Add electrical outlets to workstations with these outlet strips that mount on T-slotted rails. They include a switch to turn power on and off. Use the included fasteners to connect the mounting clips to the rail, then snap the outlet strip into the clips. Outlet strips with surge.
Two-slot outlets should generally be replaced with three-slot outlets, but the best way to add grounding isn’t easy. The two slots in old outlets represent the hot and neutral wires. Since the mid-1960s, the electrical code has required a third slot for an equipment ground, which adds shock and fire protection. How to replace wall outlet two ways. Shut off the Power. In the main service panel (breaker box), find the double-pole circuit breaker that. Discounted 1/24 slot cars on clearance. My Cart 0 items $0.00. Your hobby store for Slot Cars, Rockets, Models, Toys, and more.
Between 1920 and 1960, tens of thousands of houses were built in the United States. Almost all of them had two prong outlets. Many of them still do. While the majority of Indiana’s houses were built in the 1990s, there are more than 8,600 currently for sale built between 1920 and 1960 in the Hoosier state. Many more off the market. If you live in a house with two prong outlets, you might want to consider an upgrade. You are at risk for more than inconvenience when you try and plug in your 21st century TV into one of these outlets.
Risks Associated With Two Prong Outlets
There are two risks associated with two prong outlets: electrocution and power surges. Both of these issues have to do with the fact that the wiring in two prong outlets isn’t grounded. In outlets built since 1962, U.S. electrical code has required all outlets be constructed with a ground wire. This ground wire protects electronics and people from electrical surges and faults by providing a pathway for extra energy to escape the house’s circuitry. When a fault or surge occurs with grounding, the energy travels through the ground wire to the electrical panel. There, it will trip the circuit breaker or blow a fuse, thereby shutting down the circuit before damage (hopefully) occurs. The energy then continues through the ground wire into the earth below the structure, where it dissipates harmlessly.
Without grounding, it’s also impossible to protect your electronics and appliances with surge protectors. Surge protectors work only if they are can connect to a ground wire. Without this wire, they offer no better protection for electronic devices than do multiprong outlets.
Two Prong Outlets are Not Up to Code
Upgrading your home’s electrical system can cost between 5 and 15 percent of your home’s value — a price tag many people cannot afford. With this in mind, regulators determined that homeowners with two prong outlets need not upgrade them. However, that doesn’t mean they’re the safest option.
For more than 50 years, code has required all new construction have grounded, three prong outlets. More recently, U.S. electrical code has required that not only outlets be grounded but that outlets in areas with water present have a GFCI. A GFCI, short for ground-fault circuit interrupter, protects people from electrical shock by cutting off the circuit if a short circuit occurs. (A short circuit is when energy is directed out of the regular circuit pathway through a path with little or no resistance.) If that short circuit occurs because a person is being electrocuted, a GFCI can save their life.
No such protection is available with a two prong outlet.
Two Prong Outlets Suggest Other Problems
Two prong outlets also raise flags about other electrical issues that may be present. Homes built before 1965 were built with 30- or 60-amp fuse panels. While 60-amp fuse panels were made with at least one 240-volt wire for larger appliances, 30-amp fuse panels only provide 120-volt wiring, and they are inadequate for modern household electrical needs.
60-amp fuse boxes are problematic because they, too, cannot handle well modern requirements upon electrical systems. In comparison, newly constructed homes today are built with 200-amp circuit breakers (the service panels that replaced fuse boxes).
When there is too much energy running through a wire, the wire heats up, putting the house at risk for fire. Too much energy (electricity) will also blow fuses. You will have to constantly replace if your fuse box’s amperage rating doesn’t meet your needs.
Another problem to be on guard for when two prong outlets are present is the lack of grounding in outlets that have three prongs. If a house has both two and three prong outlets, it means that the three prong outlets were installed for convenience and that they’re not actually grounded. It could also means that only part of your house’s electrical system is grounded.
You will want to test your outlets to find out whether they are grounded or not. If the three prong outlets are not grounded, regulations require that you label them with the words “No Equipment Ground.”
Four Ways to Upgrade 2 Prong Outlets
To upgrade your two prong outlets, you cannot simply add a three prong outlet. While this will solve the convenience issue, it will not solve the safety issue.
If you truly want to address your two prong outlets and make them safer, you have four options.
Option 1: Rewire Your Outlets
Your first, and best, option is to hire an electrician to rewire your house’s outlets and its electrical panel. If the expense is a concern, consider having your electrician rewire select outlets into which you will plug larger or more sensitive electronic devices, such as a computer or game counsel.
Note that this is not a project you can do yourself. Only a certified electrician has the expertise necessary to run a ground wire from the outlet to the service panel and then properly ground it.
Option 2: Ground Three Prong Outlets with the Metal Housing Box
Many two prong outlets were installed in metal boxes. While the circuitry itself wasn’t grounded, these individual boxes oftentimes were. If your house has two prong outlets with metal boxes, it is possible you can ground your outlets without overhauling the wiring.
To find out whether the metal housing is grounded, purchase a circuit tester. Insert one of the tester’s prongs into the hot slot (the shorter slot in the outlet). Put the other prong onto a screw holding the cover plate. If the tester lights up, it means the metal box is grounded.
If the box is grounded, you can install a three prong outlet and ground it by attaching it to the armored, or BX, cable in the back of the box.
Option 3: Install a GFCI at the Outlet
The third option to upgrade a two prong outlet is to replace it with a GFCI. While a GFCI will not protect your electronics from power surges, it will protect you from electrocution and short circuits. If you replace your ungrounded, two prong outlet with a GFCI, you must label it with “No Equipment Ground.”
