantity in thousands of units. Value in thousands of dollars] 

 No.

 Product Product description of

code cos. Quantity Value Quantity Value

Wiring devices and supplies............................................. (X) (X) 11,010,384 (X) 10,323,132

335931 Current-carrying wiring devices................................... (X) (X) 5,350,401 (X) 5,024,588

3359311 Lampholders............................................................... 16 195,571 80,307 217,881 82,656

 Incandescent:

3359311104 Outlet box, threaded, medium base 

 only, pull and keyless types........................... 3 11,649 12,889 12,288 13,347

3359311106 Weatherproof, threaded, medium base 

 only................................................................. 3 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359311107 Candelabra base, all types and sign and

 fixture, medium base only.............................. 4 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359311113 All other incandescent lampholders................. 8 38,494 26,912 a/ 40,088 28,340

 Fluorescent:

3359311114 Bi-pin................................................................... 5 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359311123 All other lampholders, including cold

 cathode neon, slimline, recessed

 double contact, bases for quartz lamps,

 and all other fluorescent, including but

 not limited to circline, panelescent, and

 starter holders................................................ 9 (D) (D) 28,081 13,300

3359313 Convenience and power outlets................................ 9 a/ 222,965 351,310 a/ 231,719 r/ 356,993

3359313107 2-pole, 3-wire and up outlets (flush), 

 locking, all amperes............................................ 4 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359313111 2-pole, 3-wire and up outlets (flush), 

 nonlocking, 15 amperes and under.................... 5 a/ 93,838 69,530 (D) (D)

3359313112 2-pole, 3-wire and up outlets (flush), 

 nonlocking, 20 amperes and over...................... 6 39,537 65,451 38,734 61,841

3359313117 All other types, including dust and explosion

 proof, ground fault, appliance and special

 applications, surface outlets, and 2-pole/

 2-wire.................................................................. 8 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359315 Switches for electrical circuitry................................ 65 a/ 590,389 a/ 1,767,267 a/ 524,352 a/ 1,656,449

 General-use flush-mounted switches, 

 designed for mounting in switch or 

 outlet boxes (except dimmers):

 Ac (except mercury):

3359315103 Single pole, all amperes................................ 5 95,540 104,245 100,044 104,516

3359315106 Other than single pole, including 

 but not limited to double pole 

 3-way, 4-way............................................... 4 a/ 46,215 87,476 a/ 47,060 84,973

3359315112 All other general-use switches, 

 including surface mounted, a.c.-d.c.,

 mercury, etc. .................................................. 5 (D) (D) (D) (D)

 Special-purpose switches:

3359315312 Appliance and fixture, including 

 pendant and canopy types and

 variable speed controls............................... 11 17,444 53,747 r/ 16,844 r/ 48,431

3359315314 Precision (1/8-inch gap or less) 

 snap-acting switches, excluding

 limit switches.............................................. 7 c/ 8,360 c/ 75,482 (D) (D)

3359315218 Automotive types.......................................... 24 a/ 228,477 700,643 a/ 216,586 a/ 644,914

3359315322 All other special-purpose switches,

 including foot actuated, aircraft 

 types light sensing and signal 

 actuated...................................................... 31 173,907 a/ 489,416 113,754 489,051

 Dimmers:

 Incandescent:

3359315422 Infinitely variable, 600 watts or less........ 6 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359315424 Infinitely variable, over 600 watts............ 5 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359315426 All other types, including but not 

 limited to portable lamps and

 high-low switches................................... 5 (D) c/ (D) (D) (D)

3359317 Metal contacts, precious and other........................... 20 b/ 5,447,450 310,071 b/ 5,325,684 b/r/ 249,967

3359319 Wire connectors, including connectors used

 under national electrical application...................... 57 a/ 34,321,441 1,564,551 a/ 29,698,396 1,391,209

2006 2005

Page 1
Table 2. Quantity and Value of Shipments of Wiring Devices and Supplies: 2006 and 2005 

[Quantity in thousands of units. Value in thousands of dollars] 

 No.

