How to Replace an Old Two-Prong Outlet With a New Three-Prong Outlet

Two-prong outlets are not as safe as three-prong outlets.

The difference between a two-prong and a three-prong outlet is that the two-prong outlet is missing a grounding wire. The grounding wire draws electricity away from the outlet in case of a fault, which prevents damage to electrical devices connected to the outlet. It also prevents electrical shocks to anyone touching those devices during a fault. A three-prong outlet includes the safety ground wire. Installing a three-prong outlet to replace an older two-prong outlet is cheap and takes under an hour.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Circuit tester
• Green grounding screw
• Green grounding wire
• Three-prong outlet

Instructions

1. Remove the screws holding the cover plate in place.

2. Remove the two screws holding the outlet in place.

3. Touch a circuit testing probe to the shorter of the two slots on the outlet. Touch the other probe to the screw holding the electrical plate in place. The probe should light up if the box is grounded. Call an electrician if the box is not grounded.

4. Turn off the electricity to the room you are working in at the circuit breaker.

5. Loosen the screws holding the wires on the two-prong outlet.

6. Attach the black wire to the brass screw on the new three-prong outlet and the white wire to the silver.

7. Insert a green grounding screw, available from hardware stores, into the hole at the back of the electrical box. Attach the end of a green grounding wire to the screw.

8. Attach the green wire to the green screw on the new outlet.

9. Tighten the outlet to the wall and replace the cover. Turn on the electricity.

References

• ZenFixIt!: How to Upgrade a Two Wire Outlet to a Safe Three Wire Outlet For Less Than Ten Dollars
• This Old House; Replacing Two-Prong Receptacles; Harry Sawyers