MA36K-WIRING DEVICES AND SUPPLIES
1993
Contact person:  Jack Matthews, 301-763-2518


SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

   During 1993, manufacturers' shipments of wiring devices and supplies totaled
$7.4 billion, an increase of 1 percent from $7.3 billion in 1992. Current
-carrying wiring devices accounted for $4.2 billion, an increase of less than
1 percent from $4.2 billion in 1992, while the noncurrent-carrying wiring
devices accounted for $3.2 billion, an increase of 1 percent from $3.1 billion
in 1992.  The 1993 shipments included lampholders, valued at $203.0 million,
up 3 percent from $197.3 million in 1992; convenience and power outlets, valued
at $339.7 million, up 2 percent from $332.0 million in 1992; switches, valued
at $1.5 billion, up 3 percent from $1.4 billion in 1992; metal contacts, valued
at $207.8 million, down 13 percent from $240.1 million in 1992; wire connectors,
valued at $990.6 million, down 2 percent from $1.0 billion in 1992; other
current-carrying wiring devices valued at $959.7 million, up 1 percent from
$953.3 million in 1992; pole line and transmission hardware, valued at $539.6
million, down less than 1 percent from $541.6 million in 1992; electrical
conduit and conduit fittings, valued at $1.6 billion, up 2 percent from $1.6
billion in 1992; and other noncurrent-carrying wiring devices, valued at $1.0
billion, up 1 percent from $997.7 million in 1992.


Table 1. VALUE OF SHIPMENTS OF WIRING DEVICES AND SUPPLIES, BY CLASS OF PRODUCT: 1984 TO 1993

(Millions of current dollars)

Product
  code         Product description           1993     1992      1991     1990     1989     1988      1987      1986      1985      1984

  3643   Current-carrying wiring devices. 4,173.4  4,153.6   3,939.3  3,857.8  4,031.4  3,921.9   3,663.6   3,320.5   3,433.0   3,399.2
  36431   Lampholders....................   203.0    197.3     214.7    230.0    240.3    226.6     218.4     202.0     195.0     184.8
  36432   Convenience and power outlets,
           both general and special
           purpose, excluding pin and
           sleeve type...................   339.7    332.0     308.6    287.0    301.2    304.3     290.6     278.8     270.8     254.5
  36433   Switches for electrical
           circuitry..................... 1,472.6  1,423.5   1,310.4  1,348.6  1,376.6  1,524.6   1,425.2   1,254.5   1,265.0   1,274.0
  36434   Metal contacts precious
           and other.....................   207.8  r/240.1     332.3    317.4    375.4    201.8     176.6     159.8     201.6     208.5
  36435   Wire connectors for electrical
           circuitry.....................   990.6  1,007.3     915.8    844.3    857.2    842.0     794.6     720.9     778.7     764.0
  36436   Other current-carrying wiring
           devices, including attachment
           plug caps, connector bodies,
           lightning arrestors, and
           pin and sleeve convenience
           power outlets.................   959.7  r/953.3     857.6    830.4    884.2    822.6     758.2     704.6     721.9     713.4

  3644   Noncurrent-carrying wiring
          devices........................ 3,177.5  3,140.4   2,930.3  3,095.8  3,114.7  3,212.1   2,791.1   2,434.1   2,459.5   2,355.4
  36441   Pole line and transmission
           hardware......................   539.6  r/541.6     493.6    516.5    525.5    455.3     384.6     375.2     380.5     370.3
  36442   Electrical conduit and
           conduit fittings.............. 1,633.4  1,601.1   1,496.5  1,657.7  1,664.7  1,833.9   1,528.6   1,265.9   1,275.7   1,223.3
  36443   Other noncurrent-carrying
           wiring devices and supplies... 1,004.5    997.7     940.1    921.6    924.5    923.0     877.9     793.0     803.2     761.9

 
Table 2. QUANTITY AND VALUE OF SHIPMENTS OF WIRING DEVICES AND SUPPLIES: 1993  AND 1992

(Quantity in 1,000 units; value in $1,000)

                                                                                       No.           1993                    1992
 Product                              Product description                               of
    code                                                                              Cos.    Quantity      Value    Quantity       Value

          Wiring devices and supplies................................................  (X)         (X)  7,350,923         (X)   7,294,004

3643       Current-carrying wiring devices...........................................  (X)         (X)  4,173,424         (X)   4,153,589

