How to Replace an Electrical Outlet

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Replace an Electrical Outlet

How to Replace an Electrical Outlet

With some safety precautions and a little confidence, electrical work like this can be shockingly easy. (Sorry! I couldn't help it.)

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Step 1 of 40

Do you have an outlet that doesn't work anymore? Or maybe the vacuum cleaner won't stay plugged in because the plug keeps falling out? Then you need to put on your electrician's hat and get to work!

Step 2 of 40
Here's the finished product - bright, shiny, and fully functional. Now let's backup and see how I did it...

Here's the finished product - bright, shiny, and fully functional. Now let's backup and see how I did it...

Step 3 of 40

**DISCLAIMER** - electrical work can be dangerous if done improperly. Before working on any electrical circuit make sure that you flip the breaker on your main electrical panel and kill the power.

Step 4 of 40

According to some data from 2010, about 65 people died in the US last year from electrical home improvement projects. If you don't know what you're doing, don't do the work.

Step 5 of 40

As mentioned in the comments at the end of this guide, it is important to understand local codes and make sure you comply, in addition to confirming you won't affect your homeowners insurance.

Step 6 of 40

If you don't know which breaker powers the specific outlet you'll be working on, you can flip the main service breaker for the whole panel. Be aware that this will cut power to your whole house.

Step 7 of 40

Most main service breakers are listed at 100, 200, 300 or more amps while individual breakers for plugs and lights are typically around 15 - 20 amps.

Step 8 of 40
First, plug in your outlet tester to see if there's any power to the plug. If any of the orange lights come on, don't start touching wires. Turn off the breaker at the main electrical panel.

First, plug in your outlet tester to see if there's any power to the plug. If any of the orange lights come on, don't start touching wires. Turn off the breaker at the main electrical panel.

Step 9 of 40
No lights, no power - now we can get busy. There were lights on the tester and then, after I flipped the breaker, the lights went off, so I am very comfortable that there is no power to this outlet.

No lights, no power - now we can get busy. There were lights on the tester and then, after I flipped the breaker, the lights went off, so I am very comfortable that there is no power to this outlet.

Step 10 of 40
First use the flathead screwdriver to remove the receptacle's cover plate. You'll notice I refer to this electrical device as a receptacle, plug, or outlet - the terms are pretty interchangeable.

First use the flathead screwdriver to remove the receptacle's cover plate. You'll notice I refer to this electrical device as a receptacle, plug, or outlet - the terms are pretty interchangeable.

Step 11 of 40
Use a Phillips screwdriver (hand or drill powered based on your personal preference) to remove the screws that hold the outlet to the junction box (the J-box is where all the wires come in).

Use a Phillips screwdriver (hand or drill powered based on your personal preference) to remove the screws that hold the outlet to the junction box (the J-box is where all the wires come in).

Step 12 of 40
Remove both top and bottom screws.

Remove both top and bottom screws.

Step 13 of 40
Pull the entire outlet away from the J-box to reveal the backside where the wires are. This specific plug's J-box has 5 wires: 2 black, 2 white, and 1 bare copper ground wire.

Pull the entire outlet away from the J-box to reveal the backside where the wires are. This specific plug's J-box has 5 wires: 2 black, 2 white, and 1 bare copper ground wire.

Step 14 of 40
I'm lazy so I take my needlenose pliers and just cut the wires at the outlet instead of taking the time to unscrew and remove them.

I'm lazy so I take my needlenose pliers and just cut the wires at the outlet instead of taking the time to unscrew and remove them.

Step 15 of 40
Once you cut all the wires you can discard your old outlet. A "typical" outlet will only have 1 black, 1 white, and 1 bare ground wire. Since this one has more, it means it is part of a "series".

Once you cut all the wires you can discard your old outlet. A "typical" outlet will only have 1 black, 1 white, and 1 bare ground wire. Since this one has more, it means it is part of a "series".

Step 16 of 40

A "series" means there are 2 or more outlets powered by the same wiring and circuit. The other set of black and white wires goes to the next outlet down the line and that's how it gets its power.

Step 17 of 40
Since I clipped the wires when I removed the old receptacle I need to re-expose the bare copper wire to make a clean connection to the new outlet. I use the wire strippers to remove the insulation.

