After hearing these terms be used interchangeably for years, I decided to do a little research and find out what the difference between the words receptacle, outlet, and plug is. I knew what the word “plug” means, but I wanted to learn the correct definition of “outlet” and “receptacle” because these are the two words that I hear used interchangeably most of the time. I think most people use the word plug correctly.
Anyway, here’s what I learned.
What’s the difference between an outlet, receptacle, and a plug?
Outlet
The (NEC) National Electrical Code defines an outlet as “a point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment.” In other words, it is where power is taken OUT of the system to be used by something.
This would include a receptacle (to be defined momentarily), but it would also include the point at which a light fixture, an appliance, a ceiling fan, the air conditioner outside, a hardwired smoke detector, or a ceiling fan is connected to the home’s electrical system.
Receptacle
According to the NEC, a receptacle is “a contact device installed at the outlet for connection of an attachment plug.” In other words, a receptacle is a type of outlet. A receptacle is a device that you can plug something into to power that device. In other words, a receptacle receives the plug, just like a trash receptacle receives trash.
Plug
A plug is a device that is typically at the end of a cord. It is the male end that is plugged into the slots of a receptacle. 
Summary
All in all, what does this all mean? Basically, it means that you can use the word “outlet” or “receptacle” to refer to the thing in the wall where you plug in your TV or toaster because that ‘thing’ is an outlet but more precisely, it is a receptacle.
It’s kind of like the difference between the words vehicle and car. There are many types of vehicles, such as pick-ups, SUVs, vans, cars, etc. They are also many types of outlets, such as ceiling fans, the connection point for a hardwired smoke alarm, a light on a wall, and the receptacle where you plug in your toaster.
When my wife and I are getting ready to go somewhere, I often ask her, “my car or yours?” We both drive SUVs which are not technically cars, but we both know what I’m talking about when I ask the question.
By the same token, I don’t think you will be misunderstood when you talk about a receptacle, whether you refer to it as a receptacle or an outlet, but if you want to be technically precise, you should probably call it a receptacle.
Want to learn about outlets? Check out one of our other posts! Grounded and Ungrounded Outlets or Fixing an Outlet with Reversed Polarity
© 2020 Mike Morgan
This article was written by Mike Morgan, the owner of Morgan Inspection Services. Morgan Inspection Services has been providing home, septic and well inspection services throughout the central Texas area since 2002. He can be reached at 325-998-4663 or at mike@morganinspectionservices.com. No article, or portion thereof, may be reproduced or copied without prior written consent of Mike Morgan.
