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 ...

Most electrical outlets are installed vertically, with one receptacle oriented above the other. But if you take a close look around your house, you'll probably find at least a couple mounted ...

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 ...

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 ...

The majority of electrical outlets in your home look more or less the same: two outlets, three holes in slightly different shapes to insert up to three prongs and deliver electricity. Some outlets ...

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: ...