Comments on: How to Replace an Electrical Outlet

on 8/5/2008 Thanks for te step-by-step instructions. You saved me a service call and at least $200.00 plus the cost of parts. Please keep writing and posting great DIY articles. Thanks again!

on 7/27/2007 and if someone comes across a split receptacle, are they going to know to do what?????

break off the tab....

on 3/27/2007 for anyone who has a problem like the guy with addition: lights and plugs are usually on a different circuit. Make sure you have the right breaker off first. Your plugs will be wired in a row with a wire going from one to the next around the room. That should all be one circuit. FIRST, BUY A TESTER (it's yellow with diagnosing lights on the front and a 3 prong plug on the back- available for $5 at any hardware store). If you have some saying the hot and neutrals aren't connected like marcostejada, that means they are loose or switched somewhere on the circuit. First check the ones that say it's connected wrong. If you don't find the problem there, go to the next one on either side of the problem outlets. White is neutral and black or red is hot. Your plug should have little holes for inserting the stripped wire ends in...a fast connection compared to bending the wires around the screws. If it doesn't, it's and older one. Anyway, if you look at the side of the plug where the wires connect, it will say hot on one side and neutral on the other. Make sure all the white wires are connected to the neutral side and black to hot on all your receptacles. If those are switched, the circuit is broken and there is your problem. If everything is kosher, then you either have a bad connection on one of the wires to the plug or short somewhere in the wall.

on 7/5/2007 new addition two rooms i dont have power on two recepticles in each room ligths work how can find the problem im using a outlet tester and every time i useit its say neutral contact not connected and on the other saids hot contact not connected please if you can help me fix my problem i will appreciated thank you

on 7/17/2006 When bending a solid wire, grip the wire with needle nose pliers and twist the wire part way around the nose of the pliers to form a "hook". Use this to "hook" around the screw.

on 11/22/2005 Make sure the wires are wrapped clockwise around the screws. NEVER replace an outlet that has 2 holes on the front with one that has 3! In many cases, this could be very unsafe. If you want to replace a 2-wire outlet with a 3-wire, consult an electrician.

on 11/22/2005 When you have wire that is stranded, not solid, twist the strands counterclockwise before putting it under the screw terminal. This will allow the wire to twist upon itself, making a much better connection.

on 11/22/2005 When using needle nose pliers to put the wire on the outlet screw, bend the wire in the oppsite direction of the loop you are making and then bend it back - it will go around the screw a lot more easily.