Option 4: Install a GFCI at the Circuit Breaker
It’s also possible to replace your two prong receptacles with three prong ones and add a GFCI circuit breaker at the service panel. Doing this will likewise protect you from electrocution. If you do this, you will have to label outlets with “GFCI Protected, No Equipment Ground.”
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Whatever you decide to do, we recommend having a certified electrician complete your electrical work. Safety is always a concern when working with electricity, and an expert will best take care of your home.
Different types of electrical outlets are good for different use cases. Learn if you have the right ones installed at home.
If not all electrical outlets in your home look the same, it’s because there are many different types of electrical outlets. Each type has unique characteristics and features. What works for the bedroom may not be the best for your bathroom counters and vice versa.
Choosing and installing the right electrical outlet for the space’s needs can keep you safe from electrical hazards and make your home more energy-efficient. This guide explains the properties of nine different electrical outlets you can have at home.
1. 15A, 120 Volt Outlets
These are the most common in older homes and come in two versions:
Photo: depositphotos.com
- Two-pronged outlets feature two long connection slots and provide an ungrounded connection.
- The three-pronged version adds a ground pin and an extra vertical slot to help prevent electric shock from loose wiring.
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These are also the cheapest types of electrical outlets on the market and easy to install or replace. At the same time, these can also be prime candidates for an upgrade in the near future. For improved safety and efficiency, it can be a prudent idea to choose more modern alternatives on this list.
Best For: Light home use with appliances that have minimum voltage and amperage requirements.
2. 20A, 125 Volt Outlets
These electrical outlets support a larger power draw than the previous type. Building codes recommend installing 20A outlets for some appliances, such as large kitchen gadgets, that need more power to function.
You can tell these apart from the 15A version by looking for a small horizontal slot alongside the vertical ground slot. These may even be a perfect fit for some washing machines, dishwashers, and space heaters.
Best for: Larger appliances that require more power.
3. 20A, 250 Volt Outlets
Large appliances like air conditioners, air compressors, and hobby shop equipment need even higher levels of power. For such uses, this is the type of electrical outlet to choose.
Before installing these 20A, 250-volt outlets, you will need the proper circuit in place. 250-volt outlets need a double-pole circuit breaker installed in your main panel, a job best left to an electrician. Look at the power specifications of the appliance that you plan to use and choose accordingly. Some appliances such as wall ovens and electric dryers might need even more power than these outlets can provide. For these types of cases, you might want to take a look at 30A or 50A outlets.
Best for: Large appliances with very high power draw and hobby shop equipment.
4. Tamper-Resistant Receptacles
Building codes in most places have now made it mandatory to use tamper-resistant outlets in new construction. These types of electrical outlets utilize a built-in physical barrier to prevent the entry of foreign objects. The internal shutters open only when you insert a two-pronged or grounded plug. If you have children at home, this can be a safe choice. Even if children try tampering with these outlets by putting something other than a plug in, there is no shock hazard.
Best for: Safe use at homes with children.
Photo: depositphotos.com
5. GFCI Outlets
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets are best suited for places close to water. Indoors, this includes spaces like bathrooms, kitchens, basements, crawlspaces, and laundry areas. You can also use GFCI outlets outdoors.
These outlets constantly track the current flow and trip (or cut off power) upon sensing a spike or leap in the current. The interrupter circuit immediately kicks in the moment it detects a dangerous power surge. For outlets near water, a power surge may indicate direct contact with water and the consequent electric shock hazard, like, for example, if you accidentally drop a live hair dryer into your bathtub when it’s full of water. You can easily identify them by looking for “TEST” and “RESET” buttons in different colors on the façade.
Best for: Preventing electrical hazards in areas close to water.
6. AFCI Outlets
Some electrical faults create heat through arcing. Arcing happens in loose contact points in your electrical system where the electricity jumps between connections. The telltale signs are usually sparks or a buzzing sound. This can create an extraordinary amount of heat. Overheating appliances, hammering a nail through a wire by accident, or rodents chewing on wires can all trigger this risk. When arcing occurs, the Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) outlets detect it, and the integrated breaker deactivates the outlet. You can install these in bedrooms and other sleeping areas through a special circuit breaker in your main panel. This is an important safety precaution for areas in your home where you might not always be awake and fully alert. This is also an exceptional option for kitchens and laundry areas.
Best for: Preventing electrical hazards in bedrooms and other sleeping areas, kitchens, and laundry areas.
7. Switched Outlets
If there are appliances or lights you want to keep plugged in all the time even when they aren’t running, consider switched outlets. The unit integrates a socket and a connected switch. Use the switch to control the power to a connected appliance without removing the plug from the outlet. (You do not need a fresh electrical box or any extra wiring to install these.)
Best for: Appliances or lights that you want to keep plugged in always.
Photo: homedepot.com
8. USB Outlets
Devices that charge via USB are common in households today. If you have found yourself frustrated looking for free USB ports or charging bricks, USB wall outlets may be the solution. These give you one or more USB sockets directly on your wall, often sharing a plate with other two- or three-pronged outlets. Just plug in your cables directly into the wall to recharge your smartphone, tablet, or other USB device.
Best for: Powering devices that charge via USB.
9. Smart Outlets
Modern, innovative smart outlets feature built-in mechanisms for monitoring power usage. They can also switch on or off following a program or schedule. For things you want to run on a set schedule, like lawn sprinklers or drip coffee makers, smart outlets can be great. They can also prevent power leakage and help make your home more energy-efficient.
Many smart outlets also feature remote control using Wi-Fi, Zigbee, or Zwave protocols. You can operate and track these remotely with your phone or through voice assistants. Hands-free operation is also possible through Google Home and Amazon Echo smart speakers.
Best for: Energy-efficient homes and people who want to implement home automation.