How to Change Out a Receptacle - The Right Way!

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Let’s face it, not everyone is an electrical contractor, nor do they live the exotic life of an electrician! While some of us find many of the tasks we do rather mundane (since we have performed them countless times), others may not know how to do them. In today’s episode of Electrician U, Dustin explains how to properly change a receptacle and the tools required to tackle this task.

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Before we actually get to the steps of HOW to change a receptacle, lets discuss a few necessary items first. When performing ANY electrical work, make sure the power is OFF. Unless you have been PROPERLY TRAINED in working something live AND the situation dictates that the power be ON, turn it OFF. There are 3 basic pieces that are a must for this. First is a plug tester. Simply plug the tester into the receptacle. If it lights up, then the circuit is on. A plug tester has 3 lights on it and depending on which ones are lit up, it will also tell you if it is correctly wired or mis wired. There is a legend on the top of it explaining the different light sequence. To verify power is off simply leave it plugged into receptacle and turn OFF breakers until the lights on the tester go OFF. The second type of tester is a NCV (non-contact voltage) tester or in terms of the trade, a Tic Tracer. While it lights up (some of them also have an audible function) when voltage is present, one must be careful as it won’t tell you WHAT voltage is present (120 vs 240), just that something is energized. Use it in the same way as the plug tester; turn off breakers until the light goes off. Finally, a multi meter (there are many, many types available) should be used to verify the absence of voltage. Turn the meter to the appropriate voltage setting and insert the leads into the slots of the receptacle. Always test hot to neutral and hot to ground.
Now, once the power is OFF, the change out can commence. Remove the plate, remove the screws holding the receptacle to the box, and pull the receptacle/wires out of the box. You should have a green/bare wire on the green grounding screw, a white wire on the silver screw, and either a black/red (or perhaps a blue if you have 3 phase power available) on the brass-colored screw. Loosen the screw on the hot wire first (the brass-colored screw), followed by the neutral (the silver screw) followed by the ground wire (the green screw). Using a pair of needle nose pliers, remove the wires from the screws and discard the old receptacle. You can now install the new receptacle.
To install the new receptacle, simply repeat the above steps (in reverse). A couple of items to note, however. Once you place the looped wires on the receptacle, make sure to use the needle nose pliers to close the loop of wire around the screw. Make sure the open end of the wire is on the right side of the screw, so it won’t unwind as you tighten the screw. It is also prudent to tighten the unused screws so there is no chance of them coming into contact with the box. If the box is metal, most electricians wrap electrical tape around the device itself, covering the screws, so the next person to work on the device won’t hit the box with the exposed screws. Once all the wires are back on the screws and tightened, simply screw the receptacle back into the box making sure the ears of the receptacle are tight to the drywall. Use caution not to overtighten as this can cause issues getting the plate to seat against the device/wall properly. You may also use a level to make sure the plate is plumb. Once this is done, turn the breaker back ON and verify the device is working by using your meter or plug tester.
We hope this has been an insightful look into the proper way to replace a receptacle. Is there a topic you would like to see discussed on Electrician U? Leave a comment in the comments section and let us know. please continue to follow Dustin and Electrician U as we are constantly updating our content to assist our followers in becoming the best electricians that they can be.

#electrician #electrical #electricity #change #receptacle #right #way

[bassman]

Honestly its better that DIYers learn from actual professionals than other DIYers. Its kinda like the blind leading the blind.

[Awegner]

I don't understand the gatekeeping that some are adamant about. I'm an electrical engineer and I have learned so much from watching your videos. It makes it a lot easier for me to communicate with my electricians at work because I am getting more insight into what they actually do. You are a great teacher- thank you for educating the population and providing this resource for those in the trades.

[TRAjim]

One thing I like to do is write the breaker number on the inside of the cover plate.

[engrpiman]

As a home owner (not a electrician) I replace recepticals, run circuits and even replaced my electrical panel. The panel was permited and inspectied.

[BenRush]

I respect the fear of teaching DIYers, but there are some of us who watch your channel just to learn. We still call on electricians for work.

I have five Mike Holt books, have taken exams to check my knowledge, own the NEC, and in general have a pretty deep knowledge of this stuff given my education in EE and physics (plus I have designed circuit boards before for microelectronics). But, I still watch to learn code and see how an electrician does stuff, not to kill myself.

Point is, you're a good teacher and you are reaching non-certified electricians who just want to learn and not necessarily do.

[JCWren]

I think it would actually be desirable to have a set of DIYer videos done by someone that knows what they're doing. I see some out there with obvious code violations, like a guy using the screw on the cable clamp for his ground wire. Another valuable tip to DIYers would be how and why to replace backstabbed receptacles or switches with screw terminal or clamp plate connections, and what to do if you have daisy-chained outlets.