36431 --    Lampholders..............................................................   36     700,587    202,960     671,179     197,329
             Incandescent:
36431 04      Push through and pull types, all materials, threaded, medium base only
                (excluding outlet box type and socket interiors).....................    5     178,783     40,479     166,799      42,971
36431 03      Outlet box, threaded, medium base only, pull and keyless types.........    7      18,875     20,321    r/18,706    r/20,712
36431 06      Weatherproof, threaded, medium base only...............................    9       4,200      4,552       4,142       4,165
36431 11      Candelabra base, all types.............................................   11    c/67,899   a/11,534    r/70,749    r/11,743
36431 13      Sign and fixture, medium base only.....................................    7      42,860     25,317    r/45,891    r/26,645
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)................   17   b/135,383   a/47,553     129,757      43,967
             Fluorescent:
36431 15      Bi-pin.................................................................    8     204,582     26,258     191,868      23,516
36431 21      Slimline...............................................................    5      18,186      6,456    r/16,321     r/5,861
36431 23      Recessed double contact................................................    5      11,275      7,863      10,322       7,105
36431 25      All other fluorescent, including but not limited to circline,
               panelescent and starter holders.......................................    6       9,509      3,737    r/10,055     r/4,342
36431 28      All other lampholders,including cold cathode neon, and bases for
               quartz lamps..........................................................    9       8,935      8,890       6,569       6,302

36432 --    Convenience and power outlets, both general and special purpose,
             excluding pin and sleeve type...........................................   14     226,607    339,740     219,665     332,021
36432 27     Receptacles with GFIC (all types, all amperages)........................    5      16,169    114,798      14,337     102,955
36432 28     2-pole, 2-wire (flush, all types).......................................    7         (1)        (1)         (2)         (2)
             2-pole, 3-wire and up (flush):
36432 29      Locking, 15 amperes and under..........................................    6         603      4,313         550       3,872
36432 30      Locking, 20 amperes and over...........................................    6       1,970     19,343       1,807      18,047
36432 31      Nonlocking, 15 amperes and under.......................................    6     161,897     88,548     158,145      86,684
36432 32      Nonlocking, 20 amperes and over........................................    8      22,513     54,264      20,891      51,025
36432 34     Appliance and special applications all amperages, all types.............    4         (1)        (1)      10,485       3,792
36432 39     All other types, including dust and explosion proof, surface
               and 2-pole/2-wire.....................................................    8    1/23,455   1/58,474     2/8,340    2/51,234

36433 --    Switches for electrical circuitry........................................   81     912,509  1,472,578     915,907   1,423,486
             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      75,009     53,379      72,064      49,357
36433 63      Single pole, over 15 amperes...........................................    6       5,798     16,231       5,388      15,173
36433 64      Other than single pole, including but not limited to double pole
               3-way, 4-way..........................................................    8      39,246     61,030      36,889      55,698
36433 51     A.c.-d.c., except mercury...............................................    4         (3)        (3)       5,108       4,822
36433 69     All other general use switches, including surface mounted, mercury, etc.    9  3 a/19,803   3/18,275      15,926      16,487
             Special purpose switches:
36433 70      Appliance and fixture, including pendant and canopy types and
               variable speed controls...............................................   22     105,098    168,778   r/119,024   r/187,269
36433 71      Precision (1/8" gap or less) snap-acting switches, excluding limit
               switches..............................................................   10    a/98,793   a/56,468     100,279      72,485
36433 72      Aircraft types.........................................................    9       2,939     78,972       2,589      82,033
36433 76      Automotive types.......................................................   31     361,518    690,320     344,159     621,273
36433 77      All other special purpose switches (including foot actuated), light
               sensing and signal actuated...........................................   25     192,078    213,682     201,234     205,379
             Dimmers:
              Incandescent:
36433 93       Infinitely variable, 600 watts or less................................   11       8,701     51,505       9,139      51,643
36433 94       Infinitely variable, over 600 watts...................................   10         453     27,535         411      25,472
36433 95      All other types, including but not limited to portable lamps and
               high-low switches.....................................................   10       3,073     36,403       3,697      36,395

36434 --    Metal contacts, precious and other.......................................   15    4/15,546    207,841  4 r/16,896   r/240,103
36435 --    Wire connectors, including connectors used under national electrical
             application.............................................................   69    4/23,818    990,625    4/24,284   1,007,315
36435 82      Pressure connectors, where pressure is applied by screw, cone, or
               other mechanical device...............................................   27       4/507    139,120     4 r/513   r/139,890
36435 83      Compression connectors, uninsulated terminals and splicers, tool
               installed.............................................................   26     4/2,516    128,470   4 r/2,661     133,320
36435 84      Preinsulated terminals and splicers, tool installed....................   17     4/1,603    168,257     4/1,502     162,151
36435 86      Banded or strip terminals and splicers, machine installed..............   16     4/5,646    110,945     4/6,533   r/120,767
36435 87      Pigtail connectors, including wire nuts................................   15     4/2,594     68,125     4/2,307      60,765
36435 88      Blade or pin type, separable terminations and splicers.................   11     4/4,993    123,807     4/5,002     111,351
36435 89      Other wire connectors n.e.c., including solder type....................   29     4/5,959    251,901   4 r/5,766     279,071

