Changing an outlet isn’t that hard but you need to follow safety precautions because it does involve electricity! These instructions are changing a 3 prong to a 3 prong. If you need to change a 2 prong to a 3 prong, consult a professional, you’ll need to add a ground wire.
What you’ll need:
a new plug
flat head screwdriver
circuit tester
linesmen pliers
electric tape
First thing you do (And this is the MOST IMPORTANT)
Shut off power at the circuit box/electric box
**If other people are in the house, you may want to put a note on the box that you’re working on electric.
Use circuit tester to make sure no power is going to the plug! (extra safety measure) These are very easy to use- it has lights on it to tell you whether the power is on or off.
Once you’re sure the power is off- take off the plate
Unscrew the outlet (usually 2 screws)
Pull outlet out enough so you can take off the wires.
LOOK at your wires- Again This is IMPORTANT! (you can use tape to tell you where they were /ex. top right)
Black= HOT
White= neutral
Green= ground
Unscrew the wires
Connect the wires to your new outlet (when you’re loosening the screws on the new outlet- Do Not unscrew them all the way, just unscrew enough to get the wire around it.)
Use the pliers to squeeze the wire around the screw. Tighten.
Cut pieces of electrical tape and wrap around the outlet covering the screws- I do this to make none of the wires will ever hit inside the box (some are made of metal and some plastic) This is not required but I like to add safety!
Push outlet back in box, secure to box.
Replace the cover plate, secure
Turn back on power and test – WALA!!!
You crack me up! I love how easy you make it. I would still would be scared, but you make me think I can do it.
Wow.. would ya look at you?
I knew you were crafty, but I didn’t realize you were a regular “little-miss-fix-it”
You Go , Grandma…
xoxoxo
I am SO not a electricity girl. You rock! My hubby does all that work for me.
I love this!!! I am the office manager of an electrical contractor and I don’t have a clue how to do this!!!!
Well now you do Lisa! You should learn as much as you could from them. Electricians charge a lot!!
You go girl! I would have saved this for my hubby! LOL
I love women who aren’t afraid to try things like this.
I’m one of them too.
Yay You Sarah!!!! Do you have any DIY posts- link up with us on Tuesday!!
You are very handy!! I wouldn’t even DARE to do that LOL!
Try starting with something else- you’d be surprised what you’re capable of!!!!!!
Love it…. I do the same thing… who needs a guy….hahah… awesome post..:-)
If you have any DIY posts come by on Tuesdays and link up with us
Good job! There is no way my husband will let me do that! I would end up electrocuting myself, lol
You can do it!! As long as the electric is off, you have nothing to worry about- make him let you, you’ll feel wonderful!
That’s awesome, but electricity scares me, so I married an electrical engineer. LOL.
ok then you have it made!!! If he has any inside tips, I’d love them
My very first experience with changing an outlet – back in college…an OOOOLD apartment building. Socket wasn’t grounded. It was night so I didn’t turn off the power. ZAP! Haha! Definitely didn’t make that mistake twice.
OMG- lmao- I haven’t been zapped yet and I’m so afraid of it so I’m super careful. Did it hurt real bad? The one I did was an older house so the wires wern’t single- there was about 8 wires per screw- a little more difficult than dealing with 3 wires.
look at you being everywoman! i love the photo tutorial!
haha- thanks!! I’m a visual person so I figure pictures will help those like me
You make it look so easy!
Thanks Connie- it really is easy when there’s no power to it
Wish you would have posted this sooner! I had to wait over a year for hubby to fix my outlet!
Carmen- I do it all- next time check with me first. I am married to the real Mr. Tool Time
I love how easy you made that look! It really is easy though as long as you remember to be safe, LOL!
Thanks Tamara! Have you done this or do you do your own DIY?
This is great. I have a mega-handy husband, and I won’t lie: I knew he was a keeper when he unclogged my shower on our first date (no, that’s not a clever euphemism). I think they should cover around-the-house fixes like this in Home Ec in high school– right along with changing a tire and balancing a checkbook!
Handy husbands are great to have! It would be a great idea to teach that stuff in home Ec. We learned how to change a tire, oil, etc on the cars when we were young so we were prepared when we started driving
Hi. I wasn’t able to stop by last night from the Pitch List Hop so I thought I would stop in today. I love the header on your blog.
http://www.giveawayswithgrace.com
Holy smokes, Rachel! You’re really handy. Heck, you’re a lot handier than my husband and my father. The last time my father changed an outlet, he short-circuited the wiring in the entire house. lol This was great!
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment on my guest post over at Better in Bulk. I really appreciate that.