 Product Product description of

code cos. Quantity Value Quantity Value

2006 2005

3359319102 Pressure connectors, where pressure is

 applied by screw, cone, or mechanical

 device.................................................................. 18 a/ 1,122,471 a/ 232,857 a/ 713,545 196,130

3359319104 Compression connectors, uninsulated 

 terminals and splicers, tool installed................. 20 c/ 2,864,146 b/ 184,271 2,737,092 r/ 173,231

3359319106 Preinsulated terminals and splicers, tool

 installed.............................................................. 15 1,030,529 190,358 830,845 175,921

3359319108 Banded or strip terminals and splicers,

 machine installed................................................ 7 a/ 1,402,690 55,957 1,506,966 53,225

3359319113 Other wire connectors, n.e.c., including

 solder type, pigtail, and blade or pin

 type..................................................................... 36 a/ 27,901,605 901,108 a/ 23,909,948 792,702

335931A Other current-carrying wiring devices,

 including attachment plug caps, connector

 bodies, lightning arrestors, pin and sleeve

 convenience power outlets, etc. ............................ 94 (X) a/ 1,276,895 (X) a/ 1,287,314

 Attachment plug caps and flanged outlets,

 including motor bases, all types; including

 fused, fuseless, switch, and switchless:

335931A102 2-pole, 2-wire, all types, general-use

 locking and nonlocking, all amperages......... 6 c/ 12,307 5,898 c/ 15,506 7,922

 2-pole, 3-wire and up:

335931A104 Locking, all amperes..................................... 5 b/ 824 3,958 667 3,582

335931A106 Locking, 20 amperes and over...................... 5 c/ 4,647 26,420 b/ 4,291 26,448

335931A107 Nonlocking, all amperes............................... 9 b/ 10,596 24,459 10,739 24,318

335931A112 All other types (except pin and sleeve),

 including dust and explosion proof,

 appliance and other special application......... 6 (D) (D) (D) (D)

 Connector bodies and flanged outlets,

 all types:

335931A114 2-pole, 2-wire, all types, all amperages............ 4 (D) (D) (D) (D)

 2-pole, 3-wire and up:

335931A116 Locking, 15 amperes and under................... 6 (D) (D) (D) (D)

335931A118 Locking, 20 amperes and over...................... 6 1,197 19,253 1,246 18,679

335931A119 Nonlocking, all amperes............................... 6 4,835 25,619 4,872 23,867

335931A124 All other types (except pin and sleeve),

 including dust and explosion proof,

 appliance and other special application......... 6 (D) (D) (D) (D)

 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):

335931A128 Attachment plug caps................................... 6 46 8,734 39 5,265

335931A133 All other pin and sleeve, including

 convenience and power outlets, 

 connector bodies, dust and explosion

 proof, 20 amperes types, etc. .................... 11 8,041 106,643 r/ 7,752 r/ 86,124

335931A134 Fluorescent starters.................................................. 2 (D) (D) (D) (D)

335931A136 Terminal blocks.......................................................... 13 b/ 109,803 b/ 200,248 b/r/ 81,593 r/ 158,819

335931A138 Lightning arrestors for alternating current

 power transmission systems and sub-

 stations; U.S. designation, station and

 intermediate, I.E.C. designation 10 kA

 and 5 kA Series A.................................................... 3 (X) 38,498 (X) r/ 31,133

335931A141 Lightning arrestors for alternating current

 power distribution systems and substations;

 U.S. designation distribution and secondary

 I.E.C. designation 5 kA Series B, 2.5 kA 

 and 1.5 kA............................................................... 5 (X) 110,057 (X) 110,848

335931A144 Lightning rods........................................................... 16 (X) a/ 104,501 (X) 92,420

335931A146 Electric harnesses and assemblies, excluding

 engine harnesses (from purchased wire)................ 20 (X) a/ 167,004 (X) 154,268

335931A148 All other wiring devices with integral ground

 fault circuit interrupting capabilities, 

 excluding circuit breakers...................................... 4 (D) (D) (D) (D)

Page 2
Table 2. Quantity and Value of Shipments of Wiring Devices and Supplies: 2006 and 2005 

[Quantity in thousands of units. Value in thousands of dollars] 

 No.

