The technical term for a wall socket or electrical outlet. It consists of metal contacts inside a plastic housing that receive the prongs of an attachment plug, providing a safe point to draw electrical current from the building wiring.
Heard on the job
We need to swap out that standard receptacle for a GFCI before the inspector arrives.
Insider tip
While civilians call it a plug, electricians call it a receptacle. The plug is the male end on the cord.
Also heard as
- outlet
- socket
- plug
Related terms
Trim-out
Final stage of electrical work after walls are finished: installing devices, plates, fixtures and breakers.
Rough-in
Stage of electrical work done before walls close: setting boxes, running cable or conduit and pulling wire.
Hot
Ungrounded, voltage-carrying conductor of a circuit, and as an adjective anything that is live.