How to Replace a Cover for an Outlet in the Floor

Floor outlets are so convenient and offer a safe way to get access to power in the center of a room.

You can use them to plug in accent lamps in your living room or to power your laptop from the comfort of the couch without the tripping hazard of running an extension cord to the nearest wall.

If a floor box cover is missing or damaged, you may be looking for a new replacement cover. Or maybe a new floor is prompting your search for a cover in a different finish. Maybe just a round cap is missing and you want it replaced to put your home on the market.

Replacement covers can be very difficult to find. That's because many floor outlet manufacturers don't sell the covers apart from the floor boxes.

Here is a Guide to Replacing a Cover for an Outlet in the Floor:

STEP 1

First, you need to identify the brand of your floor box. Common brands include Pass and Seymour, Leviton and Allied.

Leviton's brand is often stamped close to the spot where the outlet is screwed into the box.

If you have Leviton brand, you can purchase new round screw-in caps to cover the plugs, but the cover itself isn't sold separately. Go to Step 2.

Pass & Seymour's brand name may be stamped on the front or back of the receptacle or down inside the box. It may simply say "P&S". You may need to cut the power, unscrew the receptacle from the box and flip it over to see the brand markings.

Pass & Seymour doesn't sell caps or covers apart from the boxes. You'll need to purchase an entire new floor box kit.

Allied Moulded's brand name may or may not be on the receptacle. You might find it down inside the box, as shown here:

Allied sells new covers to replace damaged or missing ones. Keep reading to find the correct one.

STEP 2

Next, look to see if you have a single round outlet or a duplex outlet.

It's important to note if there is a single plug or 2 plugs in the box.

Note that in addition to having either 1 or 2 caps, the replacement cover may have different spacing between the screws as well as different cap sizes.

Also - the cap sizes are not only different for single vs duplex outlets, but they also vary in size by brand:

If you have Leviton brand and need just the replacement caps, note that the single round caps are larger than the duplex caps.

Order replacement Leviton caps here:

• Large Single Round Leviton Floor Box Cap
• Small Duplex Outlet Screw Cap for Leviton Floor Box

STEP 3

Finally, take measurements to ensure you are looking at the correct replacements.

Measure 3 things:

1. the size of the old plate or the uncovered box
2. the screw spacing (where the cover screws into the box or device)
3. the cap (or cap opening if cap was misplaced)

Each brand makes covers and caps in slightly differing sizes. The screw spacing is different as well.

Again, note that:

• Allied sells the covers separately (for their boxes only - see links below)
• Leviton sells the caps separately; small or large (for their covers only)
• Pass & Seymour only sells the entire floor box kit.

Allied Moulded:

• Single Cap Size: 1.47"
• Single Outlet Cover: 5.125" H x 3.5" W
• Screw Spread: 4-1/16"
• Buy cover only in brass or nickel.

• Duplex Cap Size: 1.46"
• Duplex Outlet Cover: 5.125" H x 3.5" W
• Screw Spread: 4-1/16"
• Buy cover only in brass, bronze or nickel.

Leviton:

• Single Cap Size: 1.75"
• Single Outlet Cover: 5.5" H x 2.75" W
• Screw Spread: 2-5/8"

• Duplex Cap Size: 1-7/16"
• Duplex Outlet Cover: 3.75" W x 4.5" H
• Screw Spread: 3-13/16"

Pass & Seymour:

• Single Cap Size: 1.74"
• Single Outlet Cover: 4.87" H x 3.25" W
• Screw Spread: 3-13/16" 

• Duplex Cap Size: 1.45"
• Duplex Outlet Cover: 4.87" H x 3.25" W
• Screw Spread: 3-13/16""

Shop all floor box outlets & replacement covers at Kyle Switch Plates.

Replacing the Cover for an Outlet in Your Floor

Floor outlets are so convenient aren't they?

When positioned underneath a couch or side table, they keep your lamp and electronics cords discreetly out of sight. And, they prevent tripping hazards from running cords from side tables to wall outlets.

If they're not underneath furniture, you'll want to keep them covered when they're not in use.

Whether the power plug in your floor has a round, rectangle or square cover plate, you may find at some point that the cover needs to be replaced. Especially if you've decided to sell your home and want to get it Open House ready before your house goes on the market.

At Kyle Switch Plates, we get calls every week about buying just the cover for a floor box outlet.

The problem is, the manufacturers of outlets that go in the floor don't sell the covers separately. The little round caps that fit into the cover plates, are available for purchase if you need replacements.

(Be sure to note brand and size needed before purchasing caps.)

The cheapest way to get a replacement cover for a floor mounted receptacle...
(and this is only if you have a single Leviton brand receptacle - not a duplex outlet) 
...is to buy the Phone Jack Floor Box Kit, and just use the brass cover plate.

(To replace your outlet cover with a phone jack cover, you must ensure you have a single Leviton brand floor receptacle. We recommend double checking the measurements before purchasing.)

If you have to buy a whole new unit in order to just replace your missing or damaged cover, you may want to consider expanding your box to accommodate additional electrical plugs or add data jacks alongside the outlet.

For instance, if you currently have a single receptacle for only 1 plug, consider updating to a duplex receptacle that will allow 2 things to be plugged in. Or, if you already have a duplex outlet in your floor, see if you have room to expand to a larger box that has two outlets side by side, to accommodate 4 plugs at once.

Shop all floor box configurations at Kyle Switch Plates.

Floor box covers are also available in a satin nickel finish to go with gray flooring. (Covers not sold separately.)

3 Convenient Yet Unconventional Places to Add an Electrical Outlet

You buy the perfect table and accessorize with great pieces including that trendy lamp you've been eyeing for months. The only glitch is that now you have to run a hideous cord about 6' down the wall to plug it in.

You're sipping coffee on your couch on a Saturday morning, happily pinning away when your laptop or tablet battery gets critically low. Of course the charging cable won't reach the nearest electrical outlet (why are these cords always so short?) which means you have to pull out an extension cord to continue your lazy morning. Annoying!

You decorate your fireplace mantle with a gorgeous lighted holiday garland only to be distracted for the next month by the ugly green cord stretched awkwardly across the wall.

Any of these sound familiar?

Some well-placed electrical outlets can really simplify things and leave you with the aesthetic appeal you're looking for. Floor box outlets with fancy covers and twist-on caps for when they're not in use are the perfect solution.

3 Places to Add a Floor Box Electrical Outlet in Your Home

1. Underneath your couch or table

I have an outlet directly underneath my couch along with some spare computer and phone chargers. They don't create an eye-sore but they're there when I need them. Another great place is underneath an accent table. Then, you can use a variety of techniques like this easy one to hide your lamp cord.

2. On your fireplace mantle

Add an outlet to the side or top of your mantle and it will change your world. It's great for lighted Thanksgiving or Christmas garlands but you'll most likely find it handy throughout the rest of the year as well.

3. On your headboard

Imagine the convenience of an outlet right there when you're lounging in bed. If you use your smart phone, reading tablet or laptop between the sheets, chances are you need a convenient place to plug in. In my bedroom, the nearest outlet powers my nightstand lamp, alarm clock and phone charger leaving no space for my bulky computer charger. Make using electronics in bed simple with a conveniently placed floor box electrical outlet installed right into your headboard.

Now you know - floor box electrical outlets aren't just for floors. You can add one virtually anywhere you need power. The icing on the cupcake is that they're available in attractive nickel and brass finishes and come with round caps to cover the ugly devices when they're not in use.

Shop floor mounted electrical outlets at Kyle Switch Plates to find the perfect power supply solution for your lifestyle.