 Product Product description of

code cos. Quantity Value Quantity Value

2006 2005

335931A151 Miscellaneous, including combination 

 devices, adapters, current taps, surface

 extensions, rosettes, choke coils, rail 

 bonds, and overhead trolley line materials............ 29 (X) a/ 247,699 (X) b/r/ 367,427

335932 Noncurrent-carrying wiring devices............................. (X) (X) 5,659,983 (X) 5,298,544

3359321 Pole and transmission line hardware........................ 31 (X) 1,055,530 (X) r/ 1,016,777

3359321102 Pole and transmission line construction

 materials, also known as overhead and

 underground line hardware for electric

 transmission, distribution and communi-

 cation lines......................................................... 24 (X) 682,757 (X) r/ 709,336

3359321107 All other pole and transmission line

 hardware, including anchors.............................. 13 (X) 372,773 (X) 307,441

3359323 Electrical conduit and conduit fittings..................... 55 (X) 2,753,156 (X) 2,589,903

3359323101 Rigid metal conduit, excluding couplings,

 nipples, bends, and elbows................................ 10 (X) a/ 312,432 (X) 330,445

3359323106 Nonmetallic conduit (1,000 pounds).................... 10 813,244 660,927 846,978 586,018

3359323108 Electrical metallic tubing (short tons).................. 6 417,809 576,095 418,640 696,212

3359323111 Flexible steel and aluminum conduit 

 (1,000 feet).......................................................... 5 b/ 229,426 102,755 b/ 251,158 97,393

3359323112 Flexible nonmetallic conduit (1,000

 pounds)............................................................... 6 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359323114 Raceways and wire ways, including 

 fittings, metal..................................................... 11 (X) (D) (X) (D)

3359323116 Ventilated cable tray and accessories................... 6 (X) 81,212 (X) r/ 57,383

3359323118 Cast conduit bodies, covers, and gaskets............. 5 (X) (D) (X) (D)

3359323119 Other electrical conduit and conduit 

 fittings................................................................ 2 (X) (D) (X) (D)

 Rigid conduit fittings, including 

 couplings, nipples, bends, and elbows:

3359323221 Couplings, connectors, and unions.................. 13 (X) 82,953 (X) 82,149

3359323222 Locknuts and bushings..................................... 7 (X) 20,462 (X) r/ 18,466

3359323224 All other rigid conduit fittings.......................... 7 (X) a/ 77,175 (X) a/ 64,412

3359323226 Nonmetallic conduit fittings............................. 9 (X) 236,323 (X) 129,567

 EMT fittings (couplings and connectors):

3359323228 Gland type......................................................... 2 (X) (D) (X) (D)

3359323231 Set-screw type................................................... 3 (X) (D) (X) (D)

3359323232 All others.......................................................... 6 (X) 39,493 (X) r/ 32,176

3359323234 Service entrance caps, ells, and 

 connectors.......................................................... 5 (X) 4,305 (X) 3,536

 Cable, cord, and flexible conduit fittings:

3359323236 Armored cable, metallic sheathed

 cable, and flexible conduit fittings................. 9 (X) 43,924 (X) 33,423

3359323238 Liquid-tight flexible conduit fittings................ 9 (X) 63,188 (X) 55,478

3359323241 Nonmetallic sheathed cable and cord

 fittings............................................................ 7 (X) 29,167 (X) 25,879

3359323242 Other cable, cord, and flexible conduit

 fittings............................................................ 12 (X) 68,926 (X) 59,953

3359325 Other noncurrent-carrying wiring devices

 and supplies............................................................ 58 (X) 1,851,297 (X) 1,691,864

 Stamped metal boxes, covers, and 

 accessories, including stamped

 conduit boxes:

