How to Select Electrical Outlets

Selecting electrical outlets for the home is an important step in protecting your safety. New homes typically have three pronged, grounded outlets, whereas you may have to replace the aging outlets in older homes. Undertaking this project should be well planned and cautiously carried out.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Determine what type of electrical outlets exist in your home. Older homes may have two-pronged outlets with no grounding wires at all. A grounded outlet will have a third, semi-circular hole above or below the two prongs.

2. Check the grounding by first turning off the power to the circuit or to the entire home at the main electrical circuit box. Remove the outlet faceplate. Check the outlet with a circuit tester to ensure the power is disconnected. Locate a green screw retaining a green wire attached to the outlet box. If this is not there, this outlet is not grounded.

3. Select new, grounded electrical outlets for the project if your home wiring permits them. Consult an electrician if the house wiring needs updating.

4. Choose outlets with ground-fault interrupters (GFIs). These outlets contain a small safety breaker inside the outlet that instantly switches off power to the outlet should it overload. The unit will have two receptacles for plugging in electrical appliances and a red and green reset switch at its center.

5. Look for electrical outlet covers that complement the surrounding décor. This saves you from painting after installation.

Tips & Warnings

• Electrical outlets come in different colors and textures. Brick, stucco and plaster models are becoming popular.
• When you check for outlet grounding wires, make sure that you have disconnected the electricity to the entire home or to the circuit you're working with.