Q. We just bought an old house, built in the 1950s, so the electrical outlets are not grounded. We'd like to add GFCI outlets near the bathroom and kitchen sinks for shock protection, but our home ...

Press the TEST button. You should hear an audible click, the light(s) should go off, and the RESET button will pop out slightly. This means the GFCI is doing its job and responding to a fault. Buttons ...

There are 15 standardized types of domestic electrical outlet plugs in use worldwide. The standard North American outlet, for example, has two vertical slots and a round hole beneath them for ...

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 ...

Q: I went to use my hairdryer in the bathroom, but I discovered some of the outlets have stopped working. My GFCI test button won’t push in when I try to reset it, but nothing has tripped in the ...

Few things are more convenient than an in-wall smart outlet when you want to turn a lamp or small appliance on and off, and the devices have been around almost as long as smart switches. But you haven ...

A. Ground-fault circuit interruption for personnel must be provided as required in Sec. 210.8(A) through (D). The ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) device must ...

Q: In the past you’ve written about special outlets for the garage. What should I install? I’m selling my house to my son and I want everything to be safe. A: Your question is timely because I ...

Unless there’s a major safety issue, you’re only forced to upgrade stuff when inspections are needed, typically during renovations or major repairs. So it’s not too surprising that a lot of older ...

John Carlsen has more than a decade of experience testing and reviewing home tech products, with a major focus on smart home security. He earned his BS in journalism from Utah Valley University. In ...

I’ve been a pro-sound engineer for 40+ years and a musician for 50+ years. During that time, I’ve witnessed hundreds of shock events on performance stages, recording studios, and even factory floors.