Electricity is an integral aspect of modern living, and it isn’t easy to enjoy life without it.
You need electricity to light up your home, whether it comes from your solar system or utility. If you need to upgrade your home’s electrical system, it’s a good idea to start by learning about the different types of outlets available.
Most of them are safety gadgets that keep your home safe from various threats. However, this article discusses the different types of electrical outlets.
Read on!
1. Tamper-Resistant Receptacles
The tamper-resistant receptacle has a built-in physical shield to prevent small objects from entering the receptacle.
They have labeled these outlets “TR,” and they have protection. This shield stops the introduction of things other than plugs into the outlet.
Among the different types of electrical outlets, it is safe for children around the home; Even if they try tampering with these outlets by inserting something other than a plug, they will not experience electric shock because there is no shock hazard.
2. 15A 120 Volt Outlet
15A, 120 Volt Outlet is the most popular and cheapest among the different types of electrical outlets. This outlet is of two kinds; Two-pronged and three-pronged versions.
Two-pronged outlets have two lengthy connecting slots, while the three-pronged outlets add a vertical slot and a ground pin to prevent electric shock.
We can plug devices like laptop chargers and phones into this outlet. Furthermore, we can use this outlet with a 120V AC supply with a maximum current of 15A.
3. AFCI Outlet
Another type of electrical outlet is the AFCI, which contains a computer that constantly checks the current and voltage.
Arcing is a type of electrical defect that produces heat. Arcing occurs when electricity leaps between connections in your electrical system’s loose contact points.
The Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter outlets detect it when arcing occurs and deactivate the outlet using the integrated breaker.
Also, we can use the circuit breaker in your main panel to put these in bedrooms.
4. Switched Outlet
The switched outlet is among the different types of electrical outlets that people used to save cost on illumination back in the day.
Now, people use them for only special events. It’s best to consider switched outlets if you have appliances that you want to remain plugged in all the time, even when they aren’t in use. Also, it with an on/off switch and an outlet.
5. GFCI Outlet
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is an electrical outlet that safeguards against ground faults by checking current flow across the hot and neutral wires.
It is easy to recognize this outlet by checking for “TEST” and “RESET” buttons in various colors on the façade. This electrical appliance continuously monitors current flow and trip when they detect a spike in current.
However, a power spike near water may imply direct contact with water and potential electric shock.
6. USB Outlet
USB outlet is among the different types of electrical outlets. It helps charge tablets, phones, and power banks.
You can turn them on and off using your device no matter where you are. USB outlets come in two varieties: one with the main 15A output and another with additional USB connectors.
The alternative version includes USB ports with no standard household outlets. Also, it will require a smart home hub to function because it uses z-wave communication.
7. 20A 250 Volt Outlet
The 20A 250V outlet requires a 250VAC supply and can handle up to 20A of current. It’s frequently used for huge ovens, electric stoves, and other high-powered equipment.
You’ll need the proper circuit in place before installing these 20A, 250-volt outlets. Some appliances may require more power than these outlets can provide, and you might want to look into 30A or 50A outlets for these types of situations.
8. Weather Resistant Receptacle
This outlet is another electrical outlet among the different types of electrical outlets.
Corrosion-resistant metal elements and a weather-resistant lid are typical features of a weather-resistant container. Outlets designed to withstand the elements are frequently available with 15A and 20A power ratings.
Also, these outlets can withstand dirt, snow, rain, and humidity and can be used in several weather conditions.
9. Smart Outlet
These outlets are primarily regulated by wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, or Z-Wave. Smart outlets track how much power is being used by the plugged gadget.
You can use a smart outlet to convert a non-smart device into a smart device, depending on your preference.
10. Ungrounded Outlet
An ungrounded outlet is the last on our list among the different types of electrical outlets.
There are only two slots in an ungrounded outlet: one for the hot and one for the neutral. Ungrounding electrical outlets is not encouraged since the grounding of electrical appliances and equipment is a critical safety component.
If the typical path has an issue, the ground pin acts as an alternate way for the electricity to travel through the connector.
