Also known as a ‘wall outlet’, ‘power socket’, ‘hotpoint’. A powerpoint is perhaps the most common electrical fitting in the home. They also tend to be the most common fitting that fails and needs replacing. Typically rated at 10 amps.
A standard household powerpoint contains a phase wire, neutral wire and earth wire. They are fit to flushboxes in the wall and different stylish cover plates can also be installed.
Powerpoints must be protected with circuit breakers including the appropriate rated MCB. It must also be protected by an RCD at the switchboard unless the powerpoint is out of reach or can only be accessed with a tool (ASNZS:3000:2007 – section 4).
They must also be wired with the appropriate sized cable for the load.
