Plug vs Socket: Interchangeable?

Question

Many dictionaries that I have looked at online seem to use enchufe as a word that is interchangeable for the English words plug and socket, which are two related, but distinct objects. Some dictionaries list toma de corriente as an alternative, but my personal experience has simply been enchufe. Am I wrong? In which contexts would I use enchufe vs. toma de corriente?

Answer 1

Toma de corriente (or Tomacorriente):

Enchufe:

I wouldn't say they are interchangeable at all. They are clearly different things.

EDIT

As Javi and Dusan have said, enchufe is used sometimes to refer to a tomacorriente. I've definitely heard people using it in the way Juanillo mentions:

¿Dónde hay un enchufe para conectar el portátil?

RAE has this definition for enchufe:

Dispositivo formado por dos piezas que se encajan una en otra cuando se quiere establecer una conexión eléctrica.

That definition seems to indicate that an enchufe is really formed by both devices, the plug and the socket; but again, enchufe is used to refer to a socket as well.

I still prefer to differentiate between them by calling enchufe to the plug and tomacorriente to the socket. For example, Juanillo's example could be expressed as:

¿En dónde hay un tomacorriente para conectar mi portátil?