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 ...

Is it just me, or does it seem like outlets are always "strategically" located in the exact spot where you want to place a big piece of furniture? Either you have to completely rethink the layout of ...

We use plugs every day, but most of us don't spend a lot of time thinking about them. We know that there are various electrical plug types, even if we're not familiar with the ins and outs of all of ...

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, ...

Most smart plugs and their app-based controls are designed for indoor use. For outdoor smart plugs, you need to find a specialized model — which is where our hours of testing at CNET come in handy.