Replacing a socket outlet
Replacing an electrical outlet is an electrical job around the house that anyone can do. The outlet is where you plug in an appliance. Over time, an outlet can fail and cause power surges and outages.
Pay attention to the safety measures
Even though replacing an outlet is relatively easy, that doesn’t mean it’s any less dangerous. You’re working with electricity, and any wrong move can result in a serious electric shock. Therefore, locate the circuit breaker for the house. These are usually located in the basement or laundry room if it’s a one-story home. The breakers are often labelled, and you only need to turn off the breaker for the part of the house where you are working. In addition, tape a visible note on the front that says you are working on the outlet. If the switch panel is not labelled, plug a lamp into the outlet and turn it on. Turn off the switch in the box until the lamp goes out. Call 01622807881 !
Removing the socket
The inside of the wall is easy to reach. Go to the outlet you want to replace and remove the screws with a screwdriver. The faceplate should come off the wall easily. The outlet is secured to the wall with two screws. Remove them, and the outlet can be pulled out of the wall to expose the wires. Attach the ground strap to your wrist and the other end to the metal inside of the wall. This will give you extra protection whether or not there is a ground wire in the outlet or if the power is back on.
The tape directs the current away from your body and back to the outlet. If the outlet is hanging out of the wall, use the voltage tester on each terminal to check that no current is flowing. Place a piece of tape around each cord and mark where it goes. This will make replacement much easier. Use the screwdriver to loosen the terminals and remove the wires.
Replace the socket
Once the old outlet is removed, it’s easy to plug in the new one. Loosen the terminal screws on the new outlet, and then place the wires on the terminals using the tape and tighten. Insert the outlet into the wall and reinstall the screws. Remove the grounding tape and reinstall the cover plate. Now you can turn the power back on and test the new outlet.
If you need to replace or repair your damaged electrical outlet, make us a call. The Emergency Electrician in Maidstone is 24 hours a day available. After your call, our Customer Service sends immediately a professional electrician to solve the problem. To sum up, never hesitate to make us a call.
We also collaborate with: Emergency Electrician in Birmingham, Emergency Services 24H, Emergency Electrician in Warrington, Emergency Electrician in Liverpool and Drain Services 24.