How to Save Money Installing your Own Electric Outlet

You do not need to pay an electrician $100 to change your 75-cent outlet! Easy instructions to do it yourself.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• new outlet
• new faceplate (optional)
• screwdriver

1. Outlets come in a variety of colors to suit your décor. Choose a matching faceplate. Outlets cost somewhere around 75 cents, new faceplates between 10 cents and a few dollars for fancy ones.

2. TURN OFF THE POWER TO THE OUTLET. Easy way to test that - plug a lamp into the existing outlet and keep hitting the fuses till it turns off. No current to test with? Turn off power to the house.

3. Remove the faceplate. Look for the screw at the top and bottom. Remove that and the outlet should pop out, hanging by its wires.

4. The wires are clamped under screws. Loosen the screw and take the top wire off first. That is your "neutral" wire. Mark it with a piece of tape.

5. After removing the "neutral" wire, reattach it to the top screw. Tighten it carefully. Repeat with the bottom wire.

6. Screw the outlet back into place. Then put your new faceplate on with the supplied screw and you're all set.

Tips & Warnings

• Always examine the outlet and note how it was put together.
• Test the outlet before you screw it back into the wall.
• NEVER WORK WITH THE CURRENT ON.