How can you identify a faulty electrical outlet?

Identifying a faulty electrical outlet is crucial for safety and effective electrical management. A reliable indicator of an outlet's malfunction includes signs of arcing, burning odors, or failure to provide power. Arcing can occur due to loose wiring or connections, which can lead to sparks and possibly cause a fire. Burning odors indicate overheating, likely caused by damaged insulation or overloaded circuits. If the outlet fails to provide power when tested, it may suggest internal damage or a trip in the circuit breaker.

The other options do not provide accurate indicators of a faulty outlet. For instance, a soft humming sound may suggest electrical noise but doesn't definitively indicate a fault. An outlet with a special indicator light might provide status information but isn’t a standard feature, and its presence does not inherently mean the outlet is faulty. The color of the outlet does not affect its functionality or indicate any issues; different colored outlets may simply be for aesthetic purposes or indicate different applications or features, such as GFCI protection. Thus, the critical signs of burning odors, arcing, or inoperability clearly highlight a faulty outlet that requires immediate attention.