Receptacles/Electrical/Wall outlets are electrical outlet where a device's plug enters.
In a general sense, receptacles are objects/spaces containing something.
Other senses:
Zoology: organ receiving eggs/sperm/secretion.
Botany: structure supporting sexual organs (algae, mosses, liveworts)
Receptacles' big slot is often on left (neutral side) and small slot often right (hot side).
[8] The 3 wires for basic electric setup are used to connect the prongs of receptacles:
Neutral and hot wires connect to the 2 vertical prongs at the receptacle's top (neutral on left, hot on right) and ground wire connects to the round prong at the bottom.
prongs:
Wires connected to a receptacle with screw terminals. In regular electrical setups, 3 wires are used with plastic-sheathed cables called Romex/NMB cables:
This type of cable is technically called NMB cable, but most electricians refer to it using its most popular brand name, Romex.
Hot (black, or red) wire gives 120 VAC current source. It carries the power
Neutral (white) gives the return path for current from hot wire, connected to an earth ground. It completes the circuit
Ground/Bar (turquoise/green), is a safety electricity path in case of faults. Like neutral wire, it also connect to an earth ground, but both are 2 distinct purposes.
The 3 wires in standard NMB cables connect to a basic outlet's 3 prongs.
Screws
Different screw types Terminals screws types used maybe different between as an electrical panel and a receptacleso the right screwdiver must be used to match the screw's shape, maybe indicated by the screwdiver's handle color.
E.g. Algonquin College's lab's receptacle and electrical panel use different shape of screw terminals, so red screwdivers are used for panel boards and a green screwdivers are for outlets.
[5], [6] Screw terminal/backstab connectors are electrical connection types with wires held by screws' tightenings.
left side
right side
Basic receptacles often have 5 screw terminals:
2 brass-colored/live terminals for hot/live (black) wire (L) is on left side from a receptacle's view.
brass: gold
2 silver-colored/Neutral terminals for neutral wire (N) is on right side from a receptacle's view
For live and neutral terminals, 1 screw is the top and 1 as the bottom terminal.
1 green/turquoise-colored for bare/common wire (G) is also on right side.
Measuring voltages between...
[8] Note: Always put switches/fuses on hot wire, instead of neutral. So if the switch opens/fuse blows, the hot wire's current is stopped beyond the switch into the circuit, minimizing potential shock risk if a wire is loose.
Reverse polarity is if hot wire connects to silver screw and brass screw to neutral
Bending screws A stripper may have a hole on both of its blade to fit a wire in to bend it and place it around a receptacle's screws. (Fig. 4).
Fig. 4
Fig 5
Fig 6
Always clockwise Wires must always connect to a screw in clockwise direction (Fig 5 and 6), often never the other way, for a secure connection before pininng the screw with a screwdiver.
Stripping too much vs. not enough.
1# is stripped perfectly as insulation is just right before the screw.
2# isn't enough stripped as the insulation is too into the screw. The outlet may not work well/
3# is overstripped as the insulation is way behind to where the screw is/too exposed. It can cause the wire to rub the hot wire and cause a short.
Backstab terminals/pins are 3-4 holes behind the receptacles for an easy way to connect wires to outlets/switches, but maybe unreliable and are not recommended often.
Don't press a copper into pins--against CEC codes and it's an outlet's weak point and maybe a failure mode.
Many outlets have a strip gauge (rectangle space) (Fig 1.) to put a wire to know the insulation (Fig 2.; much to strip off) with a wire stripper (Fig. 3).
gauge: measure, size
Fig. 1
Fig. 2 Insert wire in strip gauge
Fig. 3 Strip (cut) off wire via wire stripper
Standard 2-Prong Receptacle (non-grounding) is an older outlet type with 2 slots: 1 for hot (live) wire and 1 for neutral wire. It does not have a grounding slot.
Use Typically found in older homes and for devices that don’t require grounding (e.g., lamps, radios).
Safety Not recommended for modern electrical systems because it lacks grounding protection.
Standard 3-Prong Receptacle (grounding) is the most common outlet, with 2 vertical slots for hot and neutral wires, a round hole for grounding.
Use Found in most homes for everyday appliances like televisions, refrigerators, and computers.
Safety Provides grounding for safety, reducing the risk of electric shock.
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) is a receptacle designed to protect against electrical shock by detecting ground faults and cutting off power when an imbalance is detected.
Use Often where there's water (bathrooms, kitchens, outdoor areas, garages).
Safety Provides enhanced safety by preventing electrocution in wet environments.
AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) Akin to GFCIs but detect arc faults caused by damaged/loose wiring causing fire.
Use Installed in areas where electrical arcing may occur, typically in bedrooms or living areas.
Safety Reduces the risk of fires caused by arc faults.
Tamper-Resistant (TRR) is a type of receptacle includes built-in shutters that prevent the insertion of foreign objects into the slots, providing a higher level of safety, especially for children.
Use Often required in residential settings, particularly in homes with young children, to prevent accidental electrical shock.
Safety Helps prevent the insertion of sharp objects (like keys or paper clips) into the outlet.
Weather-Resistant Receptacle are outdoor outlets enhanced protection from moisture/weather conditions.
Use Installed outdoors, in garages, or in other damp environments.
Safety They offer more durability and safety against the elements than regular indoor outlets.
USB are outlets with built-in USB charging ports, allowing you to charge devices like phones and tablets directly without needing a separate adapter.
Use Found in modern homes and offices, particularly in living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens.
Safety Safe for use as long as they meet UL standards.
8. 240V Receptacle (Large Appliance Outlet) give 240 volts, typically used for heavy-duty appliances like dryers, ranges, and air conditioners.
Use Found in kitchens, laundry rooms, or garages for large appliances.
Safety Must be installed correctly to prevent overloads and ensure safe operation of high-voltage appliances.
Specialty receptacles include outlets specific equipment (RVs/boats/certain industrial machines). They often feature different configurations or voltages.
Use For equipment that requires specific wiring or power ratings (e.g., RVs, workshops, medical equipment).
Safety Must be matched to the equipment’s requirements to avoid damage or hazards.
GFCI protects us from electric shocks. It has electronic monitoring current
overhead lights
a kitchen countertop
a clock radio
Split receptacles are normal receptacles with a tab joining ots 2 live screws broken off. We often have these in ~2 places:
Bedrooms without overhead lights with a bed has a duplex receptacle, which has its top and bottom connected to a light connected to a switch by the door. The duplex receptacle's other receptacle is always live isn't shut off by the switch--we can plug the clock radio to be always kept live and the other one has a switch lamp.
Many objects on a Kitchen countertop (mixer/wafer iron, electric frying plan) so we don't blow fuses and put split receptacles in--using a double breaker uses a 14 wires feeding the split receptacle. A live wire feeds the receptacle's top and one at bottom, using a common neutral. So with a double 15 amp breaker with the broken tab on the receptacle, we can have 15 anos onto the receptacle's top and bottom.
[1] 14 Different Types of Electrical Outlets / Receptacles - ElectronicsHub
[2] Outlets: The Ins and Outs - Electrical Safety Foundation International
[3] How Receptacles Work | The basic working principle explained grounding - YT
[8] Alternating Current in Electronics: Hot, Neutral, and Ground Wires - For Dummies
[Q1] Flashcards
