Ways to Install a new Electrical Outlet Step by Step

by LongmanSex on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

By Gemma Taylor


Installing a brand new electrical outlet is easy to accomplish as long as you take the vital precautions.

Initial make sure you locate the circuit breaker that feeds the old outlet. Visit the electrical service box in your property. See in the event the circuit breakers are marked as to where they're situated. If they aren't marked then you definitely will must shut each circuit breaker off a single at a time and test the outlet you are replacing. Most outlets run off of a 15 amp breaker so stick these switches. You may plug a light in to the outlet and leave it on to determine if it goes out when you flip the breaker off.

In the event the outlet isn't working appropriately then you definitely may perhaps have to get a straightforward circuit tester and examine the wires to the outlet to produce sure the electrical energy is off. You can also short against the black and white wire with an insulated screwdriver to trip the breaker, but not necessarily a safe method to find out which a single it can be.

As soon as you might have the electrical energy shut off it is possible to eliminate the front cover plate, in case you have not currently. Unscrew the old outlet and pull it out of the box. You will have at least two wires connected to the outlet, 3 if it is a grounded circuit for the major service box. You should have one particular white and one black wire with the ground being copper. Should you have a very old residence and the wiring hasn't been changed over then probably you only have two wires and also the colors might vary. The most common are white and black.

The white wire could be the neutral wire and also known as the ground. The black wire will be the feed or hot wire that supplies electricity. Prior to you remove any wires take note of where they're on the old outlet so it is possible to replace them onto the new 1. Several new outlets have two alternatives of connecting the wiring. It is possible to either connect to the screws on each side or slide the wires in to the back from the outlet in their correct slots - they may be generally marked for the color on the wire or say hot for the hot side.

The moment you get the wires connected be certain they may be tight and then slide the outlet back into it really is box and tighten down with the new screws. Replace the cover plate after which go back to the service box and flip on the circuit breaker. If the circuit breaker trips back off immediately then you have somehow shorted out the wires or mis-wired the outlet. Recheck the outlet and make adjustments. Attempt the breaker again and be sure it doesn't trip. If all is well then plug within your electrical appliance and be sure anything works.

Electricity is definitely nothing at all to play around with, if you don't feel confident in replacing an outlet play it safe and have an electrician take care of it. It can be quite cool to be in a position to accomplish it yourself as long as you take the vital precautions.




About the Author:



Leave a Reply