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A/C & Cooling |
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Air & Water Quality |
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Appliances |
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Basement, Attic & Loft |
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Bathrooms |
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Cabinets & Countertops |
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Car, Garage & Shop |
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Childproofing |
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Closets & Storage |
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Decorating & Furnishing |
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Design, Plan, Build |
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Doors |
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Electrical & Lighting |
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Floors & Stairs |
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Green Home, Save Energy |
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Heating & Fireplaces |
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Home Tech |
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Kitchens |
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Landscape & Structures |
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Lawn & Garden |
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Paint & Painting |
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Plumbing & Fixtures |
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Pools, Spas & Saunas |
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Real Estate & Finance |
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Roof, Chimney & Gutters |
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Safe & Secure Home |
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Seasonal, Family & Fun |
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Siding, Columns & Detail |
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Walls & Ceilings |
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Windows & Skylights |
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Electrical Receptacle Types & Voltages |
Code requires that all receptacles for 15- or 20-amp, 120-volt branch circuits (most of the circuits in your home) be of the three-prong, grounding type shown. The specific amperage and voltage a receptacle is suited for is stamped clearly on its front. Receptacles marked AL-CU may be used with either copper or aluminum wire; unmarked receptacles and those marked with a slash through the AL symbol can be used with copper wire only.
To eliminate the possibility of plugging a 120-volt appliance into a 240-volt receptacle, higher-voltage circuits use special receptacles, like the examples shown, along with matching attachment plugs. You'll find both 240-volt and 120/240-volt models; the latter, often servicing a kitchen range or clothes dryer, combine both 240-volt power for the appliance's motor and 120-volt power for timers and other controls.
A note about quality: Receptacles are often labeled "residential," "contractor grade," "commercial," "spec," or "industrial." These terms are somewhat nebulous, but in general, residential or contractor grades are lower quality, while commercial, spec-grade, or industrial-duty versions are higher quality--and more expensive.
Complete Home Wiring
Electricity provides us with comfort and conveniences that we often take for granted until something goes wrong. Fortunately for the do-it-yourselfer, electrical work is one of the easiest kinds of home improvement and repair.
Copyright Sunset Publishing Corporation |
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Got a question about Electrical Receptacle Types & Voltages? Ask or search the HomeTips Forums
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