Since I clipped the wires when I removed the old receptacle I need to re-expose the bare copper wire to make a clean connection to the new outlet. I use the wire strippers to remove the insulation.

Step 18 of 40

The wires are actually 14 gauge (which is a reference to their thickness) but I'm using the 12 gauge stripper to expose the copper. Up to you.

Step 19 of 40

Here's a quick vid - I rotate the stripper to cut the insulation all around and then pull it toward me. The insulation pulls off with a little effort and reveals clean copper wire.

Step 20 of 40
Perfecto!

Perfecto!

Step 21 of 40
Do the same stripping for all 4 insulated wires. The copper grounding wire is already bare so you're good to go.

Do the same stripping for all 4 insulated wires. The copper grounding wire is already bare so you're good to go.

Step 22 of 40
The back of the new outlet. There are 2 connection screws for our wires on each side. A total of 4. How fortuitous that we have 4 wires! The ground wire connects to the green screw at the bottom.

The back of the new outlet. There are 2 connection screws for our wires on each side. A total of 4. How fortuitous that we have 4 wires! The ground wire connects to the green screw at the bottom.

Step 23 of 40
A little hard to read, but the left side says "hot wire" and the right side says "white wire". We'll put the black wires on the hot side and the white wires on the left side.

A little hard to read, but the left side says "hot wire" and the right side says "white wire". We'll put the black wires on the hot side and the white wires on the left side.

Step 24 of 40
First connect the ground wire to the green screw at the bottom of the outlet. Wrap it around the screw and the tighten to lock the wire in place.

First connect the ground wire to the green screw at the bottom of the outlet. Wrap it around the screw and the tighten to lock the wire in place.

Step 25 of 40
Then start attaching your white wires. If you look in the J-box you'll notice that the wires come together in pairs - a black and a white together and another black and white together.

Then start attaching your white wires. If you look in the J-box you'll notice that the wires come together in pairs - a black and a white together and another black and white together.

Step 26 of 40
Make sure the black wire you put on the bottom is the "pair" that goes with the white wire you put on the bottom on the other side. They're meant to be together so let's keep them that way!

Make sure the black wire you put on the bottom is the "pair" that goes with the white wire you put on the bottom on the other side. They're meant to be together so let's keep them that way!

Step 27 of 40
All 5 wires attached - well done!

All 5 wires attached - well done!

Step 28 of 40
You kinda have to stuff the wires back in the J-box to get the outlet to fit back in there correctly. You shouldn't be able to mess anything up so just squish it all in there until it fits.

You kinda have to stuff the wires back in the J-box to get the outlet to fit back in there correctly. You shouldn't be able to mess anything up so just squish it all in there until it fits.

Step 29 of 40
Then use your Phillips screwdriver to anchor the outlet to the J-box, both top and bottom.

Then use your Phillips screwdriver to anchor the outlet to the J-box, both top and bottom.

Step 30 of 40
You'll want to get the metal frame of the outlet right up to the drywall or J-box otherwise it will move around easily and feel unsupported. Try and get the outlet as straight and level as possible.

You'll want to get the metal frame of the outlet right up to the drywall or J-box otherwise it will move around easily and feel unsupported. Try and get the outlet as straight and level as possible.

Step 31 of 40
Now attach the new cover plate. Try and flush out the outlet and the cover plate as you screw it on so there is no change in plane between the two - this is a nice clean look.

Now attach the new cover plate. Try and flush out the outlet and the cover plate as you screw it on so there is no change in plane between the two - this is a nice clean look.

Step 32 of 40
There you have it! No need to over tighten the screws on the cover plate. They will warp the cover plate which is undesirable. Also, I made sure the slots in the screws pointed North/South. Classy.

There you have it! No need to over tighten the screws on the cover plate. They will warp the cover plate which is undesirable. Also, I made sure the slots in the screws pointed North/South. Classy.

Step 33 of 40

You may have noticed the outlet I installed was a GFCI receptacle which means it protects you from ground faults (voltage imbalances). The installation required using the screw studs on the side.

Step 34 of 40
This is a standard outlet with a "quickwire" feature where you can stick the stripped wire directly into a little hole where it makes good contact with the conductors. This is awesome and really easy.

