How to Change a 120-Volt Electrical Outlet

Sometimes as electrical outlets age they can stop working, or they can spark, causing a safety risk. It is a good idea to replace old 120-volt electrical outlets before there is a problem. Not only can replacing electrical outlets improve the safety of the home, it can also improve the beauty as well. A new 120-volt electrical outlet with a cover plate will cost about $5, according to 2010 prices, and will take even a novice only minutes to install.

Things You'll Need

• 120-volt electrical outlet
• Cover plate
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Shut off the circuit breaker to that outlet. Be sure the power is off before removing the cover plate.

2. Remove the cover plate by unscrewing the screws.

3. Remove the two screws that hold the outlet in the box. There is one screw on top of the outlet and one on the bottom

4. Disconnect the wires attached to the outlet. If the outlet is an older one, the wires will be wrapped around screws on each side of the outlet. There may be a ground wire on a screw at the top of the outlet. If the outlet is newer, the wires will be stuck into holes in the outlet and tightened with screws.

5. Attach the wires to the new outlet by either wrapping the wires around the screws or inserting them into the holes on the back and tightening the corresponding screws to hold them in place. Be sure that the darker wire, which is the "hot" wire, is attached to the copper screw or corresponding hole. Attach the white or lighter wire, which is the neutral wire, to the silver screw or corresponding hole. The ground wire, if there is one, should be attached to the green-colored screw.

6. Attach the outlet to the box in the wall with a screw on top and on the bottom. Replace the cover plate and turn on the breaker.