How to Change Receptacles
For most homeowners, the thought of performing their own electrical repairs can be intimidating. After all, when care is not exercised, one mistake could cause injury or worse. But, some jobs are rather simple and when the directions are followed they can prove to be safe as well. One such job is changing receptacles. Here's how to change receptacles safely, quickly and easily. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- New receptacle
- Cover plate
- Screwdrivers
- Wire strippers
- Voltage tester
- Electrical tape
Instructions
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1
Turn off the power to the receptacle you want to change. Use the voltage tester to ensure that the receptacle is not powered before proceeding.
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2
Remove the screw that secures the cover plate to the receptacle. This will allow you to remove the cover plate. If the cover has been painted over, use a knife or utility blade to score around the edges of the cover to prevent the paint from peeling away from the wall.
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3
Remove the top and bottom screws that are securing the receptacle to the wall box.
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4
Carefully pull the receptacle out of the box. Note that there is a wire, or wires, connected to both sides of the receptacle. Before proceeding, check for voltage one more time.
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5
Loosen the screws on one side of the receptacle and remove the wire(s). Bend the wires out of the way. If there are two wires on each side, bend the wire that was connected to the top of the receptacle in the direction of the top of the box. Bend the bottom wire toward the bottom of the box.
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6
Loosen the screws on the other side and do the same thing. Then, loosen the ground screw and remove the ground wire.
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7
Check all of the wires for any potential problems like cuts, nicks, oxidation or near-breaks. Use the wire strippers to cut away any problem areas, re-strip the ends of the wires and bend them into a hook for easier installation.
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8
Take the new receptacle and connect the ground wire to the ground screw and tighten it down.
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9
Connect the white wires (neutral side) to the side of the receptacle that has the silver-finished screws. Tighten them down so the connections are secure.
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10
Connect the black wires (hot side) to the side of the receptacle that has the darker-colored, or bronzed screws. Tighten them down so they are secure.
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11
Wrap electrical tape around the receptacle so the terminals are covered.
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12
Carefully push the wires back into the wall box and secure the receptacle to the box by screwing the top and bottom screws into the box.
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13
Install the cover plate and turn the power back on to the circuit.
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14
Test for voltage. You should get a reading of approximately 120 volts between both hot and neutral and hot and ground if wired properly.
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Tips & Warnings
Always turn off the power before working on an electrical circuit!
