While standard receptacles typically use three wires -- hot, neutral and ground -- you'll occasionally find 2-prong outlets in older homes. Since this type of outlet lacks a ground connection, the ...

John Carlsen has more than a decade of experience testing and reviewing home tech products, with a major focus on smart home security. He earned his BS in journalism from Utah Valley University. In ...

Properly size your electrical outlet before making any important changes. Wall outlets might not steal the spotlight when it comes to smart home upgrades, but they're more important (and more advanced ...

What do a cool home, a chilled beverage, a television show and clean clothing have in common? They are all made possible by some form of energy. For most Americans this source of energy is electricity ...

A. When replacing receptacles, remember that arc-fault circuit-interrupter type and ground-fault circuit interrupter type receptacles must be installed at a readily accessible location [406.4(D)]. If ...

There are 15 standardized types of domestic electrical outlet plugs in use worldwide. The standard North American outlet, for example, has two vertical slots and a round hole beneath them for ...