When you purchase a home, you may notice large boxes covering the outdoor electrical outlets. This is a weather-resistant receptacle outlet box, and it's one of the most common electrical outlets ...

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 ...

Remodeling a room's walls all seems simple... until you remember the outlet. Don't worry, we've got the surprisingly easy tip ...

Is your home up to code? The truth is, many homeowners aren't familiar with updated building codes, which can prove hazardous. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) issues an updated ...

If you’re wondering what you can plug in and where, here’s everything you need to know so you don’t a) burn down your house or b) destroy your appliances. Every time you plug something into a wall ...

The consequences of undersizing outlet boxes can include damaged wiring, overheating, and even electrical fires. But you can’t just oversize boxes “to be on the safe side” because that wastes space ...

And you can do it safely, in under an hour, and for less than $50. Credit... Supported by By Tim Heffernan Visuals by Clark Hodgin After 16 months, my home renovation is nearing a happy milestone: ...

The first U.S. detachable electric plug was patented by Harvey Hubbell II in 1904 and was among many of Hubbell's contributions to the field. But it would take a few decades before a standardized ...

This answer is based on the 2017 NEC. A. Outlet boxes for a ceiling paddle fan must be listed and marked as suitable for the purpose, and must not support a fan weighing more than 70 lbs. Outlet boxes ...