How To Replace An Electrical Outlet

When to Replace an Outlet

The most common reason outlets need to be replaced is because of physical damage. Rarely will a standard outlet fail electrically (line and neutral present at the terminals, but not at the plug). If an outlet is cracked or a plug is loose fitting, it is time for it to be replaced. When replacing an outlet, consider replacing the cover unless it looks new or cleans up nicely.

Sometimes the plastic is broken just below the ground pin opening. This usually happens when a plug is yanked out improperly from the outlet. As long as the plug fits snugly into the outlet, and there is no other damage, the outlet should not need to be replaced.

Find Outlets

No Power at GFCI or AFCI Outlet

WARNING - voltage may be present at a standard or GFCI outlet terminal inside the electrical box, but not present at the plug end. A known good tester may indicate no voltage at the plug end of an outlet, but there could be voltage present at the terminals of the outlet inside the electrical box. There also could be a loose live line wire behind the outlet inside the electrical box that is no longer connected to the outlet terminals. It is dangerous to remove an outlet with live voltage present inside the electrical box.

When a tester shows voltage is present on an outlet at the plug end, it is easy to tell when power is shut off at the outlet when shutting off the circuit breaker (voltage is no longer present at the plug end of the outlet). It is difficult to determine which circuit breaker supplies voltage to an outlet that has no voltage at the plug end. Unless it is known which circuit breaker supplies power to a certain outlet, all of the circuit breakers may need to be turned off before the outlet is removed.

Types of Outlet Terminals

There are three types of terminals on the back of outlets and switches.

A. Screw type terminals. The stripped wires that connect to this type are formed into a “C” shape, mounted under a terminal screw in the clockwise direction, then tightened. Sometimes the wires are wrapped completely around the terminals of the old outlet and are difficult to remove. When the wires are removed, they are cut as close as possible to the terminals. The insulation is then stripped from these wires about ¾ of an inch, formed into a “C” shape, then attached to the outlet and tightened.

B. Slide-in terminals (common on GFCIs). The terminal screw is loosened, a stripped wire is inserted into the slot, and then tightened.

C. Push-in terminals. A stripped wire is inserted into the terminal hole and is held in place by tension inside the hole. Wires can be removed by inserting a 3/32” screwdriver into the slot next to the terminal, or by grasping the wire, pulling and twisting at the same time. The wires can also be cut close to the terminal.

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