A knockout plug is a removable piece that blocks unused holes or orifices, commonly used in garbage disposals and electrical boxes. It can be knocked out if the orifice needs to be used. It cannot be reinstalled, but can be replaced with a rubber stopper or spare plug.
A knockout plug is a removable piece of material that blocks an unused orifice. Each knockout plug is typically molded from the same type of material as the pipe or hole it blocks. The name comes from the fact that if the orifice needs to be used, the plug can literally be knocked out. A common use for a knockout plug is the dishwasher hookup found on many garbage disposals. Swivel plugs are also used in a variety of other applications, such as electrical boxes, dashboards and control panels.
Most garbage disposals include an inlet hose that a dishwasher can be connected to. When the dishwasher drains, it can push water into the disposal through this tube. Since not all homes have a dishwasher, waste with this feature will typically have the opening blocked by a pull plug. This prevents the unit from leaking if nothing is plugged into the dishwasher inlet. If there is a dishwasher, the plug can easily be pulled out with a punch and hammer and removed before installation.
Another common use of knockout plugs is in electrical boxes. The box will typically have a number of possible ways to connect a conduit, all of which will be covered by the factory with a knockout plug. After the electrician has determined how many electrical conduits will connect to the box and in what configuration, he can use a hammer and punch to remove the appropriate plugs.
Control panels, dashboards, and other similar applications often use knockout plugs. An example is an automotive dashboard, where the same unit can be used in vehicles that include different options. Instead of creating a unique dash for each application, a single dash can be used with a variety of knockout plugs. This can result in a vehicle that lacks certain options with plugs of some shape on the dash where switches, gauges, or lights would be on other models.
A knockout plug typically cannot be reinstalled after it has been removed, although there are often ways to simulate the functionality. The dishwasher inlet on a garbage disposal can typically be plugged with a rubber stopper. To prevent leaks, the cap can be secured in place with a worm screw clamp. Electrical boxes also often have spare plugs, which typically snap into place to block off any unused conduit holes and prevent electric shock.
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