How it connects
Push the plug straight in; spring contacts grip its two flat blades and ground pin to make electrical contact and retain it. No twist-lock or inherent environmental seal; weather protection depends on the device and enclosure.
Male and female halves
This is the female receptacle/socket (5-15R), with recessed contacts. Its grounded male mate is the 5-15P plug, with two flat blades and a ground pin.
Usually connects to
- NEMA 5-15P grounded straight-blade plug
- NEMA 1-15P plug (two-prong, ungrounded, polarized or non-polarized; fits but provides no equipment ground)
Common sizes
- One 15 A, 125 V mating configuration; blade slots on 12.7 mm (1/2 in) centres, with the neutral taller/wider than the hot slot.
- The ground opening is U-shaped; orientation can be ground-up or ground-down. Single, duplex, panel and cord-end housings vary around the same face.
Where it is used
Residential/commercial AC wiring and outletsEquipment/appliance power outletsPower strips, extension cords and PDUs
Variations
- Single or duplex body
- Tamper-resistant TR
- Weather-resistant WR
- GFCI/AFCI
- Hospital grade
- USB charging combination
How to recognise it
Look for two parallel blade slots of unequal length (longer neutral, shorter hot) and a separate round/U-shaped ground opening. With ground below, neutral is left and hot right when facing the receptacle. Ground-up mounting is also possible. Confirm 5-15R and 15 A/125 V markings; a T slot indicates 5-20R.
Often confused with
| Confused with | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| NEMA 5-20R | The 20 A receptacle has a T-shaped neutral slot to accept a perpendicular 5-20P blade; 5-15R has two parallel straight slots and cannot accept 5-20P. |
| NEMA L5-15R | The L version has curved locking openings arranged around the face and requires insertion followed by a twist; 5-15R has parallel straight slots. |
| NEMA 1-15R | The ungrounded 1-15R has only two blade slots; 5-15R adds a separate grounding opening. |
| NEMA 6-15R | 6-15R (250 V) has both slots horizontal/in-line, not parallel vertical. |
Also called
NEMA 5-15R/5-15 socket15 A, 125 V grounding receptacleStandard US three-prong wall outletType B socket (IEC 60083/ITA)Duplex receptacle (two outlets on one yoke)5-15C cord connector
Good to know
This name identifies the AC mating face, separate from USB ports or rear wire terminals. GFCI/AFCI protection, weather resistance and duplex packaging do not change the face.
Related connections
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