Outlets are so common in nearly every home… but not all outlets are the same. Have you ever tried to plug something in and it didn’t fit? (For example, a 3-pronged device but your outlet only has 2 holes.) Ever wonder why that is?
There are many types of electrical power outlets, and more are being created. Do you know which ones are right for your home? If you are thinking about upgrading outlets or renovating this spring or maybe even buying a new home, take a moment to educate yourself on these different types.
Two vs Three-Prong Outlets
Two-prong outlets are in a lot of older homes. They can fit many devices that only have two prongs such as coffee grinders, phone chargers, some adapted computer chargers, and more. The problem with two-prong outlets is that they are not grounded, and any device that you plug into them will not be protected from any power surges which can severely damage your devices. There are also a lot of higher-powered devices that will not fit into a two-prong outlet as they have the third prong.
If all you find in your home or business are two-prong outlets, it may be that the electrical system is not grounded. This is unsafe for both you and your electrical devices and appliances because there is no way to prevent an electrical short from happening. You don’t want to be at the receiving end of electrical short, especially where there is water such as in your kitchen and bathrooms.
Three-prong outlets are the most common type to find in your kitchen, bedroom, living room, and more. The third circular prong is the grounding wire which sends any stray electricity into the ground rather than through the device and anyone touching it. With the three-prong outlet, you can stick with the typical 15 amp system or upgrade to a 20 amp system if you tend to use a lot of high-powered devices. Make sure you have three prong outlets installed with the proper rating for your electrical circuits and panel.
When you hire Hunt’s Services for your electrical needs, we will always do an inspection of your electrical system and panel before we begin any work to make sure it is properly grounded and rated to handle the loads for all your electrical devices and appliances. Some electrical devices, such as hot tubs require 220 vs 110-volt electrical circuits and outlets to insure they work properly and do not overheat or damage your appliance or electrical panel.
GFCI Protection
A GFCI, or ground fault circuit interrupter, is an outlet that will automatically shut the flow of power off when it senses a short circuit or a major power surge. (You often see these with one or more buttons on the outlet). These outlets will often be where the outlet or device could come into contact with water, such as in the kitchen or bathroom. A GFCI can protect us from a major accident.
If properly installed, GFCI is designed to prevent an electrical shock to a person by shutting off the power in as little as 1/40th of a second. GFICs also protect your home or business from an electrical fire due to a faulty connection or unprotected electrical wire going to the outlet. It is a good idea to hire a certified licensed electrician to install your GFCI outlet to make sure it is done correctly and up to current codes. If your outlet is outside or exposed to water, such as rain, make sure the outlet you have installed is waterproof or you will be constantly tripping your electrical circuits.
USB Outlets
USB outlets are for charging electrical devices like phones, e-readers, wireless headphones and more. These outlets come either with several USB ports or with a combination of three prong and USB plugins. The benefit of these plugs is the ability to plug in multiple rechargeable devices at once while maintaining full charging speed. As you know from your cell phones, computers, and iPads, finding and using an USB outlet when you are at the airport or other public facility can often times be the difference between being able to use your phone or needing to charge it.
Smart outlets allow you to turn each outlet on and off just by using your phone. Smart outlets can be beneficial for night time lighting, holiday pre-sets, Christmas lights and much more. You have to have a smart hub already installed in your house for this to work. For a lower-tech option, there are also outlets that have an on/off switch above the plugin.
Many newer homes or ones being built today will come with USB Outlets. Hunt’s Services certified electricians can install USB Outlets where ever it is most convenient for you. There are different types of USB Outlets and we can explain them to you so you can decide which ones are the best for you.
Rotating outlets allow you to plug in a device that has a large charging case and turn it so that another case would fit nicely next to it, maximizing your space potential.
There are many options for the outlets in your home. Which one is right for you? When you hire Hunt’s Services to service, repair or install your electrical outlets you can rest assured your work will be done according to current electrical codes and done right the first time.
