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Electrical Outlets & Receptacles
Electrical outlets are the place where you are most likely to interact with your home’s electrical system on a
daily basis.
Polarized & Grounded Outlets: 1920s – Present
Since 1920, most homes have been outfitted with polarized outlets that feature two vertical slots of
different sizes. These outlets are designed so that the slot for the neutral wire is wider than the slot for the
hot wire, making it difficult to insert an electrical plug the wrong way. When used with a polarized plug,
these outlets provide protection by keeping electrical current directed.
Grounded outlets have a round hole for the grounding conductor in addition to the two vertical slots. The
circle slot is connected to a ground wire. Grounded outlets are required to be installed in all modern
homes today. If your home does not have grounded outlets, then your electrical system is likely missing
critical safety features. Consult an electrician about updating your home.
Tamper-Resistant Outlets
Every year, 2,400 children are injured from inserting household objects into electrical outlets. Tamper-
resistant outlets (TROs) look like standard wall outlets, but they feature an internal shutter mechanism
which prevents children from sticking objects like hairpins, keys, and paperclips into the receptacle.
This spring-loaded shutter system in a TRO outlet only opens when equal pressure is applied
simultaneously to both shutters, such as when an electrical plug is inserted. Unlike plastic outlet covers,
TROs provide automatic and continuous protection for children.
While hospitals have required TROs for decades, the 2008 edition of the National Electrical Code has just
recently mandated that these specialized outlets be installed in new home construction.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)
Since the 1970s, ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) have saved thousands of lives and have helped
cut the number of home electrocutions in half.
GFCIs are electrical safety devices that trip electrical circuits when they detect ground faults or leakage
currents. A person who becomes part of a path for leakage current will be severely shocked or
electrocuted. These outlets prevent deadly shock by quickly shutting off power to the circuit if the
electricity flowing into the circuit differs by even a slight amount from that returning.
A GFCI should be used in any indoor or outdoor area where water may come into contact with electrical
products. The 2008 edition of the National Electrical Code currently requires that GFCIs be used in all
kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoors. GFCIs should be tested once a month to confirm that they
are working properly.
Testing Your GFCI
GFCIs should be tested once a month to make sure they are working properly. To test your GFCI:
wired or damaged and it does not offer shock protection. Contact a licensed electrician to check the GFCI
and correct the problem.
Electrical outlets are the place where you are most likely to interact with your home’s electrical system on a
daily basis.
Polarized & Grounded Outlets: 1920s – Present
Since 1920, most homes have been outfitted with polarized outlets that feature two vertical slots of
different sizes. These outlets are designed so that the slot for the neutral wire is wider than the slot for the
hot wire, making it difficult to insert an electrical plug the wrong way. When used with a polarized plug,
these outlets provide protection by keeping electrical current directed.
Grounded outlets have a round hole for the grounding conductor in addition to the two vertical slots. The
circle slot is connected to a ground wire. Grounded outlets are required to be installed in all modern
homes today. If your home does not have grounded outlets, then your electrical system is likely missing
critical safety features. Consult an electrician about updating your home.
Tamper-Resistant Outlets
Every year, 2,400 children are injured from inserting household objects into electrical outlets. Tamper-
resistant outlets (TROs) look like standard wall outlets, but they feature an internal shutter mechanism
which prevents children from sticking objects like hairpins, keys, and paperclips into the receptacle.
This spring-loaded shutter system in a TRO outlet only opens when equal pressure is applied
simultaneously to both shutters, such as when an electrical plug is inserted. Unlike plastic outlet covers,
TROs provide automatic and continuous protection for children.
While hospitals have required TROs for decades, the 2008 edition of the National Electrical Code has just
recently mandated that these specialized outlets be installed in new home construction.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)
Since the 1970s, ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) have saved thousands of lives and have helped
cut the number of home electrocutions in half.
GFCIs are electrical safety devices that trip electrical circuits when they detect ground faults or leakage
currents. A person who becomes part of a path for leakage current will be severely shocked or
electrocuted. These outlets prevent deadly shock by quickly shutting off power to the circuit if the
electricity flowing into the circuit differs by even a slight amount from that returning.
A GFCI should be used in any indoor or outdoor area where water may come into contact with electrical
products. The 2008 edition of the National Electrical Code currently requires that GFCIs be used in all
kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoors. GFCIs should be tested once a month to confirm that they
are working properly.
Testing Your GFCI
GFCIs should be tested once a month to make sure they are working properly. To test your GFCI:
- Push the “reset” button on the GFCI to prepare the outlet for testing.
- Plug in an ordinary nightlight into the GFCI and turn it ON. The light should now be on.
- Push the “test” button of the GFCI. The nightlight should turn OFF.
- Push the “reset” button again. The nightlight should now go ON again.
wired or damaged and it does not offer shock protection. Contact a licensed electrician to check the GFCI
and correct the problem.
