![]() Overheating appliances, hammering a nail through a wire by accident, or rodents chewing on wires can all trigger this risk. This can create an extraordinary amount of heat. The telltale signs are usually sparks or a buzzing sound. Arcing happens in loose contact points in your electrical system where the electricity jumps between connections. Some electrical faults create heat through arcing. You can easily identify them by looking for “TEST” and “RESET” buttons in different colors on the façade.īest for: Preventing electrical hazards in areas close to water. For outlets near water, a power surge may indicate direct contact with water and the consequent electric shock hazard, like, for example, if you accidentally drop a live hair dryer into your bathtub when it’s full of water. The interrupter circuit immediately kicks in the moment it detects a dangerous power surge. These outlets constantly track the current flow and trip (or cut off power) upon sensing a spike or leap in the current. Indoors, this includes spaces like bathrooms, kitchens, basements, crawlspaces, and laundry areas. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets are best suited for places close to water. For these types of cases, you might want to take a look at 30A or 50A outlets.īest for: Large appliances with very high power draw and hobby shop equipment. ![]() Some appliances such as wall ovens and electric dryers might need even more power than these outlets can provide. Look at the power specifications of the appliance that you plan to use and choose accordingly. 250-volt outlets need a double-pole circuit breaker installed in your main panel, a job best left to an electrician. ![]() For such uses, this is the type of electrical outlet to choose.īefore installing these 20A, 250-volt outlets, you will need the proper circuit in place. Large appliances like air conditioners, air compressors, and hobby shop equipment need even higher levels of power. These may even be a perfect fit for some washing machines, dishwashers, and space heaters.īest for: Larger appliances that require more power. You can tell these apart from the 15A version by looking for a small horizontal slot alongside the vertical ground slot. Building codes recommend installing 20A outlets for some appliances, such as large kitchen gadgets, that need more power to function. These electrical outlets support a larger power draw than the previous type. For improved safety and efficiency, it can be a prudent idea to choose more modern alternatives on this list.īest For: Light home use with appliances that have minimum voltage and amperage requirements. At the same time, these can also be prime candidates for an upgrade in the near future. These are also the cheapest types of electrical outlets on the market and easy to install or replace.
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