How To Change Out A Wall Outlet

Every year, thousands of firm fires are acquired by poor electrical wiring. In some of these cases, the culprit is actually a bad or broken outlet, which is why it'due south and then important to periodically check yours. Determining if an outlet needs replacing is easy.

Start, expect for visual clues: if the face of the outlet looks burned or has scorch marks, it'south probably time to alter information technology. Sometimes, there are no visual clues, but rather, the outlet is unable to hold a plug snugly, it sparks, or the lamp flickers. Of course, sometimes information technology just won't piece of work. Any of these is an indication that the outlet needs replacing. Changing an outlet is non hard, simply it's imperative that you follow certain steps to remain safety.

Shut off the power to the circuit—y'all tin practise this by locating the circuit billow in the excursion box. It's a good idea to place a piece of tape labeled "Practice Not Touch" over the excursion box to insure that no 1 else will flip the circuit dorsum on.
Remove the cover plate and exam the power: One time yous remove the cover plate, you will need to test the power with a circuit tester to be certain that power is indeed off. (You can also leave a lamp or radio plugged in.) If the tester indicates that the power is off, then continue to step 3. If the power is still on, do not continue.
Unscrew the electric outlet and pull it forwards from the electrical box to expose the wiring: Practise not cut the wires. Pull it forrard with the wires however attached. You may want to check the power ane more time with the circuit tester.
After the outlet is removed, you lot tin can remove the wires. Only practise not cut your wires if the leads extend less than three inches beyond wall box.
If the wires are salvageable, that is, not frayed or scorched, yous can unscrew the wires and remove the damaged outlet. It's imperative to remove the wires in the post-obit order:

Black: (this is the "hot" wire). Loosen the screw past turning it counter-clockwise. Repeat the step with the white (neutral) wire, and so finally remove the green (ground) wire.
Attach the new outlet. Here, it'due south important to know which wires connect to which spiral:
Black wire: insert it in the hole with the brass screw
White wire: insert it in the hole with the silver spiral
Green wire: insert it in the hole with the dark-green spiral
Electricians have a fiddling saying that goes like this: "Black to brass and green to footing."
Before installing the new outlet, be sure to wrap the wires with electrical tape to prevent it from sparking. Now, you are ready to install and test. Gently constrict the wires back into the outlet box—be sure to install the box with the neutral side upwards to insure that if anything were to autumn onto the outlet it would hit the neutral side and prevent arching. Now, screw it into identify and cover with the face plate.
You are now set up to turn the power back on at the circuit box. Test the outlet ane concluding fourth dimension by pushing the "test button" in the heart of the receptacle. If the reset push pops out, your outlet is live and working.

Because outlets deteriorate from time or from constant use, information technology's e'er a good idea to check the outlets in your habitation to insure they are running properly semi-annually. If you have whatsoever doubts or fears about changing the outlet, do not hesitate to telephone call a licensed electrician, as this kind of work can be dangerous.