This is a standard outlet with a "quickwire" feature where you can stick the stripped wire directly into a little hole where it makes good contact with the conductors. This is awesome and really easy.

Step 35 of 40

If you haven't done so already, go back to your main electrical panel and flip the breaker back on. Plug in a lamp to the outlet and turn it on and off making sure it works correctly. Fingers crossed!

Step 36 of 40

If there's a problem and it doesn't work correctly, most likely you've just crossed up a wire or haven't connected something tightly enough. Turn the power back off and take another look at your work.

Step 37 of 40

I had a problem when I installed this outlet since it was GFCI. The top screws where the wires connect is where the main AC "hot" power needs to go. Since there was another outlet on the circuit...

Step 38 of 40

...I accidentally put THOSE wires at the top instead of the bottom where you install the wires for plugs in the series. To fix it I switched the black/white bottom wires to the top - it worked great.

Step 39 of 40

The directions that came with the GFCI outlet were clear enough to explain this fix - I'm a big believer in following the directions, especially when it comes to electrical work.

Step 40 of 40

Good luck to you in all of your home improvement efforts!

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9 Comments
Supplies

1 Replacement electrical receptacle

1 Phillips head screwdriver

1 Flathead screwdriver

1 Pair of needlenose pliers

1 Pair of wire strippers

1 Outlet power tester

Nick Collins

Sorry I wasn't dissing the person for making the guide. I was saying that all electrical work should be carried out by qualified electricians. It can't hurt to learn these things though. My wife sees the results of failed DIY efforts far too often. Most of the time it comes down to economics not wanting to pay or not being able to afford to pay for work but life is more valuable. Just a week ago some guy lost his life fitting a garden light. Fires are more common than people think. There is a good side and a bad side to guides like this, as long as people use their own judgement then it's fine. I did not want to cause offence to the guide writer, my intention was to create awareness. Generally has and electrics are the only parts of DIY that should be left to the professionals....

Nick Collins last year

Brian Hoopes

@Garrett - well said, sir. Well said. Thank you!!!

(author) last year

Brian Hoopes

@Nick - I definitely appreciate the comments. Professional electricians should be use by anyone who feels wary about doing projects like this. I did my research and had my father-in-law help as well and he's got years of experience. For others self-performing this work may not be the best idea. As @Daniel says above, part of the whole process is understanding how things work. Either you get it and can do the work yourself confidently and successfully or you don't get it and choose to pay a professional to do it.

(author) last year

Daniel Raffel

@Nick DIY electrical work isn't for everyone but learning about how things works is still highly valuable. It might inspire someone to become an electrician, hire one or just have more respect for the craft! Thanks for sharing your concerns and providing people with other things to consider.

Daniel Raffel last year

Daniel Raffel

Thanks for the tips, I've had some Power Jacks around that have USB ports on them that I've been wanting to give a try. This is gonna help me a lot when I install them later!

Daniel Raffel last year

Nick Collins

This is crazy. ALL electric work should only be carried out by a qualified electrician! You will not be able to make a claim on your insurance if something goes wrong. Not to mention the fire / death / injury risk. Guides like this are the reason there are so many electrical fires and deaths etc. I'm not slating the writer - just the content.

Nick Collins last year

Brian Hoopes

Glad I made it at least slightly understandable - lots of steps to follow with a bunch of rambling text!

(author) last year

Bruce Igor

Thanks, u thot me abt series connection.

Bruce Igor last year

Erin D

Thanks so much, very easy to understand.

Erin D last year

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Brian Hoopes

Good eyes! It is faulty. The middle light is burned out. Found this out during my task yesterday.

(author) last year

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Josh Alto

Wrap it clockwise, not CCW as in picture.

Josh Alto last month

Josh Alto

You wrap it clockwise so it tightens as you screw in. This one is wrapped the wrong way.

Josh Alto last month

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Brian Hoopes

No worries! Your comment was absolutely right on and needs to be stressed, probably more so than I did in my narrative.

(author) last year

Brian Hoopes

You are very perceptive. I covered this in a narrative later in the tutorial - I messed it up the first time!!

(author) last year

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