Receptacle (Outlet)
The device you plug into. "Outlet" is the everyday word; electricians and the code say receptacle. Residential types are standardized by NEMA configuration: 5-15 is the ordinary household outlet.
Each receptacle pattern encodes its voltage and amperage so the wrong plug physically cannot fit: NEMA 5-15 (everyday 120V/15A), 5-20 (the T-slot 20-amp version in kitchens), 14-30 (dryer), 14-50 (range, RV, EV charging). The slots are not symmetrical for a reason: the narrow slot is hot, the wide one neutral, the round hole ground, and devices rely on that order being right.
Receptacles wear out like any mechanical part: the internal contacts lose spring tension, plugs start falling out, and loose blades arc and heat. A receptacle that no longer grips, shows heat marks, or crackles is a $5 part creating a fire-grade risk, one of the better repair bargains in the trade.
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Run the project past a licensed electrical pro first. Calls are answered around the clock and routed to a pro serving your area.
- Dedicated Circuit : A circuit serving exactly one appliance, with its own breaker and nothing else sharing the wire.
- Three-Way Switch : A switch pair controlling one light from two locations, like both ends of a hallway or stairs.
- Dimmer Switch : A switch that varies light brightness by chopping the AC waveform.
- Smart Switch : A wall switch with a radio (Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread/Matter) for app, voice and schedule control.