Understanding The Various Types Of Electrical Receptacles

If you’re to look at the electrical receptacles in your house, it is probable that you will find a number of different kinds. These different varieties are intended for different purposes, and it is particularly necessary to understand their intended usage to protect yourself from making mistakes. It’s really a wise course of action to become acquainted with the different types of receptacles, because the voltage may vary from one to another one. Here is a listing of the types of electrical receptacles you might find at your residence, together with the way they need to be used.

Most Common: Standard Receptacles

The standard receptacle is undoubtedly the most common in every home. These receptacles are those you will usually find in living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms, and they are used to power small appliances and common equipment. These outlets provide electricity for your lamps, tv sets, computers, and almost anything else. In newer homes you will usually find grounded three prong outlets, but two prong outlets are extremely common, especially in older homes. 120 volts of electricity is provided by these receptacles.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) Receptacles

Ground fault circuit interrupter receptacles, often referred to as a ground fault receptacle or just a “GFCI,” are typically for safety purposes in places where water may occur. These receptacles are used in bathrooms, kitchens and for outdoor outlet installations. You are able to tell that this is a GFCI receptacle because of the buttons that will be on it, which are used for testing and resetting the outlet. These receptacles have built-in circuit breakers, that could save your life if you should touch the receptacle or equipment that’s attached to the receptacle while standing in water. These receptacles need to be tested regularly to be sure that they are still working.

Receptacle for the Electric Range

In case you have an electric range, oven, or stove, you need to be conscious that their electric needs are much greater than standard appliances. As a result, they require their own style of electric receptacle. These receptacles need to have their own circuit breaker for safety. It is also important to remember these particular receptacles should only be used for an electric range, stove or oven. An electrical range carries a bigger than average plug, and also the receptacle that it connects to looks different than a typical receptacle.

Receptacle Made for an Electric Dryer

If you utilize an electric powered dryer for your laundry, then you need to have a specialized electrical receptacle to supply the power. Just as is the case with the range receptacle, these outlets are much bigger than a standard receptacle, and are designed with a completely different plug prong configuration. If your house is older, your dryer receptacle may be a three pin receptacle. New building codes, however, require that these receptacles have four pins. These pins give you the necessary power to the dryer in the form of a 120V line along with a 240V line.

Electric Receptacle Guidelines

Along with looking different, it is very important bear in mind that different receptacles have different wiring needs. Anytime you go to replace receptacles or have some electrical repairs Sacramento needed, you have to access if it’s something you’re comfortable with doing. If you decide that you want to get a new or different outlet, particularly one that’s more specialized, you should consult a licensed Sacramento electrician so that you can avoid wiring and installation mistakes.