Is your home in need of some electrical outlet upgrades? Harrison Electric can help you choose the right electrical outlets for your home depending on what you need. Below, we take a closer look at common electrical outlet upgrades and why you need them.
LED Night Light Outlets
An LED night light outlet is a plug-and-play replacement for plug-in night-lights and standard electrical outlets. It installs within seconds and requires no wires or batteries. These handy devices look like a standard outlet cover by day with beautiful LEDs that provide ambient lighting at night. LED outlets also save you money with a 20-year life expectancy.
USB Outlets
A wall socket that comes with a powered USB port or two built-in, alongside the usual two electrical outlets. Since installing it means getting into the electrical wiring, you want a licensed Harrison Electric technician to perform the installation.
USB outlets are popular because they cut down on the number of extension cords you need and provide an instantly available port for USB devices.
Recessed Outlets
Recessed outlet hardware contains a faceplate that is embedded into the wall. A recessed outlet prevents plugs and connectors from protruding beyond the wall’s surface. It's aesthetically pleasing, and, in certain applications, provides a higher level of electrocution prevention.
We recommend installing recessed outlets behind flat-mounted wall TV screens, behind furniture, outdoors, bathrooms, or kitchen — basically, any environment where placing an outlet could present an imminent danger.
AFCI (Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters)
AFCI Devices prevent electrical fires that occur due to potentially dangerous arc-faults in an electrical circuit. An arc-fault is an unintentional arcing condition that occurs in an electrical circuit. Arcing can create high-intensity heat, which may over time ignite surrounding material such as wood framing or insulation. Damaged wires or damaged cords that plug into an outlet cause arcing behind a wall.
AFCI Devices contain test and reset, buttons on the face of the device. An AFCI receptacle is easy to reset and includes an indicator light in the device face that communicates a miswired or end-of-life condition to provide additional protection.
TRR (Tamper Resistant Receptacles)
The tamper-resistant shutters inside of the receptacle remain closed if someone inserts an object into one side of the receptacle. Electrical Tamper Resistant protection keeps electricity off at the sockets until a plug is inserted.
Tamper resistant receptacles feature a guard that prevents small children from inserting a foreign object in the cord slot. The receptacle prevents injuries and electrocution. They also prevent children or adults from accidentally plugging the wrong item into the receptacle.
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters)
A GFCI is a device that de-energizes a circuit or portion of electrical wiring within an established period when an electrical current exceeds the limit that the system can handle. The receptacle completely cuts off the circuit to an internal or external device.
A ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protects you against electric shock from the electrical system throughout your house. It does this by preventing the circuit to reach you. For instance, if you dropped a hair dryer in the sink, the GFCI would cut the power in the outlet and prevent the device from shocking you.
Complete Outlet Installation Service from Harrison Electric
When you are ready to update all the outlets in your home, then contact Harrison Electric. We provide electrical installation, repairs, and ongoing maintenance for all residential properties in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.
To find out more about our services to schedule an inspection or repair, call us at 763-544-3300, or you can message us at mail@harrison-electric.com.