[SQTierHog]

So easy to learn from a kind (-thinking of people who may do work after him, taping the screws so they won't get shocked, etc.) person who has no arrogance in his voice, however is very confident and loves what he's doing. Win-win for us all!
Happy New Year, Electrician U! 🎉🏆

[qiweihuang]

This video helped me replace an old receptable, as a first time DIYer. Thank you so much!

[JS-nrte]

Only thing I would add is that I typically don't allow helpers on my jobs to use their drill for the exact reason you explained. They're so worried about being done so they can play on their phones that they won't take the time to check with a screw driver. Just impact it down and throw it into the wall without spacers or box extentions and then ask me why I'm doing their work over again. Lol. Your comment section is like my company shrink or something that I can't let all my gripes out from work 🙃

[BearStar]

There is nothing Wrong with a Homeowner that knows what they are doing, changing out a Receptacle in their own home as long as it's done safely and by the Code !

[frederickruderman]

Thank you, sir. I appreciate your kindness. Sometimes money becomes tight, and a generous man like you, may save someone’s life, like my own, you were right, I have no choice but to do this. And you’re a nice man to give me a chance to do it safely. I’m a dad of two young girls

[joepinelli]

Useful rhyme I heard from work for remembering where the hot goes in resi settings is “black on brass or it’s your a$$”

[johncspine]

I had an electrician associated with the “disaster recovery” company come out to do work, replace panels, new service, replace 1950’s wiring. Instead of bothering to call me, one day he bent a screen and tried to get in the house, setting off my alarm. Then he called me. After the job was done, or should I say, they stopped, I discovered a previously functional outlet receptacle (all were functional, if not grounded) deader than a door nail, in rewiring one thing he killed it and two of the fire damaged circuits weren’t repaired. Both him and the contractor simply ignored me until the Sheetrock, mud and paint guys (insurance only primed the ceilings and two inches of the top walls, meaning I’ll have to paint every room now) were done, then demanded payment. Insurance guy wouldn’t help as he’s several states away. Now I have to separately contract to diagnose, or probably just run a new wire as there aren’t enough outlets in there due to 1950’s construction and no built in overhead lights..I have lots of other stories, like how they gutted the place and disappeared for over two months, or how during demo they just sawed through the bottom of the rafters rather than stop at the proper depth..moral of the story..don’t have a fire, if you do, don’t use a disaster contractor, (maybe use their ppl that remove and clean your stuff, they seemed ok) and get references and a date of completion, and don’t expect help from your insurance. I’d love to replace my receptacle, too bad there’s no power running to it anymore..

[stanhry]

DYI repair may lead to a future electricians or other technician jobs . I work with automated laboratory equipment, knowing the basics is a big help.

[douglashelsel]

As always another great video!!! One thing I noticed that you didn't mention that might be important for the DIYer is to make sure when wiring anything in a metal box to make sure the box is grounded as well. In plastic boxes they will not see a box ground but if they do live in an older house that might have metal and plastic boxes mixed throughout someone might not know that a ground is needed to the box as well as the receptacle.

Just FYI for the DIY. 😉

[jeffrydiamond]

The socket tester is one of my favorites, as it also useful for testing UPS (uninterruptible power supplies) for IT.

[frederickruderman]

Thanks a lot, buddy that was a big help. Don’t worry about other electricians or your competition hating you because you taught a lay to do this. You helped me do a relatively minor things SAELY. I still need to pay others for bigger work. You helped mill😢today I believe. Have a nice day, God bless you.

[Learningtree]

Honestly, I have been watching you for a while now and taught me a lot about electrical work. And I have done most of my electrical work at home. Most of my testers are Klein. The good stuff. Everything is bonded. I enjoy doing electrical work over plumbing. I say all this to say thank you.

[kdeat]

Thanks for the DIY content! I've got a problem in my house that maybe others share. Our 170 year old house has "mostly" modern wiring, but I swear 75% of our outlet boxes are loose in the walls. I have NO idea why they couldn't secure the boxes better! I'm about to start a campaign to go through and inspect/fortify the boxes, and tighten up the receptacles and switches. Tips / Tricks about that sort of task would be awesome to see. Most of my wiring is romex into steel boxes. At least MOST of the knob & tube is gone.. except for those scary orphaned wires in the attic! :-/

[linbrat]

Thank you for keeping us DIYers safe! I have learned so much from you! I must admit that thanks to you, I will change a receptacle or a switch myself; I will call a pro for anything beyond that. But what I value the most is the knowledge I have gotten from you when I have to call a pro. The way they work, the care they take, and the shortcuts they try on female homeowners because they think we don't know. Thanks to you and your many excellent videos, I truly understand what a professional should look, sound, and behave like (Yes, I also judge them on how neat they wire everything). You are Truly a Master! Please keep the knowledge coming.