Electrical outlet facts for kids

A North American electrical outlet

An electrical outlet (also called a receptacle or power point) is like a special socket in your wall. It lets you connect electrical devices, such as your phone charger or a lamp, to the electricity supply in your home. Most of the time, you'll find these outlets in walls, but sometimes they are in the floor. Occasionally, they are even in the ceiling for things like garage door openers.

Different countries often have different types of outlets and different voltages. This means a plug from one country might not fit or work in another. Luckily, you can often buy adapters to help convert between the different types.

What is an Electrical Outlet?
Why are There Different Types?
Using Adapters and Converters
Safety Tips for Outlets
Images for kids
See also

What is an Electrical Outlet?

An electrical outlet is a key part of your home's electrical system. It's designed to safely deliver electricity to your devices. When you plug something in, the outlet creates a connection. This connection allows electricity to flow from the power lines into your device.

Outlets are built into the electrical wiring of a building. They are usually placed in convenient spots. This allows you to power lamps, computers, and other electronics.

Why are There Different Types?

You might notice that electrical outlets look different around the world. This is because different countries have their own standards. These standards developed over time for various reasons.

Different Voltages

One big difference is the voltage. Voltage is like the "pressure" of electricity. Some countries, like the United States, use around 120 volts. Others, like most of Europe, use around 230 volts. Devices are made to work with a specific voltage. Using the wrong voltage can damage a device or even be dangerous.

Different Plug Shapes

Another difference is the shape of the plugs and outlets. There are many different designs, like Type A, Type C, Type G, and so on. These shapes are designed to be safe and secure. They also help prevent you from plugging a device into the wrong voltage system. For example, a plug designed for 120 volts won't fit into a 230-volt outlet.

Safety Features

Many modern outlets have special safety features. Some have three holes instead of two. The third hole is for a "ground" wire. This wire provides an extra path for electricity to go if there's a problem. This helps protect you from electric shocks. Some outlets also have shutters that cover the holes. This prevents children from sticking objects into the outlet.

Using Adapters and Converters

If you travel to a different country, you might need an adapter or a converter.

An adapter simply changes the shape of your plug. It lets your plug fit into a different type of outlet. It does not change the voltage.
A converter (or transformer) changes the voltage. If your device is made for 120 volts and you are in a 230-volt country, you might need a converter. Always check your device's power requirements before plugging it in.

Safety Tips for Outlets

It's important to use electrical outlets safely.

Never stick anything into an outlet except a proper plug.
Don't overload an outlet by plugging in too many devices. This can cause overheating.
If an outlet feels hot or smells strange, unplug everything and have an adult check it.
Use surge protectors for valuable electronics. They protect devices from sudden spikes in electricity.
Keep outlets away from water. Water and electricity are a dangerous mix.

Images for kids

NEMA 5-15 (type B) plugs with current and voltage ratings shown (left) on label (7 A 125 V) and (centre) on engagement face (10 A 125 V). Also shown (right) is the rating on the C13 connector at the other end of the 10 A 125 V appliance cord.
Four-prong plug used in the US for clothes dryers on 240 V
A plug strip with two USB ports and built in surge protection
Shaver supply unit for BS 4573, US Type A, Australian two-pin, and Europlug Type C
Argentinian 1996 power plug arrangement
Standard Australian 10 A power plug with insulated pins
Australasian switched 3-pin (10 A) dual socket outlet
BS 546 plugs. Left to right: 15 A, 5 A and 2 A.
BS 1363 plug with fuse compartment visible
BS 1363 sockets
BS 4573 plug
CEE 7/1 wall socket, accepts CEE 7/2 (unearthed) plug and also CEE 7/4, CEE 7/6 and CEE 7/7 (earthed) plugs
Two Schuko (CEE 7/3) socket-outlets manufactured by Busch-Jaeger Elektro GmbH: the lower has (black) protective shutters; the upper does not, revealing internal metal contacts
Schuko plug (CEE 7/4) and socket (CEE 7/3)
French socket (CEE 7/5)
Rewireable French plug (CEE 7/6)
Example of a Europlug
Hybrid unearthed CEE 7/17 plug
Chinese 3-pin socket and compound socket which also accepts NEMA and Europlug (right), and a less common, larger 16 A version (left)
Danish 107-2-D1, standard DK 2-1a, with round power pins and half round earth pin
Danish unearthed and switched socket
Socket for the tilted flattened pins and half-round earth pin of Danish computer equipment plug (mainly used in professional environment), standard DK 2-5a
IEC 60906-1 (type N) socket
Two-pin charger, three-pin 10 A plug and 10 A socket-outlet conforming to Brazilian Standard NBR 14136
Two Israeli plugs and one socket. The left plug is the old standard; the one on the right is the 1989 revision.
Israeli socket polarity, with wire colour coding
Old adaptor from forza to 2 × luce and 1 × forza
NEMA connectors
Japanese socket with earth post, for a washing machine
Japanese socket with earth post and earth connector, for an air conditioner
Japanese 200 V socket with earth slot, for an air conditioner
Type J: The 10 Ampere SN 441011 type 13 socket (here: a triple socket) and type 12 plug
SN 441011, overview of the hierarchical Swiss System
TIS 166-2549 plug
A travel adaptor for "Type M" (16 A SANS 164-1) sockets from South Africa
An old US multisocket adapter
Soviet adaptor plug
Walsall Gauge 13 A plug (bottom) compared to regular BS 1363 plug
On the left a BTicino Magic Security plug (10 A), on the right a type L to Magic Security plug adaptor
Plug (sheet V) and socket (sheet VI) to French standard NF C 61-315 (400 V, 32 A)
A so-called "universal socket", which meets no official standard but is intended to accept a number of different plug types.
An earthed Thai socket that appears to comply with figure 4 of TIS 166-2549. Although it may accept NEMA plugs, the Thai voltage is 220 V and thus is electrically incompatible with devices designed only for 110 V.
Chinese dual socket accepting both unearthed 2-pin (upper) and earthed 3-pin (lower) plugs.
Italian bypass lampholder plugs with Edison screw mount. Left: early type (porcelain and brass, c. 1930); right: late type (black plastic, c. 1970)
Lampholder plug (US, circa 1950-1960)
Brazilian 20 ampere socket}}