While standard receptacles typically use three wires -- hot, neutral and ground -- you'll occasionally find 2-prong outlets in older homes. Since this type of outlet lacks a ground connection, the ...

John Carlsen has more than a decade of experience testing and reviewing home tech products, with a major focus on smart home security. He earned his BS in journalism from Utah Valley University. In ...

Wall outlets might not steal the spotlight when it comes to smart home upgrades, but they're more important (and more advanced) than ever. As our homes fill up with devices, from phones and tablets to ...

Not all outlet holes are the same, and there's a reason for that. The shapes (vertical slots, round holes, T-slots, etc.) correspond to specific electrical functions and safety features. Take the ...

Are you building, renovating, or upgrading a house or a condo … or planning to someday? Don't forget the electric outlets and switches. These are small details, but they will contribute a great deal ...

This article about electrical outlets is republished here with permission from The Conversation. This content is shared here because the topic may interest Snopes readers; it does not, however, ...

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. INDIANAPOLIS — Are you familiar with the ...

Lauren is a writer and architectural designer living and working in Brooklyn, NY. In addition to being a writer at Forbes, she works as a freelance architectural designer specializing in residential ...

You find yourself in an airport or hotel room in another country, and you really need to charge your phone, camera or game system. But what is that strange-looking outlet? It has round holes! And ...