3359325102 Switch and receptacle boxes............................. 9 (X) (D) (X) (D)

3359325204 Outlet boxes...................................................... 5 (X) 183,376 (X) 178,681

3359325206 Covers............................................................... 8 (X) 36,298 (X) 35,101

3359325208 Supports, bar hangers, and other 

 accessories...................................................... 9 (X) (D) (X) (D)

 Cast metal boxes, covers, gaskets, and

 accessories:

3359325311 FS and FD switch and receptacle type.............. 8 (X) 17,498 (X) (D)

3359325315 Outlet and junction types................................. 14 (X) a/ 134,620 (X) 117,439

 Switch, outlet, FM/TV, and telephone 

 wall plates:

3359325316 Metallic.............................................................. 7 (D) (D) (D) (D)

3359325318 Nonmetallic....................................................... 6 a/ 77,333 114,551 r/ 75,502 a/r/ 100,351

Page 3
Table 2. Quantity and Value of Shipments of Wiring Devices and Supplies: 2006 and 2005 

[Quantity in thousands of units. Value in thousands of dollars] 

 No.

 Product Product description of

code cos. Quantity Value Quantity Value

2006 2005

3359325321 Plastic boxes and covers....................................... 14 (X) 223,536 (X) r/ 212,241

3359325322 Floor boxes and covers......................................... 8 (X) 62,197 (X) 57,168

3359325324 Other noncurrent-carrying wiring devices

 and supplies........................................................ 32 (X) a/ 407,861 (X) a/ 348,578

 D 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. X Not applicable. 

 

 Note: Percent of estimation of each item is indicated as follows: a/10 to 25 percent of this item is estimated. b/26 to 50 percent 

of this item is estimated. c/Over 50 percent of this item is estimated.

Page 4
Table 3. Value of Shipments, Exports, and Imports of Selected Wiring Devices: 2006 and 2005 

[Millions of dollars] 

 Exports of

 Product description Manufacturers' domestic

 shipments merchandise Imports for

 f.o.b. plant 1/ at port 1/2/ consumption 1/3/

2006

Lampholders............................................................................ 80.3 27.2 90.6

Metal contacts.......................................................................... 310.1 233.5 153.2

2005

Lampholders............................................................................ 82.7 26.0 77.7

Metal contacts.......................................................................... r/ 250.0 193.8 125.4

 r/Revised by 5 percent or more from previously published data. 

 1/For comparison of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)-based product code 

with Schedule B export codes and HTSUSA import codes, see Table 4. 

 2/Source: Census Bureau report EM 545, U.S. Exports. 

 3/Source: Census Bureau report IM 145, U.S. Imports for Consumption. 
Table 4. Comparison of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)-Based Product 

 Codes with Schedule B Export Codes and HTSUSA Import Codes: 2006 

Product 

code Production description Export code 1/ Import code 2/

3359311 Lampholders............................................................................... 8536.61.0000 8536.61.0000

3359317 Metal contacts............................................................................ 8538.90.7040 8538.90.8040

 1/Source: Harmonized System-based Schedule B, Statistical Classification of Domestic and 

Foreign Commodities Exported for the United States (2006). 

 2/Source: Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, Annotated (2006). 
Current Industrial Reports A-1

Appendix. 

General CIR Survey Information, Explanation of General Terms

and Historical Note

GENERAL

The CIR program has been providing monthly,

quarterly, and annual measures of industrial activity for

many years. Since 1904, with its cotton and fats and oils

surveys, the CIR program has formed an essential part

of an integrated statistical system involving the quinquennial economic census, manufacturing sector, and

the annual survey of manufactures. The CIR surveys,

however, provide current statistics at a more detailed

product level than either of the other two statistical

programs.

The primary objective of the CIR program is to

produce timely, accurate data on production and

shipments of selected products. The data are used to

satisfy economic policy needs and for market analysis,

forecasting, and decision making in the private sector.

The product-level data generated by these surveys are

used extensively by individual firms, trade associations,

and market analysts in planning or recommending

marketing and legislative strategies, particularly if their

industry is significantly affected by foreign trade.

