Don Vandervort, Head Homeboy, has written more than 30 DIY home improvement books, been a segment host on HGTV, served as MSN.com's home improvement expert and written countless magazine articles.
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.
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