Electrical Outlet Receptacle Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          10 - 15 minutes

Sections

Outlet/Receptacle
19 steps

Flags

BackElectrical
Full Screen
Options
History
Save to Favorites
Download PDF
Edit
Translate
Get Shareable Link
Embed This Guide
Notify Me of Changes
Stop Notifications

Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Outlet/Receptacle

Before beginning this guide, read your local laws to decide if you are legally allowed to replace an outlet
Turn off the power to the outlets by switching off all breakers that are labelled “receptacle.”
Alternatively, you can switch off all breakers.

Before beginning this guide, read your local laws to decide if you are legally allowed to replace an outlet

Turn off the power to the outlets by switching off all breakers that are labelled “receptacle.”

Alternatively, you can switch off all breakers.

1024

Step 2

Using a flat-head screwdriver, remove the outer cover plate of the outlet by unscrewing the middle screw.

Using a flat-head screwdriver, remove the outer cover plate of the outlet by unscrewing the middle screw.

Step 3

Determine there is no power at the outlet using a voltage tester. Place the tester against each screw on the side of the outlet.
The tester will typically emit a red light and make noise when there is power and will emit a green light when there is not power.

Determine there is no power at the outlet using a voltage tester. Place the tester against each screw on the side of the outlet.

The tester will typically emit a red light and make noise when there is power and will emit a green light when there is not power.

Step 4

Unscrew the top and bottom screws holding the outlet into the interior electrical box.
The screws on outlets vary. They may have either a phillips head or a flat head, so use the screwdriver that works with your screws

Unscrew the top and bottom screws holding the outlet into the interior electrical box.

The screws on outlets vary. They may have either a phillips head or a flat head, so use the screwdriver that works with your screws

Step 5

Holding the top and bottom tabs of the outlet, pull the outlet away from the wall, exposing the wires inside the electrical box.

Holding the top and bottom tabs of the outlet, pull the outlet away from the wall, exposing the wires inside the electrical box.

Step 6

Unscrew each screw and free the wire from under it.
Styles that have wires inserted into the back of the outlet will require you to pull and twist the outlet to free the wires.

Unscrew each screw and free the wire from under it.

Styles that have wires inserted into the back of the outlet will require you to pull and twist the outlet to free the wires.

Step 7

If your wires already have hooks on the ends, you may skip to step 10.
Using a pair of wire strippers, place the wire into each groove, closing the wire strippers around the wire to find the size that barely does not fit around the wires.
In the United States, residential wires are typically 12 gauge or 14 gauge, denoted by 12 and 14 on the wire strippers.

If your wires already have hooks on the ends, you may skip to step 10.

Using a pair of wire strippers, place the wire into each groove, closing the wire strippers around the wire to find the size that barely does not fit around the wires.

In the United States, residential wires are typically 12 gauge or 14 gauge, denoted by 12 and 14 on the wire strippers.

Step 8

For each wire, approximately 0.75 inches (2 centimeters) away from the clipped end of the wire, clamp the strippers down on the wire and pull the strippers toward the clipped end of the wire, revealing the bare wire underneath.

For each wire, approximately 0.75 inches (2 centimeters) away from the clipped end of the wire, clamp the strippers down on the wire and pull the strippers toward the clipped end of the wire, revealing the bare wire underneath.

Step 9

For each wire, using a pair of wire strippers or pliers, take hold of the exposed tip of the wire, and curve the tip of the wire, making a small hook.
Separate the wires so that the black wires are on the right and the rest are on the left, with the ground wire at the bottom.

For each wire, using a pair of wire strippers or pliers, take hold of the exposed tip of the wire, and curve the tip of the wire, making a small hook.

Separate the wires so that the black wires are on the right and the rest are on the left, with the ground wire at the bottom.

Step 10

Retrieve the new outlet.

Retrieve the new outlet.

Step 11

Loosen all of the screws on the new outlet

Loosen all of the screws on the new outlet

Step 12

Hold the outlet with face of the outlet pointing toward you, with the copper screws on the right, and the silver screws on the left.

Hold the outlet with face of the outlet pointing toward you, with the copper screws on the right, and the silver screws on the left.

Step 13

Hook each black wire around a copper screw, with the hook clockwise, and tighten the screw down.

Hook each black wire around a copper screw, with the hook clockwise, and tighten the screw down.

Step 14

Hook each white wire around a silver screw, with the hook clockwise. Tighten the screws down completely

Hook each white wire around a silver screw, with the hook clockwise. Tighten the screws down completely

Step 15

Hook the ground wire around the screw that is separate from all other screws, and tighten the screw down.

Hook the ground wire around the screw that is separate from all other screws, and tighten the screw down.

Step 16

Push the outlet and wires back into the electrical box.

Push the outlet and wires back into the electrical box.

Step 17

Fully tighten the screws on the top and bottom tabs, positioning the outlet so that it is straight, vertically.

Fully tighten the screws on the top and bottom tabs, positioning the outlet so that it is straight, vertically.

Step 18

Retrieve the outlet cover plate, and tighten the middle screw to the middle of the outlet.

Retrieve the outlet cover plate, and tighten the middle screw to the middle of the outlet.

Step 19

Switch on all the breakers that you turned off in step 1.

Switch on all the breakers that you turned off in step 1.

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

                                                                                      4 other people completed this guide.

Author

                                      with 1 other contributor

                    Tyler Wallace

Member since: 10/29/2019

399 Reputation

                                      1 Guide authored                  



                       Badges:
                       7







                                                        +4 more badges

Team

                       University of Memphis, Team S1-G3, Willis Fall 2019                        

                                                  Member of University of Memphis, Team S1-G3, Willis Fall 2019 



                    UM-WILLIS-F19S1G3                     


                                            1 Member                     


                                            1 Guide authored

aria electrical - May 30, 2022

pictures tell the story in the right manner, easy to do.

Thanks from Aria electical

Michelle - Oct 26, 2022

This is a great step by step guide. I wish I had this a couple of years ago. I knocked myself off a ladder because I thought the power was off… didn’t test it… and got super lucky. Don’t be like me… spend the money on a voltage tester to make sure it isn’t live.

Michelle - Oct 26, 2022

if you are in the fullerton ca area and we can help… check us out at http://fullertonElectricpros.com

Introduction#

What you need#

Team#

Introduction

What you need

Team