How to Replace an Electrical Outlet?

Are you tired of dealing with a broken electrical outlet? Do you have basic knowledge of electricity? If so, you can save time and money by replacing a damaged or old electrical outlet yourself. An electrical outlet/ socket/plug is an essential piece of a property’s wiring system, through which electrical equipment connects to the grid. 

Damaged or outdated electrical sockets should be replaced immediately; otherwise, you risk electrical shocks, fires, power surges or even high energy bills due to inefficient energy use. That said, it’s important to be careful around electrical outlets. There are some safety precautions and steps to take when replacing a socket. 

Know Your Outlet

You first want to figure out exactly what kind of outlet you are dealing with. Of course, sockets come in various designs, including AFCI and GFCI. AFCIs protect from electrical fires and are typically installed in bedrooms. On the other hand, GFCI protects from electrocution; hence normally installed in environments near water equipment, including bathrooms, kitchen sinks, outdoors etc. 

Check the type of socket you are replacing and the local building codes on electrical sockets to avoid violations.

Buy the Right Outlet 

Keep in mind the voltage your appliances require, and look for a socket with the correct wattage and amperage ratings. Obviously, large electrical appliances require heavy-duty charging sockets and vice versa. 

Of course, consider the size, too. There are single, triple, quad and even six pole sockets. You can even get outlets with built-in USB charging for smaller devices like phones and tablets. Overall, ensure the outlet is  UL certified for the best level of protection.

Safety Precautions

Take safety precautions to prevent disasters when replacing an electrical outlet. Go to the power box and turn off the appropriate breaker. Make sure to double and triple-check that there is no power at all in the socket before proceeding with the replacement. Of course, wear rubber gloves and safety glasses too when working with electricity. Take great care not to get the socket or wires wet. 

Removal and Installation

Simply remove the outlet cover and unscrew the old socket from the wall or wherever it is. Please avoid touching the socket’s black and white. 

Next, take your outlet and start setting it up. It’s not hard. Simply connect the ground wire to the outlet’s green ground terminal. If there’s no ground wire, simply connect the green ground pigtail to the wall box. Finally, connect the white wire to the silver terminal and the black wire to the brass-colored terminal and screw the socket in place. Turn on the power and test the new socket. 

Wrap-Up

Of course, thinking about replacing a socket can be intimidating at first since there are quite a number of electrical mishap tales out there to instill terror in anyone. However, following safety precautions and the above guide,  you can safely swap out that old or outdated wall plug for a new one. It’s straightforward and quick and will save you time and money. However, hire a seasoned electrician if the project is beyond your skill set.

An electrician will help you pick a socket of the right type and size and expertly install it according to established electrical and local building codes. Contact Starelo for state-of-the-art electrical plugs and extension cord replacement parts. We offer industrial sockets, generator power inlet and power outlet boxes, power inlet boxes and power outlet boxes for RVs, dryer power outlet boxes and more!