Introduction to Electrical Receptacle and Outlets

The electrical outlet is a device that provides power to the connected load with the use of a cord and plugs. The basic outlet used at homes has a rating of 15 and 20 amperes. The 15 amps and 20 amps plugs are connected and fitted in 20 amp outlets. 20 amp plugs not connected with 15 amp outlet. The commonly used outlets duplex comes with 2 outlets.  So let’s get started with Introduction to Electrical Receptacles and Outlets.

Introduction to Electrical Receptacle or Outlets

• The electrical outlet or receptacle is called a wall outlet that is socket-connected appliances or devices with a power supply.
• In larger buildings outlets are connected to the wall and they can also connected to the floor. Normally they exist in the ceiling for providing power to devices like garage door openers, and neon signs of storefront windows.
• Different types of outlets are connected based on voltage and for the conversion of outlets according to applications adapters are used.

How Electrical Receptacles Work

The conventional duplex receptacles come with two points for device connection. The receptacles come with half-round holes that get rounding plugs.

The contact from this hole to the green grounding screw that connected with the house ground for protection due to shock if the device is connected.

Older houses do not come with receptacles with grounding holes where ground adapters used that are small plugs transform the end of three-pronged plugs into two prongs. For using them connect ground metallic flange or green wire with a wall receptacle middle screw.

If needed replace the receptacle connected ground box till the system is grounded with grounding wire.

It needed to have 3 different color screws, brass screws for live or hot wire, silver for white or neutral wire,e and green screws for ground wire.

The Green terminal screw is connected with either bare wire or a metallic electric box.

Outdoor receptacles are connected with certain types of covers that handle different weather conditions. The ground fault circuit interrupter is called GFCI off the circuit if there is a high level short.

Parts of Outlets

 

Mounting Strap

• The mounting strap exists at the lower side of the outlet. That comes with a metallic piece having two holes. When screws are configured in holes it keeps receptacles in position so keep level through the external side of the box.

Nonmetallic Cable

• Plastic jacket used for the creation of non-metallic cable that comes with white, black, and bare copper wire that connected with circuit breaker panel.

Contact Opening

• Contact openings are used for the connection of electrical plugs. Normally contact openings come in different sizes and shapes according to outlet type, voltage provided, and location.

Terminal Screws

• Terminal screws are a safe point of wire connection that is existed in receptacles that helps to protect wires. They are silver and brass screws. Silver screws are used for the connection of white wires and brass screws are used for black wire connection. Make a wire connection with the required screws since it can cause short circuits.

Electrical Outlet Wiring Diagram

• Here you can see outlet wiring with switch is as. Here the switch is connected to the electrical outlet by reducing hot wire from outlet brass terminals and connected with the primary switch terminal.
• The other terminal of the switch is connected to the outlet brass terminal. In this configuration, electric outlet wiring is  made and controlled through a switch

Types of Electrical Outlets

15A 120V Outlet

The 15 amp outlet is commonly used for residential applications. It is a common type of outlet for 120VAC supply having a 15A high current drawn. This outlet comes with 14 gauge wire that is protected with 15 A breakers.

These are low cost outlets and can easily connected to the circuit.  It is commonly used for small to mid-level power devices such as laptops, chargers smartphones, desktops, etc. It is best to use for lights that need less amperes and voltage for functions.

20A 120V Outlet

20A 120V outlets are a common part of wiring systems in the  USA that operate with 250 VAC power supply and draw about 20-ampere maximum current. This outlet comes with a different outlet than the 15A outlet have a small size horizontal slot. This outlet uses 10 gauge, and 12 gauge wire through a 20 ampere breaker. It is used for high power using devices such as microwave ovens.

20A 250V Outlet

This outlet draws a 20-ampere maximum current. This outlet is used for high-power devices such as larger-size ovens, stoves, air compressors, etc. This outlet has about 3 to four prongs and uses a double pole breaker for connection with the main electrical panel.

30A 250V Outlet

This outlet draws a maximum of 30 ampere current and 250 VAC supply. These outlets are used in high-power applications such as AC systems, welding instruments, and AC systems.

GFCI Outlet

Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter is mostly used in kitchens and bathrooms and for locations where there are moisture exits and chances of shock. GFCI outlets avoid ground faults by checking the current flow in hot and neutral wires. If the current flow in both wires is not saved it means current leakage exists to the ground and the GFCi outlet trip circuit. Normally there is a current difference of five millimaprs detected with the GFCI outlet. It comes in different capacity ratings.

 Smart Outlets

The common uses of smart voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and google home assistant help to use smart devices commonly. The TVs, LED, and AC are supported by smart functions and controlled with an assistant. Smart plugs or outlets are also used for controlling smart devices. With the use of smart devices, we can control the power of the device connected.

USB Outlets

There are commonly seen USB wall outlets that are used for charging tablets, power banks, and smartphones with use of USB. These outlets come with one or more USB sockets connected to the wall.USB outlets come in two basic categories one outlet comes with a main 15 ampere outlet through USB connectors while other types come with USB connectors or any normal household receptacles.

Electrical Outlet Orientation

The outer orientation is with the ground pin to the bottom. It is also considered that orientation must be with the ground at the upper part. That orientation reduces metallic connection with the line and is neutral at the time of plugging or unplugging the cord.

15 Amp Outlet Diagram

20 Amp Outlet Diagram

 

Decora Style Outlets

Decora style is a decoration type of standard duplex outlet. Decora style is higher cost than conventional outlet.

Outlet vs Receptacle

An electrical outlet is another name for a receptacle. Stores that have appliances for home improvements called electrical outlets as receptacles. Outlets are points where the electrical system is checked. The lighting outlet is an electrical box where the light fixture is connected and gets power.

A receptacle outlet is an electrical box where the outlet is connected and gets power.

Advantages of  Electrical Outlet

• The outlet turns off power for certain outlets that are controlling power or controlling devices when not in use.
• If there are any electrical faults in the circuit electrical outlet will disconnect power for any outlet.
• It can easily disconnect all devices connected.
• It comes with high-security features.
• It can also itself turn off easily.

Disadvantages of electrical outlets

• The electrical outlet comes with a switch element makes the socket high cost than a standard outlet.
• The switch of the outlet has chances for corrosion with time and needs repairs and replacement.
• If the switch by mistakenly turned off it will disconnect the power supply to connected devices.
• It causes high electric sparks.

FAQS

What are the two Common Outlets used at Home?

• 15A, 120 Volt Outlets, and 20A, and 125 Volt Outlets are commonly used at home

What are the Three Holes in an Outlet?

• The first or left hole is neutral, 2nd hole or right hole is hot, and 3rd hole is a GND hole.