How To Repair An Outlet

Every year, thousands of house fires are caused past poor electrical wiring. In some of these cases, the culprit is really a bad or broken outlet, which is why it's so important to periodically check yours. Determining if an outlet needs replacing is easy.

Starting time, look for visual clues: if the face of the outlet looks burned or has scorch marks, information technology's probably time to alter it. Sometimes, there are no visual clues, but rather, the outlet is unable to hold a plug snugly, it sparks, or the lamp flickers. Of grade, sometimes it only won't work. Whatever of these is an indication that the outlet needs replacing. Changing an outlet is not difficult, simply it'due south imperative that you follow certain steps to remain rubber.

1. Shut off the power to the excursion—y'all can exercise this past locating the circuit billow in the excursion box. Information technology'south a good idea to identify a piece of tape labeled "Exercise Not Touch" over the circuit box to insure that no i else will flip the circuit back on.
   
   
2. Remove the encompass plate and examination the power: Once you remove the embrace plate, you volition demand to test the power with a circuit tester to be certain that power is indeed off. (You can too leave a lamp or radio plugged in.) If the tester indicates that the power is off, then keep to step 3. If the power is still on, do not continue.
   
   
3. Unscrew the electrical outlet and pull it frontward from the electrical box to expose the wiring: Do non cut the wires. Pull it forrad with the wires still fastened. You may want to check the power one more fourth dimension with the excursion tester.
4. Afterwards the outlet is removed, you tin remove the wires. But do not cutting your wires if the leads extend less than 3 inches beyond wall box.
   
5. If the wires are salvageable, that is, not frayed or scorched, yous tin unscrew the wires and remove the damaged outlet. It's imperative to remove the wires in the following gild:

   Black: (this is the "hot" wire). Loosen the spiral by turning it counter-clockwise. Repeat the step with the white (neutral) wire, then finally remove the green (ground) wire.

6. Attach the new outlet. Hither, it's important to know which wires connect to which screw:

   Black wire: insert information technology in the pigsty with the brass spiral
   White wire: insert it in the pigsty with the argent screw
   Greenish wire: insert it in the pigsty with the green screw
   Electricians accept a footling saying that goes like this: "Black to brass and green to ground."

   

7. Before installing the new outlet, be sure to wrap the wires with electrical tape to prevent it from sparking. Now, you are ready to install and test. Gently constrict the wires dorsum into the outlet box—be sure to install the box with the neutral side upwardly to insure that if anything were to fall onto the outlet it would hit the neutral side and prevent arching. Now, screw it into place and cover with the face plate.
   
   
8. You are now ready to plow the power back on at the excursion box. Exam the outlet one last time past pushing the "test button" in the center of the receptacle. If the reset push button pops out, your outlet is live and working.

Because outlets deteriorate from time or from constant use, it's always a good idea to bank check the outlets in your home to insure they are running properly semi-annually. If you have whatever doubts or fears virtually changing the outlet, do non hesitate to call a licensed electrician, as this kind of work tin can be unsafe.

Source: https://www.dixonleasing.com/blog/trade-secrets/how-to-replace-an-outlet

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