How to Connect Electrical Outlet Wiring
It is not uncommon for an aging electrical outlet to short out or stop working. Years of constant use can cause an outlet to develop a problem and require replacement. At times, older homes may have functioning outlets, but owners will decide to upgrade the outlets to meet modern electrical safety code standards. If the home's wiring itself is up to code, it is not difficult to connect it to a replacement electrical outlet. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Shut off the power to the electrical outlet you are replacing. This is done by locating the correct breaker inside your home's electrical panel, and flipping the breaker off. Verify that no current is present in the circuit you'll be working on by plugging a working lamp or some other powered device into the outlet and making sure it can't get power, or by checking the outlet with a multimeter.
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Remove the faceplate from the old outlet, using a screwdriver. Once the faceplate is removed, you will see that two screws hold the outlet itself in place inside the electrical box that contains it and its wiring. Remove these screws, freeing the outlet from the box. Pull the outlet and its attached wires away from the box. Disconnect all of the wires from the outlet, using the screwdriver to loosen the screws. The wires are color-coded. Notice which wires go to which screws.
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Connect the wires to the new electrical outlet the same way they were connected to the old one. Attach the green wire to the green screw of the new outlet, and tighten the screw down. This is the ground wire connection.
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Place the white wire under either of the two silver screws on the left side of the outlet. Tighten down this screw to secure the wire in place. This is the neutral wire connection of the outlet.
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Place the black wire under either of the two gold screws on the right side of the outlet. Tighten down the screw to secure the black wire in place. This is the hot wire connection of the outlet.
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Ensure that all screws and wires are tight and secure.
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Push the wires back into the electrical box and fasten the new outlet to the box, using the two screws that held the old outlet in place. Put the faceplate onto the new outlet, and screw it in place.
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Turn the breaker back on to restore power to the outlet. The new outlet is ready to be used.
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Tips & Warnings
It is possible to get a severe shock or even be killed when working with electricity if you do not take proper precautions. Improper wiring can cause electrical shock to someone using the outlet, or cause a fire. Always use extreme caution when working around electricity. Leave a note at the breaker box saying you're working on the circuit, so no one will flip the breaker back on. Be sure to double-check that you have turned off the correct breaker before you begin replacing the outlet. If you are in any doubt about working with electricity or about the condition of your home's wiring, call a professional electrician.
References
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