Although production and shipments information are the

two most common data items collected, the CIR

program collects other measures also such as

inventories, orders, and consumption. These surveys

measure manufacturing activity in important commodity

areas such as textiles and apparel, chemicals, primary

metals, computer and electronic components, industrial

equipment, aerospace equipment, and consumer

goods.

The CIR program uses a unified data collection,

processing, and publication system. The U.S. Census

Bureau updates the survey panels for most reports

annually and reconciles the estimates to the results of

the broader-based annual survey of manufactures and

the economic census, manufacturing sector. The manufacturing sector provides a complete list of all

producers of the products covered by the CIR program

and serves as the primary source for CIR sampling.

Where a small number of producers exist, CIR surveys

cover all known producers of a product. However, when

the number of producers is too large, cutoff and

random sampling techniques are used. Surveys are

continually reviewed and modified to provide the most

up-to-date information on products produced. The CIR

program includes a group of mandatory and voluntary

surveys. Typically the monthly and quarterly surveys are

conducted on a voluntary basis. Those companies that

choose not to respond to the voluntary surveys are

required to submit a mandatory annual counterpart

corresponding to the more frequent survey.

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION

SYSTEM (NAICS), 1997 

The adoption of the North American Industry

Classification System (NAICS) in the 1997 Economic

Census has had a major impact on the comparability of

current and historic data. Approximately half of the

industries in the manufacturing sector of NAICS do not

have comparable industries in the Standard Industrial

Classification (SIC) system that was used in the past.

While most of the change affecting the

manufacturing sector was change within the sector,

some industries left manufacturing and others came into

manufacturing. Prominent among those that left

manufacturing are logging and portions of publishing.

Prominent among the industries that came into the

manufacturing sector are bakeries, candy stores where

candy is made on the premises, custom tailors, makers

of custom draperies, and tire retreading. The net effect

of the classification changes are such that if the 1997

value of shipments data for all manufacturers were

tabulated on an SIC basis, it would be approximately 3

percent higher.

Listed below are the NAICS sectors:

21 Mining

22 Utilities

23 Construction

31-33 Manufacturing

42 Wholesale Trade

44-45 Retail Trade

48-49 Transportation and Warehousing

51 Information

52 Finance and Insurance

53 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

54 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

55 Management of Companies and Enterprises

56 Administrative and Support and Waste Management

and Remediation Services

61 Educational Services

62 Health Care and Social Assistance

71 Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation

72 Accommodation and Foodservices

81 Other Services (except Public Administration)

(Not listed above are the Agriculture, Forestry,

Fishing, and Hunting sector (NAICS 11), partially covered

by the census of agriculture conducted by the U.S.

Department of Agriculture, and the Public

Administration sector (NAICS 92), covered by the census

of governments conducted by the Census Bureau.)
Current Industrial Reports A-2

The 20 NAICS sectors are subdivided into 96

subsectors (three-digit codes), 313 industry groups

(four-digit codes), and, as implemented in the United

States, 1170 industries (five- and six-digit codes).

FUNDING

The Census Bureau funds most of the surveys.

However, a number of surveys are paid for either fully

or partially by other Federal Government agencies or

private trade associations. A few surveys are mandated,

but all are authorized by Title 13 of the United States

Code.

RELIABILITY OF DATA

Survey error may result from several sources

including the inability to obtain information about all

cases in the survey, response errors, definitional

difficulties, differences in the interpretation of

questions, mistakes in recording or coding the reported

data, and other errors of collection, response,

coverage, and estimation. These nonsampling errors

also occur in complete censuses. Although no direct

measurement of the biases due to these nonsampling

errors has been obtained, precautionary steps were

taken in all phases of the collection, processing, and

tabulation of the data in an effort to minimize their

influence.

