Normal toggle switches don't fit flush in metal electrical box cover

Question

I am trying to replace this old two toggle switch that burnt out in this 4-inch box in my basement:

However, every new switch has these ears the stick up and block it from sitting flush against the front cover. What am I missing here?

ThreePhaseEel · Answer

Those ears snap off
Those are called "plaster ears" and can be broken off using a pair of pliers.  Snapping them off will let you fit the new switch into the existing box.

Normal toggle switches don't fit flush in metal electrical box cover

One Answer

Those ears snap off

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