Note the color of the screws and the color of the wires. Remove the three attached wires, which are held in place with Phillips screws. When the screws are removed, the outlet will hang freely-the only things holding it are the attached wires. The outlet is typically held in place by two screws at the top and two at the bottom. Remove the old outlet from the outlet box using a Phillips screwdriver. You’ll probably need a helper to hold a flashlight for you now, since the overhead light might also be off. Remove the outlet cover with a flat screwdriver. If the nightlight does not go off, you’ve got the wrong breaker-try again. A good way to ensure that the power is off is to plug a nightlight into the outlet and turn it on, then shut off the breaker. Shut off the power to the outlet by turning off the circuit breaker (at the breaker panel) that provides electricity to the outlet. Some communities prohibit homeowners from doing their own wiring, so check with your local building authority before you start. You should understand how outlets are wired and how electrical current travels from the breaker panel through each electrical circuit (wiring loop) in your home. Replacing an existing outlet at the end of a circuit (as explained above) is not particularly difficult, but the task requires some experience. An electrician will charge an additional $50 to $100 dollars per hour to replace outlets. An outlet with five attached wires is located in the middle of an electric circuit, and the wiring process is more complicated-only a licensed electrician should replace those outlets.Ī GFCI outlet runs about $15, such as this Levitron GFCI Outlet (available from Home Depot). Outlets with three attached wires (remove the outlet plate to determine the number of attached wires) indicate that the outlet is located at the end of an electrical circuit (a wiring loop that starts and finishes at the breaker panel). The other caveat is that only outlets connected to three wires are suitable for DIY replacement. Outlets with only two slots and no third hole indicate the presence of older wiring that should only be replaced by a licensed electrician. Photo: Can I install GFCIs myself?Ī DIYer with basic knowledge of electrical wiring may be able to replace an existing outlet with a GFCI outlet (instructions below), but only when swapping out a three-prong outlet-two plugin slots and a hole. still do not have GFCIs installed in “wet” rooms, and notes that as many as 47 percent of today’s electrocutions could be prevented in older homes if GFCIs were installed. The ESFI estimates that approximately 43 million homes in the U.S. In bedrooms, living rooms, and other areas where water fixtures are not found, regular outlets are fine-and they are still installed in today’s new homes. They should also be installed within six feet of a wet bar and in garages and unfinished basements. In laundry rooms and utility rooms, GFCIs should be installed on outlets within six feet of sinks, washing machines, and water heaters. GFCIs are also required on all receptacles serving kitchen countertops. The NEC requires GFCIs on all exterior and bathroom receptacles (another term for outlets). Older homes are not required to have GFCI outlets unless the wiring is being updated, but it’s a good idea to install them anyway. The National Electric Code (NEC) requires the installation of GFCI outlets in new construction in areas where electrical outlets are in close proximity to water. The rules requiring the installation of the GFCI outlets in new construction has expanded over the years to include more applicable locations: A standard household outlet features two, three-prong plug-in slots, while a GFCI outlet features the same plug-in configuration plus two buttons on its face: a “TEST” button and a “RESET” button. The singular purpose of a GFCI outlet is to prevent electrical injury to humans, something regular outlets are not equipped to do. Because water is an excellent conductor of electricity, the risk of a ground fault occurring is greater in areas of your home where water is commonly used, such as near a kitchen sink. If that different conductor is a human being, the result can be a serious electrical shock or electrocution. It occurs when the electrical current escapes the insulated wires, as a result of a damaged cord or faulty wiring, and flows through a different conductor. A ground fault is the occurrence of electricity taking an unintended path to the ground.
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