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What's the difference between receptacle and outlet to cal the device in a wall you put a plug into in order to provide electricity for a lamp, television, etc.?

  • outlet

(also receptacle, socket) (both North American English) (British English power point) a device in a wall that you put a plug into in order to connect electrical equipment to the power supply of a building

OLD

US : a device in a wall into which an electric cord can be plugged in order to provide electricity for a lamp, television, etc.

electrical outlets; a wall outlet

— called also socket, (British) point, (British) power point

MWLD

  • receptacle

US : a device into which an electric cord can be plugged in order to provide electricity for a lamp, television, etc. an electrical receptacle [=outlet]

MWLD

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  • Please read this en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_power_plugs_and_sockets , particularly the "Concepts and terminology" section, and see if it answers your question Apr 4, 2016 at 13:29
  • Related: Difference between “socket” and “outlet”
    – choster
    Apr 4, 2016 at 13:42
  • @MaxWilliams Thanks Max. It helped some. Sounds like both terms can be used just about interchangeably...
    – Elian
    Apr 4, 2016 at 14:55
  • 1
    The main thing is that "receptacle" is the term used in the National Electrical Code and other "official" documents.
    – Hot Licks
    Apr 4, 2016 at 17:17
  • 1
    @cobaltduck -- All I've ever heard (here in the US Midwest) for the place you put a light bulb is "socket". "Screw the light bulb into the socket."
    – Hot Licks
    Apr 4, 2016 at 20:58

1 Answer 1

2

NEC 2008

Outlet:

A point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment.

Receptacle:

A receptacle is a contact device installed at the outlet for the connection of an attachment plug. A single receptacle is a single contact device with no other contact device on the same yoke.

flashcardmachine.com

An outlet is a location. A receptacle is an object.

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