How to Install an Electrical Plug

Problems with home electrical systems can be intimidating to homeowners, but they aren't always as complicated as they might seem. A plug socket that has stopped working, for example, is an easy fix for almost anyone. Plug sockets routinely short out with age and replacements can be bought inexpensively at any local hardware store. When you purchase it, pay attention to the color of the plug (generally white, black, brown or almond) to ensure it matches the other outlets in the room.

Things You'll Need

• Universal screwdriver New electrical socket Electrician's tape Needle-nose pliers

Instructions

1. Cut off all power to the room at the home's fuse box. Remove the plate surrounding the existing plug socket with a screwdriver. Loosen the socket unit by taking out the two screws at the top and bottom. Pull the unit out of the wall and stretch out the wires that are tucked into the electrical box.

2. The socket should have two white and two black wires attached to it with screws, white wires on one side, black on the other. It should also have a bare copper grounding wire attached (though in older systems it might not). Remove all the wires by taking out the screws holding them in place. Take note of their position on the socket. If you think there is any chance you won't remember exactly where to wire them on the new outlet, draw yourself a diagram.

3. Wire the new outlet in the same fashion as the old one was, with the two black leads on one side (one above the other) and the two white ones on the other. Use needle-nose pliers to bend the wire around each screw, then tighten the screw. Do the same for the bare copper grounding wire, which connects to the green grounding screw at the bottom of the socket unit.

4. Wrap electrical tape all the way around the side of the outlet unit, covering the screw heads that you have just attached the wires to. If any bare wire is showing, other than the grounding wire, wrap it as well.

5. Tuck the wires back into the box. Press the outlet into place, align the screw holes, and put in the provided screws to secure the outlet to the box. Turn the power back on and test the unit.

Tips & Warnings

• Some styles of outlet allow you to press the wire ends into a hole instead of wrapping them around a screw. If you do this, make sure to wrap electrical tape around any exposed part of the wire that doesn't fit into the hole.

• Never work on electrical systems without first cutting power at the fuse box.

Resources

• More information is available here.