How to Change an Electrical Outlet in your home

Do you have to pinch your plugs to keep them in the electrical wall outlet? Are your plugs loose in the outlet hanging part way out where you can see the prongs of the plug? You need to replace those worn electrical outlets before they overheat and cause serious damage. It’s easy and safe to do as long as you make sure the power is OFF to the electrical outlet you are replacing. We just replace all the ones in our house. We will show you how easy it is to replace a 3 prong, 120 Volt, 15 Amp electrical outlet.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flat blade screwdriver Philips screwdriver (optional)
• Electrical tester (multi-meter, voltage checker or a working lamp)
• Wire stripper with cutters
• Needle nose pliers (optional)
• 3 Prong Electrical Outlet, 120 Volt, 15 Amp
• Wall Plate

1. 
    

   Turn power OFF at the main power box in your house that corresponds with the outlet you are going to replace.

2. 
    

   Using your electrical testing apparatus, check the outlet to ensure that the power is OFF. In the photo you will see that my meter shows 1.65; that is ghost voltage that my meter picks up. DO NOT trust the label inside your power box door. Use a testing device to ensure power is off. Death could be the result if the power is not off and you proceed from this point.

3. 
    

   Once power is off, remove the wall plate by unscrewing the screw in the center of the plate.

4. 
    

   Remove the upper and lower screws from the bracket that holds the outlet in the wall box.

5. 
    

   Grasping the upper and lower brackets, pull the receptacle from the wall.

6. 
    

   Cut the wires from the back of the receptacle as close to the receptacle as you can.

7. 
    

   Strip the wires about ½ of an inch. On the back of the new outlet, there should be a gauge or a mark showing how far you need to strip back the insulation.

8. Using the pliers, form a u-shaped pigtail in the ground wire. (Wire with no insulation)

9. 
    

   Work the ground wire onto the GREEN lug and tighten.

10. 
     

    Connect the white wires to the SILVER screws, behind the plate and tighten.

11. 
     

    Connect the Black wires to the BRASS screws, behind the plate and tighten.

12. 
     

    Push the outlet back into the wall box and tighten the upper and lower screws just until the outlet doesn’t wiggle easily. Don’t over tighten.

13. Replace the wall plate.

14. 
     

    Turn on the power back at the main power box.

15. 
     

    Test for power. Your done and have a new, safe electrical outlet.

Tips & Warnings

• Never Assume all electrical outlets are on the same circuit, test each one prior to removing the wall plate.
• Be sure the new electrical outlet is identical to the one you are replacing (voltage and amperage) Color of outlet does not matter.

[lighthouse1958]

on 8/5/2009 Great pictures in this article. Good advice for people who does this kind of work. I wouldn't dare. I know I would probably get shocked. My son can do this though. Good article. 5* and rec.

[seabound]

on 7/31/2009 Great article. I'm printing this one off for future use. 5*