A major source of bias in the published estimates is

the imputing of data for nonrespondents, for late

reporters, and for data that fail logic edits. Missing

figures are imputed based on period-to-period

movements shown by reporting firms. A figure is

considered to be an impute if the value was not directly

reported on the questionnaire, directly derived from

other reported items, directly available from

supplemental sources, or obtained from the respondent

during the analytical review phase. Imputation generally

is limited to a maximum of 10 percent for any one data

cell. Figures with imputation rates greater than 10

percent are suppressed or footnoted. The imputation

rate is not an explicit indicator of the potential error in

published figures due to nonresponse, because the

actual yearly movements for nonrespondents may or

may not closely agree with the imputed movements.

The range of difference between the actual and

imputed figures is assumed to be small. The degree of

uncertainty regarding the accuracy of the published

data increases as the percentage of imputation

increases. Figures with imputation rates above 10

percent should be used with caution.

DATA REVISIONS

Statistics for previous years may be revised as the

result of corrected figures from respondents, late

reports for which imputations were originally made, or

other corrections. Data that have been revised by more

than 5percent from previously published data are

indicated by footnotes.

DISCLOSURE

The Census Bureau collects the CIR data under the

authority of Title 13, United States Code, which

specifies that the information can only be used for

statistical purposes and cannot be published or released

in any manner that would identify a person, household,

or establishment. "D" indicates that data in the cell have

been suppressed to avoid disclosure of information

pertaining to individual companies.

EXPLANATION OF GENERAL TERMS

Capacity. The maximum quantity of a product that can

be produced in a plant in 1 day if operating for 24

hours. Includes the capacity of idle plants until the plant

is reported to be destroyed, dismantled, or abandoned.

Consumption. Materials used in producing or

processing a product or otherwise removing the

product from the inventory.

Exports. Includes all types of products shipped to

foreign countries, or to agents or exporters for

reshipment to foreign countries.

Gross shipments. The quantity or value of physical

shipments from domestic establishments of all products

sold, transferred to other establishments of the same

company, or shipped on consignment, whether for

domestic or export sale or use. Shipments of products

purchased for resale are omitted. Shipments of

products made under toll arrangements are included.

Interplant transfers. Shipments to other domestic

plants within a company for further assembly,

fabrication, or manufacture.

Inventories. The quantity or value of finished goods,

work in progress, and materials on hand.

Machinery in place. The number of machines of a

particular type in place as of a particular date whether

the machinery was used for production, prototype, or

sampling, or was idle. Machinery in place includes all

machinery set up in operating positions.

Net receipts. Derived by subtracting the materials held

at the end of the previous month from the sum of

materials used during the current month.

Production. The total volume of products produced,

including: products sold; products transferred or added

to inventory after adjustments for breakage, shrinkage,

and obsolescence, plus any other inventory adjustment;

and products that undergo further manufacture at the

same establishment. 

Quantities produced and consumed. Quantities of

each type of product produced by a company for

internal consumption within that same company.
Current Industrial Reports A-3

Quantity and value of new orders. The sales value

of orders received during the current reporting period

for products and services to be delivered immediately

or at some future date. Also represents the net sales

value of contract change documents that increase or

decrease the sales value of the orders to which they are 

related, when the parties concerned are in substantial

agreement as to the amount involved. Included as

orders are only those that are supported by binding

legal documents such as signed contracts or letter

contracts.

Quantity and value of shipments. The figures on

quantity and value of shipments represent physical

shipments of all products sold, transferred to other

establishments of the same company, or shipped on

consignment, whether for domestic or export sale. The

value represents the net sales price, f.o.b. plant, to the

customer or branch to which the products are shipped,

net of discounts, allowances, freight charges, and

returns. Shipments to a company's own branches are

assigned the same value as comparable appropriate

allocation of company overhead and profit. Products

bought and resold without further manufacture are

excluded.

Stocks. Total quantity of ending finished inventory.

Unfilled orders (backlog). Calculated by adding net

new orders and subtracting net sales from the backlog

at the end of the preceding year.

HISTORICAL NOTE

Data on wiring devices and supplies have been

collected by the Census Bureau since 1960. Historical

data may be obtained from Current Industrial Reports

available at your local Federal Depository Library.