Electrical receptacles are a tiny but essential part of modern homes. All homes are equipped with several electrical receptacles, which may look the same at first sight but have a unique purpose. What works for the bedroom might not be suitable for your bathroom and vice versa. If you are ready to make electrical upgrades in your home, it might be a good idea to start by knowing the common electrical outlet types you can find on the market. Fortunately, the familiar electrical outlets will be discussed in this article, so jump into it without any hesitation.

Types of Outlets for Your Home

Electrical outlets are designed to power your devices, from microwaves to smartphones. Choosing suitable electrical receptacles is significant since they can make your home more sustainable and reduce the risk of electrical hazards. Read on for a quick browse of the most typical electrical outlet types and what you should use each one for.

Weather-Resistant Receptacle Outlets

Weather-resistant outlets are designed to withstand outdoor weather conditions, such as rain, snow and humidity. They tend to be made with resilient materials and corrosion-resistant metal components, which provide protection from hostile environment situations. Having a plastic shield to keep water from damaging the outlet makes this receptacle useful for outdoor light switches, pool or gardening equipment, or basement appliances. If you want to have an outlet in your outdoor area, a weather-resistant outlet is a top option for you.

Smart Outlets

As the name indicates, smart outlets are simply outlets that can turn on or off devices via your smartphone. Smart outlets are increasingly prevalent in modern home construction. Suppose you are lying in bed; if you have smart outlets, you can power off the floor lamp in the living room with your smartphone before you sleep. What’s more, you can use smart outlets to monitor the energy consumption of specific appliances and set a schedule for your lights to turn on and off automatically.

Switched Outlets

Switched outlets integrate a socket and a connected switch allowing you to keep appliances or lights plugged in all the time, even when they aren’t running. If you need to control the power of an outlet by turning it on and off whenever you want, a switched outlet is the perfect choice for you. You can also use this receptacle to create your own switched extension cord, where the cable itself always has power, but you use a second outlet that is controlled with the switch.

USB Outlets

Devices that charge via USB are common in households because USB electrical outlets are technology-friendly and convenience-orientated. Many of our appliances are powered by USB, so usb wall socket is increasingly becoming the receptacle of choice for many people. One of the most prevalent types is the two standard outlet receptacles and two USB ports directly on your wall. Just plug your cables into the ports to charge your smartphone, tablet, e-book reader or other USB devices. Therefore, if you always misplace the little box of your charger, having a few USB outlets in your home would be perfect.

Final Thoughts

The suitable types of receptacles, specially installed in the right places for the proper usage, can dramatically help to improve energy efficiency and reduce electrical dangers. If you are unsure whether your outlet will work well with a new device, check with a professional electrician. Before you attempt to replace or change any electrical receptacles, keep in mind that working with electricity can be dangerous. Therefore, getting in touch with an electrician near you is always best to discuss your ideas.