Kitchen Outlet Types

Two-Prong Outlet

• In the construction of older homes, the typical electrical outlet used was a 120-volt two-prong outlet in which current flows through a hot wire attached to one prong, through any appliance or device plugged into the outlet, then out of the appliance and through a neutral wire attached to the outlet's other prong. This type of outlet is a potential safety hazard because it has no ground wire, and thus any short circuit or ground fault in an appliance plugged into it could result in a dangerous electric shock.

Three-Prong Outlet

• A three-prong outlet has a safety advantage over a two-prong outlet by virtue of its third prong, which is attached to a ground wire. In the event of a ground fault in an appliance, the errant electrical current which might otherwise energize parts of the appliance such as an exterior metal casing, is directed through the ground prong into the outlet's ground wire and safely dissipated. Modern building codes require the use of three-prong outlets in place of two-prong outlets.

GFCI Outlet

• A ground fault circuit interrupt outlet goes a step further in attempting to prevent electric shocks. GFCI outlets are able to sense a difference in current flowing between the hot and neutral wires of the outlet and are thereby able to detect leakages of current that could indicate a dangerous situation. When such a fault is detected, the outlet interrupts the circuit and cuts off power to the outlet. The interrupt sensor is very sensitive and will theoretically stop the flow of power before a lethal shock occurs. GFCI outlets are typically installed where outlets are near sources of water, such as in kitchens and bathrooms.

240-Volt Outlet

• Some large appliances such as electric stoves and clothes dryers are powered by twice the voltage supplied by a typical 120-volt outlet; these appliances require a special 240-volt outlet. One type of 240-volt outlet is connected to three wires: two hot wires and a ground wire. These outlets have no neutral wire and instead have a hot wire connected to each non-ground prong, with the alternating current in each wire being out of phase with the other, thus allowing for the current to flow between the prongs. Other 240-volt outlets have four prongs, with the addition of a neutral wire to complete a separate 120-volt circuit that powers lower voltage accessories that are part of the appliance.