During a plan review the engineer asks how many outlets a branch circuit serves. Which statement describes what the Code counts as an outlet?
- A point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment
- BA contact device installed for the connection of an attachment plug or cord cap
A contact device for an attachment plug defines a receptacle, which is the hardware installed at an outlet rather than the outlet itself.
- CA unit of an electrical system other than a conductor that carries or controls electric energy as its principal function
A unit that carries or controls energy as its principal function defines a device. Switches and receptacles are devices; the point in the system where they sit is the outlet.
- DEquipment that uses electric energy for heating, lighting, chemical, or similar purposes
Equipment that consumes energy for heating or lighting defines utilization equipment, which is what the outlet supplies rather than what an outlet is.
Why A is correct
An outlet is a location, not a piece of hardware. Wherever the wiring system gives up current to feed something that uses it, that point is an outlet. That is why a ceiling box feeding a luminaire is an outlet even though nothing plugs into it, and why a pull box in the middle of a run is not.
What this question is testing
This checks four adjacent definitions that share vocabulary and are constantly confused in speech. The exam supplies all four definitions and asks which one belongs to the named term, so vague familiarity is not enough.
On the job
Outlet counting drives real numbers. General lighting load in commercial work, the box fill you must provide, the number of receptacle outlets required along a dwelling wall, and where arc-fault or ground-fault protection is triggered all reference outlets. Field electricians who use outlet as slang for receptacle mislead helpers and misread specifications. On a job with a lighting outlet in each of twelve offices, the circuit serves twelve outlets even if no plug ever goes into any of them, and the plan reviewer counts them that way.
Memory technique
Current goes out at an outlet; you plug into a receptacle.
Exam tip
Outlet is a place, receptacle is a thing you plug into, device controls or carries, and utilization equipment consumes.
Where to look it up
Article 100, alphabetical. Read outlet, receptacle, device, and utilization equipment together, plus the note on single versus multiple receptacles.