Person plugging something into a GFCI outlet with red and black buttons - Tomsmith585/Getty Images Have you ever noticed how some electrical outlets in your home look slightly different from the rest?

While standard receptacles typically use three wires -- hot, neutral and ground -- you'll occasionally find 2-prong outlets in older homes. Since this type of outlet lacks a ground connection, the ...

Have you ever noticed how some electrical outlets in your home look slightly different from the rest? Instead of a smooth plate, these outlets feature two small buttons, often colored black and red.