How to Remove an Outlet From an Outlet Box

You must replace or remove electrical outlets for several reasons. You may replace an outlet when it chips or cracks, or you can change it for decorating purposes. You must remove an outlet when it's no longer in use at that location or for safety reasons in a child's bedroom.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Circuit tester
• Screw driver(s)
• Tape
• Pencil
• Wire cutters
• Plastic wire caps

1. Turn off power to your electrical outlet. It's easiest to do this during the day because cutting power to the room means you don't have any lights either. Test the circuit to make sure the power is off before you proceed.

2. Remove the screws on the outlet cover, and then remove the screws that hold the outlet in the outlet box. Gently pull out the outlet.

3. Mark your wires and make a note of the colors. Your outlet may have either two wires or four.

4. Disconnect the wires from the back of the outlet. Some wires are connected with screws, which you must remove. Other wires run into a slot in the outlet, which you must remove by inserting a flat head screwdriver and popping them out, or you can cut them with wire cutters.

5. Cap off the wires or attach them to a new electrical outlet, depending on whether you are simply removing or replacing the outlet.

Tips & Warnings

• You shouldn't replace a two-prong outlet with a three-prong outlet unless the outlet has a ground.
• Don't leave wires uncapped inside the outlet box; live wires with no cap or outlet can cause an electric fire.