22

I have a number of outlets that are old and worn out (plugs fall out of them mainly.)

Obviously I need to turn off the breaker to replace them safely.

Any guidance on how to rewire them, how to properly ground the new one, and how to safely test them once the power is back on?

Improve this question
1
  • 3
    For testing them I use a neat tool called a Circuit Breaker Tester like the one here. I have found this to be very handy. google.com/products/…
    – Tester101
    Commented Jul 21, 2010 at 19:30

7 Answers 7

Reset to default
18

If you plan on doing much electrical work around the house, get a multi-meter. It's just a little box with black and red probes on the end. Safe enough to stick in an outlet to see if it's live or not.

Outlets are mostly idiot proof. Turn off the breaker, pull it out of the box, see where the old wires are attached and move them one by one to the new outlet. Probably the old outlet already has a ground wire, in which case you're done. If it doesn't, it's probably time to call a pro.

Once you have it hooked up and the power is back on, you can use the multimeter to test. There is a hot side and a neutral side to the outlet. Ground behaves the same as neutral as far as the multimeter is concerned. You should be able to stick one prob in the hot side and the other into ground or neutral and get around 110 on the multimeter (+/- 2-3 volts).

Improve this answer
4
  • 5
    Just be sure to hook the correct wires to the proper terminals. Black to brass, white to silver, and ground is the odd man out.
    – Tester101
    Commented Jul 21, 2010 at 19:35
  • 2
    Ground is often a green-tinged screw, but yes, it's always the one not part of the pair.
    – Steve Armstrong
    Commented Jul 21, 2010 at 19:37
  • 3
    In the US 110 volt 15 amp receptacle, the hot connection is the shorter slot.
    – Brad Gilbert
    Commented Jul 24, 2010 at 3:37
  • 2
    Get a book that shows you what goes where. Little details matter. E.g. if the outlet is using push-connections, that can be mystifying until you realize there's a slot that you push a screwdriver into to release the wire.
    – Alex Feinman
    Commented Mar 4, 2011 at 17:29
13

One other very important thing that nobody has mentioned: before purchasing your replacement outlets, make sure that your house does not have aluminum wiring.

Most of the switches & outlets you'll find are designed for copper, and using them with aluminum can lead to dangerous conditions, including fires. There are outlets specifically designed for aluminum.

Improve this answer
3
  • Interesting, I didn't know this. I know I have aluminium wires, but I've not paid any attention to the outlets & switches I've been replacing around the house. So far I've not seen any problems in over 2 years of use, however I'm curious as to what I'm risking with.
    – Vilx-
    Commented Dec 6, 2011 at 12:13
  • 1
    Aluminum expands more than copper, so over time the wire will come loose, leading to arcing and the possibility of fire. Take a look at faqs.org/faqs/electrical-wiring/part2/section-16.html
    – chris
    Commented Dec 6, 2011 at 12:42
  • Home Depot offers an ointment that can be used with the aluminum wire - to - copper screws connections. It is not very expensive. It prevents oxidation.
    – SDsolar
    Commented Mar 31, 2018 at 4:41
11

Something like this (not this) should show you quickly if your current plugs are wired correctly, and should also test the ground. If you've got a good ground, then replacing the socket should be just a matter of:

  • Turning off the breaker
  • Unscrew and disconnect the socket
  • Re-strip the ends of the wires if needed
  • Attach the new socket to the same three wires
  • Screw the new socket in
  • Turn on the breaker
  • Test the socket with your fancy tester

If you don't have good ground, then you might not have a ground wire running into the box, which makes this alot harder, and you might want to call a real electrician at that point.

Improve this answer
0
7

Another thing not mentioned so far: tamper-resistant receptacles are required by code in the US (since 2008) and Canada (since 2009). These have a built-in plate that covers the holes unless something is pushed into both sides at once, which greatly reduces the chances of a child pushing something into an outlet and being injured.

Big box stores will still have the old kind on-hand (it's not illegal to sell them, and AFAIK they can still be used in non-residential environments), so be sure you get the right ones if you want to do the work to code and have the most up-to-date safety features.

Improve this answer
3
  • I did not know that; I just bought a house built in '81 and obviously it has non-child-resistant outlets all over, so I have been replacing with identical hardware (or in some cases swapping for GFCI) where necessary.
    – KeithS
    Commented Jun 22, 2011 at 18:33
  • 1
    I believe that TR outlets are only required in new construction, and not in renovations (unlike GFCI). Obviously, check the codes of your jurisdiction to be sure.
    – Aaron
    Commented Dec 5, 2011 at 0:17
  • They can be used in garages and outdoors (although those may require weather-resistant receps). I buy all my GFCI receps as both TR and WR, so I don't have to worry about it.
    – Jay Bazuzi
    Commented Dec 5, 2011 at 18:31
5

One very important thing that others have not mentioned - If the outlet is in a kitchen in an older home, it will often have separate circuits for the top and bottom plug.

So, if that's the case, make sure BOTH circuits are off, and when you put the new outlet in, make sure you break off the little tab that connects the top and bottom wire connectors on both sides of the outlet (note that you ONLY do this if there are two circuits on the outlet. Leave the tab on if there's only one)

Improve this answer
5

Other people have already answered this one pretty well. I just wanted to add one thing. While you are replacing the outlets, it might be a good idea to use GFCI receptacles where appropriate.

GFCIs should be used wherever stuff that is plugged into it could be exposed to water. (Outlets that are near kitchen/bathroom sinks, outdoor outlets, outlets that are right under a water line, etc).

Improve this answer
4
  • 2
    I would only do this is places where the particular outlet is not already being protected by another GFCI outlet, or a GFCI breaker.
    – Brad Gilbert
    Commented Jul 24, 2010 at 3:43
  • i was wondering about this. Besides cost is there a harm to just using GFCI outlets everywhere?
    – JoshReedSchramm
    Commented Jul 28, 2010 at 19:16
  • GFCI outlets will wear out much more quickly; the quick-trip mechanism will eventually stop working. On newer ones, that will cause the plug to go dead, while on older ones it'll supply power but won't trip (a BIG deal when that's the whole point of a GFCI). @Brad - The rule is, one GFCI per breaker circuit that supplies power near water, placed as far upstream in the circuit as you wish to protect.
    – KeithS
    Commented Jun 22, 2011 at 18:40
  • The point I was trying to make is that it's rather pointless, and expensive, to put in a GFCI outlet downstream of another one, or on a GFCI breaker.
    – Brad Gilbert
    Commented Jun 25, 2011 at 1:19
5

Note: in some jurisdictions (e.g. Australia), it's illegal to do your own wiring - you have to use a licensed electrician.

Improve this answer
3
  • 3
    Where's the fun in that?
    – Brad Gilbert
    Commented Jul 24, 2010 at 3:41
  • Another Aussie here: A licensed "electrical contractor" is also OK (and usually cheaper). Also note that changing your lightbulbs is illegal under the same regulation (no joke).
    – MGOwen
    Commented Jul 29, 2010 at 7:22
  • 1
    Some kinds of work is also allowed if supervised or inspected by someone licensed, but you should ask your local sparky as to what that allows you to do.
    – staticsan
    Commented Mar 7, 2011 at 23:25

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.