Electrical Receptacles Pricing and Costs

Update your electrical receptacles with safety and cost in mind
By Steven A. Ottem Electrical receptacles supply access to the power you need to do all the things modern life allows you to do from plugging in your computer to edging your sidewalk. As designs have changed for electrical receptacles, pricing and costs have changed, too. As you set out to buy electrical receptacles, you will want to be aware of innovations and alternatives now available from electrical receptacles providers.
 

Outdoor lighting, pumps used to power fountains, electrical tools such as blowers, trimmers and mowers require an outdoor electrical receptacle. Outdoor use and other humid or harsh environments demand an electrical outlet receptacle that is both safe and durable. At the same time, the need to conserve natural resources and reduce costs dictates that outlets and switches have "smart" capabilities which allow them to shut off when you don't need power. Whether you are updating or building new, think about the following options:

1. Size outlets to match electrical receptacle wiring.

2. Build to meet or exceed code requirements, thus avoiding the cost of future updates.

3. Use an electrical switch receptacle with programmable power options to reduce power use.

Buy electrical receptacles that are durable and will meet your needs

While different types of electric receptacles may look the same, an electric receptacle differs in the grade. Two common grades are residential and commercial grades. Product labels will help you identify which products are "residential" products, which aren't as sturdy as a product labeled "commercial." Prices range from $.66 for a basic electrical wall receptacle to $1.19 for a similar outlet of commercial grade.
Try: HomeTips.com discusses the quality issue of electrical products as well as touching on safety issues and showing pictures of various receptacles. Westside Wholesale is an example of an electrical receptacles supplier with a selection of different qualities of outlets.

Select electrical receptacles with safety in mind

Young children and electrical receptacles do not mix. As of 2008, the National Electrical Code requires tamper-resistant outlets in new and remodeled homes in order to reduce the number of childhood injuries caused by an electrical wall receptacle. Consider using tamper-resistant receptacles when you replace outlets. Prices on these start around $5 per receptacle.
Try: Electrical Safety Foundation International discusses the issue of child safety, shows close-ups of both regular and tamper-resistant outlets and explains what a tamper-resistant outlet is. Geekbro.com sells tamper-resistant electrical receptacles at discounted prices. Its product descriptions include specifications.

Check out GFCI electrical receptacles

Ground-fault circuit interceptor electrical receptacles, called GFCI electrical receptacles, provide another method of insuring safety. Such receptacles interrupt the current whenever it flows to something other than the device plugged into the socket. GFCI receptacles cost more than regular outlets, but do not require that you change your electrical receptacle wiring in most cases. Electrical codes call for GFCI installations in bathrooms and kitchens, for outdoor applications or for receptacles near water sources.
Try: CableOrganizer.com lists GFCI outlets beginning at $7 for a 15-amp unit, and $16 for a top of-the-line 20-amp outlet. Fox Electric Supply Company, another electrical receptacles distributor selling GFCI outlets, quotes prices starting at $12 for 15-amp models and $15 for 20-amp models.