How to Replace an Outlet

Replacing the traditional 120-volt receptacle

Make sure you purchase the right outlet for this installation, if you are unsure of what to buy, please contact Mr. Electric of Dallas. Consider the GFCI-enabled outlets, especially for the outdoor areas alongside areas that are exposed to water. Exercise some cautions during the installation. 

The materials needed for this installation are; the new outlets (they must match the circuit amperage rating), wire cutters or strippers, non-contact voltage tester, needle-nose pliers, screwdrivers, and electrical tapes. 

Turn of the outlet’s main power, and remove the plate cover

Don’t rely on a switch when cutting power, rather, the breaker to the outlet must be tripped. make sure you use the voltage tester to confirm that power is off. With the aid of a screwdriver, simply remove the plate cover and then test all the wires for the presence of current. 

The next step is to remove the receptacle from the Wall box. You can do this by removing those mounting screws located on the receptacle straps, and then remove the receptacle from the wall box by simply pulling from the top to the bottom. 

Identify all wires and then verify that there is proper wiring

Depending on the home type and the age of the receptacle, the wiring may appear different. You may want to contact Mr. Electric of Dallas electrician if you are confused about the wiring structure. In most cases, the black wires are connected to the black-colored screws, the white is neutral wires connected to the silvered-colored screws, while the green or ground wire is connected to the green grounding screw of the receptacle.

Disconnect and reconnect the wires

Make sure you disconnect one wire at a time on your new outlet, this will help you avoid mixing the wires up. You may want to begin with the bare (copper green colored) insulated wire, before attaching the neutral white to the silver-colored screw terminals, and then attach the black-colored wire to the brass-colored screw terminals.

Are you still having outlet issues? Contact Mr. Electric of Dallas, right away!

The steps highlighted above seems to be straight forward, you may still find yourself struggling with some of these procedures. In order to replace your old outlets more efficiently, you need to seek the help of a professional electrician. At Mr. Electric of Dallas, we do conduct a thorough inspection of your electrical systems which include the outlets, panel, and other components, for the purpose of recommending the ideal upgrade that will suit your needs. Our electrical repair, replacement, and installation services are 100% reliable and guaranteed. We also assure you of budget-friendly prices on all our services. Give us a call today and we will be right there!