Outlet Installation | Receptacle Installation |
| | |  • Non-Dedicated Outlets A non-dedicated outlet is an outlet that is energized by nearest power source and is intended for conveniece usage and not inteded for appliances or high power equipment. There are several types and styels of outlets. Standard and Decora outlets are most common. Standard outlets are round with a figure 8 look. Decora style outlets are rectagular in shape. An electrical outlet is an opening or series of openings connected to a wired power source meant to power electrical equipment and components. It is one of the most commonly used items in a home or building and can be found nearly universally, although many countries have different standards or voltages. As a result, not all outlets, or the components they are intended for, are compatible with each other. Most household electronic components get their power from a cord that is plugged into the outlet. The plug of the component transfers power from the electrical outlet to the device requiring it. Another wire then takes the electricity back to its original location. For simplification, in a home environment, this is the electrical panel. Due to this round-trip routing, it is often called an electrical circuit. An electrical outlet or receptacle is a socket that connects an electrical device to an electricity supply. In buildings, electrical outlets are usually installed in the wall, although they can also be installed in the floor. Occasionally, they are found in the ceiling for powering devices such as garage door openers or neon signs in storefront windows. Different countries often have different outlet types and voltages. Adapters are available to convert between the different types. Types of electrical receptacles: how to select the right type of electrical receptacle (outlet): It's important to use 20-A rated receptacles if the electrical circuit is a 20-amp circuit. Don't install a grounded electrical receptacle plug on a circuit that has no electrical ground. Remember to install AFCI or GFCI devices where they are required. This article explains how to match the receptacle type to the circuit type and use. This article series describes how to choose, locate, and wire an electrical receptacle in a home. Electrical receptacles (also called electrical outlets or "plugs" or "sockets") are simple devices that are easy to install, but there are details to get right if you want to be safe. The proper type of electrical receptacle must be selected: some receptacles are rated only for 15-Amp circuits and must not be installed on a 20-Amp circuit. 20-Amp electrical receptacles may be designed to only accept plugs for 20-Amp appliances (which may have a different plug-spade configuration in which one of the plug terminals is twisted to be at 90 degrees to the other). Some 20-Amp electrical receptacles are designed to accept either conventional plugs used by a 15-A appliance as well as 20-A plugs used by a 20-A appliance. It's generally ok to plug a 15-A appliance into a 20-A circuit since that appliance is not going to overload the circuit in normal use. But the opposite is not true. If you plug a 20-Amp appliance into a 15-Amp circuit you are risking overloading the circuit and tripping the circuit breaker, blowing the fuse, or worse, overheating the circuit and risking a fire. Older two-wire electrical circuits may provide only the hot and neutral wires and no ground wire. If no ground wire or ground path is provided, it is improper and unsafe to install a grounding (3-prong) electrical receptacle on that circuit. Choosing GFCI and AFCI Receptacles It's best to leave the decision as to what type of Outlet suits your needs to one of the pros at SafeSide Electrical Contractor, Ohio Ground fault protection - GFCI's: The NEC also requires that only special ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected outlets can be installed in certain hazardous locations like kitchens, baths, garages, outdoors. A GFCI-protected electrical receptacle includes circuitry that turns the electric power off at the outlet quickly should a ground-fault (electricity flowing to earth, such as through your hand and down a water pipe) be detected. Arc fault protection - AFCI's: Beginning in 2002 the NEC also required arc fault protection for electrical outlets for bedrooms. AFCI's are similar to GFCI's discussed above, but they include an additional level of protection against fire by detecting small electrical arcing at a connection - a condition that can lead to overheating and fire. As you can see from this US CPSC photo, you can add Arc fault protection to a home circuit by installing a special circuit breaker in the electrical panel. By this means you can provide arc fault protection and thus improved fire safety for all electrical outlets on the circuit - for example in the building's bedrooms 
|  • Dedicated Outlets For the purpose of home safety, medium and heavy duty appliances must have their own circuit which is called a dedicated circuit. Within the circuit breaker box or fuse box in your home, there are several divisions. Each section of your home or business has a separate section with a separate circuit breaker or fuse for protection. There are 2 types of circuits, Single-pole, 120v circuits, and 2-pole, 220v circuits. The heavier circuits require extra protection and typically use 2-pole, 220v circuit breakers, because heavy duty appliances like dryers, ovens and A.C.'s use 220v power. There are some common areas like the kitchen counter top, the heating and air-conditioning units and the bathrooms which need dedicated circuits. All heavy, medium and light appliances used in the kitchen and bathroom require dedicated circuits. These would include the electric range, oven, counter-top appliance outlets, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, disposal, clothes washer, water pump, and whirlpool sauna unit.  • Outdoor Weatherproof Outlets Outdoor outlets require more precautions and codes. There is a higher possibility of exposure to water and humidity. All outdoor outlets are required by code to be GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt) protected and have a Waterproof In-Use Cover |
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