The Relationship between the Plug and Receptacle

In the business world, people are very busy. Some businesses start small and grow. During growth, you need to find a sidekick. This person is a close companion or colleague who is trusted and you would not be able to run your business smoothly without them.

This is the same relationship between a PLUG and RECEPTACLE. A plug is a pronged connecting device, which needs a sidekick, also known as a socket. A receptacle is a contact device allowing the connection of an attachment plug or receptacle.

You may have read a NEMA configuration or code on an adapter which includes a P or an R after a set of numbers and letters. (Example ASL1430P) NEMA codes are the standard industry electrical connection language used in the U.S. Some people get confused by the P and the R or by the relationship between the two of them.

Plugs have metal prongs or pins, allowing them to fit into a connector or socket referred to as a receptacle. Each connector will have a matching sidekick in the form of a plug.

In the office today, you noticed your sidekick didn't have lunch. You brought a lot of extra food today, so you decided to warm some extra food for your sidekick. Power on your microwave to heat lunch for you both. Your microwave is brand new, so how do you get power to the device, allowing you to cook?

REAL SOLUTIONS: You cannot get power to your microwave unless you plug it into its sidekick, technically referred to as an electrical socket (receptacle) on your wall.

The idea of an office sidekick or powering a microwave is basic. It does, however, teach us the relationship and differences between the Plug and the Socket. Our customers' most commonly asked question is "What do the P and the R mean?" so I wanted to take the time to give a basic understanding of the topic. 

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