We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
About Mechanics

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Electrical

What is a Receptacle Outlet?

By Emma G.
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
AboutMechanics is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At AboutMechanics, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

An electrical outlet is also known as a receptacle. A receptacle outlet is an electrical outlet with one or more receptacles installed. Most modern homes have receptacle outlets. The most common of these is the duplex receptacle outlet. It has two identical outlets, usually stacked one on top of the other.

Most homes have dozens of receptacles, and most of these are grouped into receptacle outlets. The most common outlet used in the United States is the 120 volt. This outlet includes three holes.

One small rectangular hole conducts electricity through the plug to the device being powered. This is known as the hot slit. The other rectangular hole is neutral. The two rectangular holes are placed parallel to each other. Below these an arch-shaped hole takes the bottom prong of the plug, which grounds the device.

The common receptacle outlet is made of two or more of these 120 volt receptacles. Receptacles are inset in the wall and wired into the electrical system of the building. They are then covered with a plastic or metal plate so the wires are not exposed. Never remove the cover or insert anything except for a standard 120 volt plug into a receptacle outlet without first turning off the current to that outlet and using a current meter to check that the outlet is not live. Electric shock can cause heart attack or even death.

Special receptacle outlets are used in bathrooms, kitchens, and other damp areas to prevent electric shock. These special receptacles are called ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacles. They have standard three-prong outlets. In between the two outlets there are two buttons—a reset button and a test button. If the GFCI outlet senses that the current coming in is not equal to the current leaving the circuit, it will shut down, thereby preventing the flow of electricity to any device plugged into the receptacle outlet.

Since outlets present the risk of electric shock and fire, the National Fire Protection Organization covers receptacle outlet installation and placement in the National Electrical Code (NEC). Although the code itself is not part of United States national law, many individual states mandate that it must be followed. Before installing or altering any outlets or electrical systems, the home owner should always check the electrical code laws for his or her area. The best way to make sure that all rules are followed properly is by hiring a licensed electrician.

AboutMechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

By andee — On Oct 05, 2011

Our house has a very open floor plan which I love but one thing that has frustrated me is the lack of electrical outlets for reading.

I like to read in a recliner or on the sofa, but because of the open area, there weren't any electrical receptacles close enough to do this without dragging a cord all the way across the floor.

My husband has done some electrical work, so he installed some electrical floor outlets on each side of the sofa and by the recliner.

This was a perfect solution to my problem. Now I have a lamp on end tables that plug directly in to the floor and I can read with adequate lighting.

By Mykol — On Oct 04, 2011

You never think much about electrical receptacle outlets until you have a toddler crawling around your house.

They love to find any little hole they can stick their fingers in and making sure your outlets are covered is so important.

One of the first things I did before my baby even began to crawl was to cover up all the electrical outlets that he could reach.

Sometimes this is a little bit inconvenient, but well worth it so you don't have to worry about kids sticking their fingers in the outlets.

AboutMechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

AboutMechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.