Replacing an Electrical outlet

Replacing an electrical outlet is an easy undertaking with a basic understanding of how residential electricity works.

In a basic residential wiring circuit, a black (hot) wire comes out of a breaker in the electiric panel and runs to the outlet.

A white wire (neutral) runs from the elecrical outlet back to the ground bar in the electric panel.

There is also an uninsulated wire - just copper with no plastic insulation - that runs from the green screw on the frame of the outlet back to the same grounding bar in the electric panel.

These three wires run together in a larger plastic sleeve. This sleeve can be one of several colors but the most common colors for a basic residential outlet is white or yellow

Electricity leaves the panel through the black wire runs to the outlet. When an appliance or light is plugged into the outlet, the electricity leaves the outlet via the prong of the plug which corresponds with the black wire. It then travels through the appliance or light. When the appliance or light is turned on, the electricity travels through it and returns to the outlet to the prong which corresponds to the white wire and back to the electric panel. Pretty basic.

Sometimes electric outlets wear out due to frequent plugging and unplugging of appliances. Sometimes they burn out due to plugging in an appliance that draws more amps than the outlet is designed to handle. Either will require the outlet to be changed.

BEFORE CHANGING ANY OUTLET DETERMINE WHAT BREAKER IN THE ELECTRIC PANEL SUPPLIES POWER TO THAT OUTLET AND TURN THAT BREAKER OFF. TEST IT WITH AN INEXPENSIVE TEST LIGHT TO ASSURE THE FLOW OF POWER HAS BEEN INTERRUPTED!!!



Rather than explain how to change an outlet, I've included yet another video which is sure to keep your attenton span from expiring. :)