Hot to Replace Your Electrical Outlet

When You Should Replace Your Outlet?

• If your outlet is no longer snug and fit when you plug in an appliance to it, this is a good sign that you need to replace the old worn out outlet. You may also decide to swap the color of the faceplates out and you may swap your outlet simply for aesthetics to match your outlets to a particular color scheme.

• Also if your outlet is faulty, sometimes you can fix a minor issue by replacing an outlet. You should use extreme caution in this case, and be certain that the problem is not something underlying and more severe. Replacing an outlet is very safe as long as you follow the proper safety procedures, however with faulty wiring or any other serious problems you should allow a licensed electrician to diagnose and repair the electrical system..

What Tools and Materials You Need to Replace an Electrical Outlet

• Replacement outlet – You need to have the correct replacement outlet(s) before you begin. If you are unsure, follow proper procedure and safely remove the old outlet and take it to the store with you to be certain to get the correct replacement.

• Wire strippers/Electricians pliers – You will need a good set of wire strippers for baring new wire if necessary.

• Volt meter – You should ALWAYS double check your outlet with a voltage meter after you turn off the breaker to double check that no power is running to your socket. Electrical shock is serious and could severely harm or even kill you; so it is imperative that you do not cut corners, and always practice safety above all else!

• Screwdriver – You will use a simple flathead or Philips screwdriver to remove the cover plate and to loosen the screws holding the wiring to the old outlet in place.

• Wire nuts – You should have a few wire nuts on hand in case there are wires that are bare in the junction box or in the wall behind your outlet. Be sure to cap every wire not connected to the outlet with a wire nut for safety.

How to Remove and Replace Your Old Outlet

• Use your volt meter to double check your outlet, and ensure that no power is connected to it before you begin disassembly.

• Use your screwdriver to remove the faceplate on the old outlet. Be sure to keep the screws in case you need them for the new one.

• Pull the old outlet out; be sure to take note of how they are wired. It is a good idea to take your phone out or a camera and snap a few pictures for reference. You need to wire the new one in the same way the old one was wired. One thing that is often overlooked is the “break off tab”. It is a little metal piece that is on the side right between the upper and lower receptacle. If your old one has it snapped off, you should go ahead and remove it on the new one before you install.

• Loosen the wires from the screws they are anchored too, and pull the old outlet out.

Continued• Set the new one up in place and re-wire it in the exact same fashion the old one was

wired. Be sure to reference your pictures to ensure you place all the wires back where they belong. A quick breakdown on colors. Green/bare wire is the ground typically. It will be connected to the green screw. White is usually the neutral and is connected to a silver or white screw. Black/red is usually the “hot” and connected to a brass screw.

• Regardless, be sure to reference your pictures to help ensure that you wire the new one the same way the old one was wired.

• Tighten the wires in place securely, and be sure to look for any additional wires that need to be capped off to prevent a potential fire hazard. Bare wires touching can be trouble so be sure to only bare the wires as much as you need to get a good connection.

• Set the outlet back in place and screw it in. Then screw the cover plate back in place.

• Go ahead and go back to turn the power back on at the breaker. Go back and check your outlet with an appliance, and be sure that it works and the appliance does not get hot or you smell any burning! If the appliance works properly, odds are good that it is working as it should!

• Replacing an old outlet is a pretty simple process, however with electrical systems you can run into troubles that only a licensed electrician will be trained to handle. If your wiring looks burnt, or you notice any obvious signs of major trouble you should stop immediately and have a professional electrician come service the outlet for you. Remember, if you ever find yourself in need of any assistance with your home improvement projects that your friends at Tenlist.com will always connect you with your trusted local contractors. As always, you luck and happy DIYing!