Configurable electrical receptacles

A method comprising:

• providing a receptacle configured for installation within an electrical utility work box comprising a cavity disposed with a front face of the receptacle where the cavity comprises:
• a first portion of a latching mechanism;
• a first portion of a keying mechanism;
• and
• a plurality of first electrical contacts disposed upon a rear surface of the cavity;
• providing a demountable insert configured to fit within the cavity of the receptacle where the demountable insert comprises:
• a second portion of the latching mechanism;
• a second portion of the keying mechanism;
• and
• a plurality of second electrical contacts disposed upon a back surface of the demountable insert;
• providing another cavity disposed within the front face of the receptacle where the another cavity comprises:
• a plurality of third electrical contacts disposed upon a rear surface of the cavity;
• providing another demountable insert configured to fit within the another cavity of the receptacle where the demountable insert comprises:
• a plurality of fourth electrical contacts disposed upon a back surface of the demountable insert;
• providing a cover for attachment to the receptacle which comprises:
• an opening positioned to align with the cavity once the cover has been attached to the receptable and dimensioned to allow insertion of the demountable insert into the cavity through the opening;
• another opening positioned to align with the another cavity once the cover has been attached to the receptable and dimensioned to prevent removal or insertion of the another demountable insert once the cover has been attached to the receptable;
• an attachment means for use in attaching to the receptable;
• inserting the another demountable insert into the another cavity such that other electrical connections are made between the plurality of the plurality of fourth electrical contacts and a subset of the plurality of third electrical contacts;
• inserting the demountable insert into the cavity such that the back surface of the demountable insert is disposed towards the rear surface;
• and
• attaching the cover to the receptacle;
• wherein
• the keying mechanism prevents insertion of at least one of an incompatible demountable insert and a compatible demountable insert inserted into the cavity in an inverted manner;
• latching of the latching mechanism only occurs when the keying mechanism is successfully engaged;
• and
• electrical connections between the plurality of second electrical contacts and a subset of the plurality of first electrical contacts are only made when the latching mechanism is successfully engaged.