How to Replace an Electrical Outlet

If an outlet (commonly called a receptacle) no longer holds a plug snugly, it should be replaced. The procedure for replacing a duplex (two-outlet) wall receptacle is like that of replacing a switch. The only difference is that, depending on where the receptacle is in the wiring scheme of your house, it may have more wires attached to it than you find attached to a light switch.

Pay careful attention at the terminal screws of the new duplex receptacle. On each side of the receptacle is a pair of terminal screws. The upper screw is connected to the upper outlet, and the lower screw services the lower outlet. A thin, metal break-off tab connects these screws. This tab enables you to attach a single wire to either screw and feed electricity to both outlets of the receptacle. If the tab is broken off, you can connect the upper and lower outlets to separate wires and control them independently.

If the receptacle is wired to the end of a series of receptacles, it usually has only two wires, and possibly a third ground wire. If it isn’t the last receptacle, two additional wires may be connected to it in order to carry current to the next receptacle. Just rewire the new receptacle the same way the old one was wired.

You may also wire the receptacle so that a switch controls the upper outlet, and the lower outlet is on, or hot, all the time. In this case, you need to remove the break-off tab connecting the two sets of like-colored terminals on each side of the receptacle. Otherwise, the tab remains intact, and you can see a metal bridge connecting the terminals.

The important point to keep in mind is that hot (black or colored) wires attach to brass screws and neutral (white) wires attach to silver screws. If the unit is back wired, the colored wires are located in the holes behind the brass screws and the white wires in the holes behind the silver screws. If you attach a white wire to a brass screw or a colored wire to a silver screw, you may see fireworks.

To replace a standard duplex receptacle, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the power to the receptacle from the main fuse or circuit panel.
2. Unscrew and remove the cover plate; then use a voltage tester to make sure that the circuit is dead.
3. Unscrew the receptacle from the electrical box and pull it out with the wires still attached.

Note where the white and black wires are attached to the old receptacle.

1. Remove the wires.
2. Carefully inspect the old receptacle to see if the break-off tab connecting the two sets of terminals on each side of the receptacle is broken off. If it is, remove the corresponding tabs from the new receptacle.

To break off the tab, grip it with long-nose pliers and bend it back and forth until it breaks off.

1. Attach the wires to the terminals of the new receptacle.

If the wiring has a green ground wire, attach it to the green terminal on the receptacle or to the electrical box.

1. Push the new receptacle back into the electrical box and screw it in place.
2. Screw on the cover plate and then turn on the power.

How to Install a GFCI Outlet

Is your wiring more than 20 years old? Consider upgrading to GFCI outlets for your next home improvement project.

This post was originally written by Joseph Truini of Today’s Homeowner

Ground-fault circuit interrupter outlets prevent accidental electrocution, and code requires them in baths, kitchens, laundry rooms, garages and outdoor locations.

How GFCI Receptacles Keep You Safe

A GFCI has a built-in circuit breaker that interrupts the flow of electricity the instant it senses a ground fault or current leak. But a GFCI won’t work unless it’s properly connected. If your electrical system has not been upgraded for 20 years or more, you probably need to install GFCIs.

Steps for a GFCI Outlet Wiring Upgrade

1.    First, turn off the power to the circuit you’ll be working on.

2.    Take off the cover plate and unscrew the outlet from the box. Disconnect the wires and remove the old outlet.

3.    At the back of the GFCI are screw terminals marked “load” and “line.” The single screw at the bottom is the grounding screw.

4.    Attach both the black and white wires to the screw terminals on the line side.

5.    Fasten the black wire to the dark-colored screw and the white wire to the light-colored screw. Again, make sure that both wires are on the “line” side.

6.    Wrap the bare copper wire around the grounding screw and tighten it.

7.    Neatly tuck the wires into the box, screw the outlet in place and replace the cover plate.

8.    Finally, check the GFCI by pressing the “test” (power off) and “reset” (power on) buttons.

9.    After turning off the electricity to the kitchen at the main service panel, remove the cover plate and unscrew the duplex outlet from the existing cable inside the box.

10.Install the new ground-fault circuit interrupter outlet by attaching both the black and white wires to the “line” side of the outlet.

11.Connect the bare wire to the grounding screw. Replace the cover plate, then check to make sure the GFCI is operating properly.

12.Press the test button; the outlet should go dead.

13.Reset to resume current flow.

Electrical Code Reminders

• All countertop receptacle outlets must be protected by a GFCI device installed at the outlet or by GFCI circuit breakers.
• A kitchen must have two 20-amp circuits for countertop appliances.
• There should be countertop receptacles installed so that no point along the counter is more than 2 ft. from an outlet.

AC-DC Electric has been an electrical contractor for over 10 years call us for any electrical problems @ 970-330-1656