36436 --    Other current-carrying wiring devices, including attachment plug caps,
             connector bodies, lightning arresters, pin and sleeve convenience
             power outlets, etc......................................................  120         (X)    959,680         (X)   r/953,335
             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    b/43,238   a/15,232      44,075      15,593
              2-pole, 3-wire and up:
36436 41       Locking, 15 amperages and under.......................................    9       3,092      9,733       2,607       9,652
36436 42       Locking, 20 amperages and over........................................    8       3,224     28,458       2,607      24,518
36436 43       Nonlocking, 15 amperes and under......................................   13      24,772     47,012      23,332      40,742
36436 44       Nonlocking, 20 amperes and over.......................................   11       9,311     22,164      11,707      25,231
36436 45      All other types, except pin and sleeve, including dust and explosion
                proof, appliance, and other special application......................   11       2,306     32,682       4,311      38,016
             Connector bodies and flanged outlets, all types:
36436 49      2-pole, 2-wire, all types, all amperages...............................   11     c/7,209    b/2,772       6,942       2,685
              2-pole, 3-wire and up:
36436 51       Locking, 15 amperes and under.........................................   10       3,289      9,605     r/2,650     r/8,250
36436 53       Locking, 20 amperes and over..........................................    8       1,419     21,607       1,287      19,628
36436 55       Nonlocking, 15 amperes and under......................................   11       5,788     24,269       5,665      24,541
36436 57       Nonlocking, 20 amperes and over.......................................    8         875      3,426         969       3,131
36436 58      All other types, excluding pin and sleeve, including dust and
               explosion proof, appliance, and other special application.............    9      37,263     36,945      38,079      42,223
             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         782     30,750         730      28,196
36436 67       Attachment plug caps..................................................    9         410     23,947         391      25,484
36436 69       Connector bodies......................................................    9         421     21,863         389      20,850
36436 72      All other pin and sleeve, including dust and explosion proof, 20 amp.
               types, etc............................................................    5         (5)        (5)         (5)         (5)
36436 79     Fluorescent starters....................................................    5       8,197      2,572       9,349       2,778
36436 81     Terminal blocks.........................................................   24     118,314     93,747      94,084      79,467
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)     30,265         (X)      31,061
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)     98,177         (X)      98,783
36436 88     Surge suppressors, designed for equipment operating on 110/120 volt
              volt circuits..........................................................    8         (X)     22,091         (X)      29,768
36436 91     Lightning rods .........................................................   13         (X)   a/32,182         (X)      33,030
36436 94     Electric harnesses and assemblies, excluding engine harnesses (from
              purchased wire)........................................................   17         (X)     70,984         (X)    r/61,269
36436 98     All other wiring devices with integral ground fault circuit
              interrupting capabilities, excluding circuit breakers..................    4     5/2,951   5/16,747    5/12,666    5/21,184
36436 97     Miscellaneous, including combination devices, adaptors, current taps,
              surface extensions, rosettes, choke coils, rail bonds, and overhead       38         (X)    262,450         (X)     267,255
              trolley line materials.................................................

3644- --   Noncurrent-carrying wiring devices........................................  (X)         (X)  3,177,499         (X)   3,140,415

36441 --    Pole and transmission line hardware......................................   36         (X)    539,604         (X)   r/541,582
36441 12     Pole and transmission line construction materials, also known as
              overhead and underground line hardware for electric transmission,
              distribution, and communication lines..................................   27         (X)    424,422         (X)     424,319
36441 13     Pole and transmission line anchors......................................    5         (X)     15,281         (X)      15,016
36441 19     All other pole and transmission line hardware...........................   10         (X)     99,901         (X)     102,247

