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 ...

Basic GFCI outlets are generally less expensive than other GFCI outlet types, with manufacturers selling them for $7 to $25 per outlet. These outlets have built-in circuit interrupter technology to ...

Wall outlets might not steal the spotlight when it comes to smart home upgrades, but they're more important (and more advanced) than ever. As our homes fill up with devices, from phones and tablets to ...

The new outlets are available in both 15- and 20-amp versions, with each offering a USB-A charging port on one side and a USB-C charging port on the other to eliminate the need for an adapter. Modern ...

Few things are more convenient than an in-wall smart outlet when you want to turn a lamp or small appliance on and off, and the devices have been around almost as long as smart switches. But you haven ...

A friend who was buying an older house was concerned about electrical safety and asked for my opinion as an electrical engineer. All of the AC receptacles (also called outlets) in the house were the ...

Q: I went to use my hairdryer in the bathroom, but I discovered some of the outlets have stopped working. My GFCI test button won’t push in when I try to reset it, but nothing has tripped in the ...

Unless there’s a major safety issue, you’re only forced to upgrade stuff when inspections are needed, typically during renovations or major repairs. So it’s not too surprising that a lot of older ...

The majority of electrical outlets in your home look more or less the same: two outlets, three holes in slightly different shapes to insert up to three prongs and deliver electricity. Some outlets ...

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 ...