What are the types and types of sockets?
For a modern person, a comfortable existence at home, in an office or workshop, is closely related to electricity. Without it, there will be no lighting and not a single device will work. For the convenience of connecting various portable electrical appliances, people came up with sockets. These power supplies come in a wide variety of types, they differ in the type of connector - which determines their purpose, power and even ease of use, and they also differ in the type of design. Therefore, today in the article we will consider various types of electrical outlets.
Types of sockets photo
What are the types of sockets by type of connector
It so happened that different countries have their own standards in different spheres of human life. This also applies to sockets for connecting various devices to the electrical network. So, for example, domestic plugs - made according to the European standard - they have two round pins, will definitely not fit the purchased American sockets that have two flat holes. And it should be said that American household sources of electricity are designed for no more than 120 volts.
Types of sockets photo
Sockets may also differ in the width of the placement of the holes, the number of holes for the pins of the plug. For example, Israel, Italy, South Africa use sockets designed for plugs with three pins.
There are sockets for connecting devices that consume much more energy.
For reference: in our country, household sockets are designed for a current of 16 Amps. Various devices designed for a higher current cannot be connected to such sockets - this can lead to a short circuit and fire.
More powerful sources of electricity are used in industry. They are also used for household electric stoves, ovens and hobs. Sockets connected to power sources of electricity have three holes (earth, phase, zero) and are usually designed for 32 amperes. But recently, high-power household appliances have been connected directly to power line cables, which is much safer.
There are other types of sockets designed to output low-voltage networks - the Internet, telephone, television antennas, sockets for embedded audio and video wiring, etc., each of them has its own type of connector.
Types of sockets photo
Recessed and surface-mounted sockets
Types of electrical outlets may differ in two more ways - they are built-in and overhead.
Embedded can be used both for hidden wiring and lying on the surface. Their advantage is that they are almost invisible - as they go deep into the wall. The entire interior is in a special "glass" fixed inside the wall. Well, they look more aesthetically pleasing in the interior.
Surface mounted sockets are easier to install because they are mounted directly on the wall surface. Under them, you do not need to gouge a large hole, they are fastened with self-tapping screws and dowels. The downside of such models is that they are somewhat old-fashioned, since they protrude 5-7 cm above the wall surface, so few people choose them for interiors in modern styles. But recently, with the increasing popularity of retro styles, the demand for them has also increased.
Types of electrical outlets photo
Sockets with and without grounding
Grounding is an important safety point in the use of electricity. Using high power appliances without this third contact can be deadly. For this reason, all high voltage wiring is additionally equipped with a third ground wire. And, as mentioned above, sockets for electric stoves have such a contact, so they have three holes. They, like industrial equipment, require high power for normal operation. Grounding is required for any apparatus designed to consume more than 300W.
In general, it will be better for safety if ordinary household electrical networks at home are equipped with a third contact, so that grounded sockets can be installed in any room. If there is no such contact in the general network of the house, then it makes no sense to install such socket models, ordinary ones are purchased.
Socket with grounding photo
Differences in design and functionality
The design of sockets can be very different, modern manufacturers, in order to attract more consumers to their products, are developing more and more convenient models to use.
They exist single, double and triple, sometimes even more. Typically, such sockets are combined into a single unit. It is not uncommon to find blocks where light switches are additionally built in, and they can also include outputs for the telephone, the Internet, lighting controllers, etc.
Types of sockets photo
There are types of sockets with additional protection, which makes them safer, they are especially relevant if there are small children in the house. The most common of them, those that have special shut-off valves in the holes. When the plug is not inserted into the socket, the sources remain closed. At the same time, the child will not be able to open such valves with either a finger or any object, since they open only with a synchronous impact on them and with certain, and considerable, efforts. Not infrequently they are supplemented with a lid.
What are sockets
There is a very convenient type of models that allow you to de-energize the outlet using the built-in switch. In order not to pull out the plug of the electrical appliance every time, the power supply of the outlet can simply be turned off. This will prevent wear and tear.
There are models with a built-in timer, such options can be programmed to work only at certain hours.
And also today backlit options are very common, built-in LEDs effectively illuminate the socket housing. As a result, they look, especially at night, very attractive. Yes, and such a solution is very convenient, because in a dark room or a dark corner, it is not always easy to find where the outlet is located - this is where the backlight helps a lot.
Types of electrical outlets photo
There are also models: extension sockets - when assembled, they look like standard ones, but due to their design they can be removed from the unit and used as an extension cord.
What are photo sockets