36442 --    Electrical conduit and conduit fittings..................................   85         (X)  1,633,415         (X)   1,601,132
36442 23     Rigid metal conduit, excluding couplings, nipples, bends, and elbows....    9     366,594    255,342     342,101     250,201
36442 24     Nonmetallic conduit (1,000 lbs.)........................................    7     550,507    229,273     521,552     218,186
36442 27     Electrical metallic tubing (short tons).................................    6     321,723    247,209     327,957     244,613
36442 33     Flexible steel and aluminum conduit (1,000 feet)........................    7     161,601     53,902   r/174,636    r/65,223
36442 32     Flexible nonmetallic conduit (1,000 pounds).............................   11    b/79,064     30,824    r/79,979    r/47,263
36442 35     Raceways and wire ways, including fittings, metal.......................   15         (X)    134,902         (X)     119,046
36442 38     Ventilated cable tray and accessories...................................    5         (X)     38,005         (X)    r/37,770
36442 51     Cast conduit bodies, covers, and gaskets................................   10         (X)    109,240         (X)     102,833
             Rigid conduit fittings, including couplings, nipples, bends, and
              elbows:
36442 53      Couplings, connectors, and unions......................................   21         (X)    142,490         (X)   r/124,217
36442 54      Locknuts and bushings..................................................   10         (X)     28,256         (X)    r/24,104
36442 59      All other rigid conduit fittings.......................................    8         (X)        (6)         (X)         (6)
36442 52      Nonmetallic conduit fittings...........................................   14         (X)   6/73,873         (X)  6 r/57,951
             EMT fittings (couplings and connectors):
36442 56      Gland type.............................................................   16         (X)     31,861         (X)      37,205
36442 57      Set-screw type.........................................................   13         (X)     35,812         (X)      34,732
36442 58      All others.............................................................   11         (X)    a/3,398         (X)   a r/3,440
36442 44     Service entrance caps, ells, and connectors.............................   14         (X)      9,811         (X)      13,436
             Cable, cord, and flexible conduit fittings:
36442 71      Armored cable, metallic sheathed cable, and flexible conduit fittings..   16         (X)     64,263         (X)      67,151
36442 77      Liquid-tight flexible conduit fittings.................................   16         (X)     62,476         (X)    r/68,472
36442 72      Nonmetallic sheathed cable and cord fittings...........................   17         (X)     40,861         (X)      43,989
36442 46      Other electric conduit fittings........................................   19         (X)   a/41,617         (X)    r/41,299

36443 --    Other noncurrent-carrying wiring devices and supplies....................   79         (X)  1,004,480         (X)     997,701
             Stamped metal boxes, covers, and accessories, including stamped
              conduit boxes:
36443 31      Switch and receptacle boxes............................................   13         (X)    291,715         (X)     274,142
36443 32      Outlet boxes...........................................................   10         (X)    100,667         (X)     104,673
36443 33      Covers.................................................................   12         (X)     30,303         (X)      57,397
36443 34      Supports, bar hangers, and other accessories...........................   15         (X)     39,566         (X)      31,785
             Cast metal boxes, covers, gaskets, and accessories:
36443 41      FS and FD switch and receptacle type...................................   11         (X)     33,162         (X)      30,580
36443 42      Outlet type............................................................    8         (X)     36,153         (X)      35,689
36443 43      Junction type..........................................................   19         (X)     72,831         (X)      71,605
             Switch, outlet, FM/TV, and telephone wall plates:
36443 35      Metallic...............................................................    8      46,994     22,730      44,549    r/22,770
36443 36      Nonmetallic............................................................    8     237,539     50,426   r/221,146    r/46,250
36443 37     Plastic boxes and covers................................................   16         (X)     82,498         (X)      76,471
36443 38     Floor boxes and covers..................................................    9         (X)     34,925         (X)      36,125
36443 48     Other noncurrent carrying wiring devices and supplies...................   34         (X)    209,504         (X)     210,214

   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.

   n.e.c. Not elsewhere classified.     r/Revised by 5 percent or more from previosly published figures.     (X) Not applicable.

   (1) Product codes 3643228, 3643234, and 3643239 are combined to avoid disclosing figures for individual companies.
   (2) Product codes 3643228 and 3643239 were combined to avoid disclosing data for individual companies.
   (3) Product codes 3643351 and 3643395 are combined for 1993 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 3643698 are combined to avoid disclosing figures for individual companies.
   (6)  Product codes 3644259 and 3644252 are combined to avoid disclosing figures for individual companies.

 
Table 3. VALUE OF SHIPMENTS, EXPORTS, AND IMPORTS OF SELECTED WIRING
  DEVICES: 1993 AND 1992

(Millions of dollars)



                                        Exports of
                     Manufacturers'       domestic     Imports for
      Product             shipments    merchandise            con-
    description     f.o.b. plant 1/  at port 1/ 2/  sumption 1/ 3/

        1993

Lampholders.........          203.0           12.9            61.2
Metal contacts......          207.8           19.2            28.0

        1992
Lampholders.........          197.3           10.4            62.7
Metal contacts......          240.1           22.7            22.7

   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: 1993

 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  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

   * 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.
32      Outlet