Web Hosting Talk : Other Forums : Web Hosting Lounge : Need help changing an electric outlet!

[Frosty]

Okay I'm a chick and have never replaced an electric outlet before. I know how to install light fixtures and how to connect the wiring e.t.c.... however I've never changed an electric outlet before and need help.

The electric outlet in my bathroom is messed up and needs to be changed but for the life of me I can't fiqure it out! I can't fiqure out how on earth to remove the wires from the actual outlet!

Do you guys see the picture in the first attachment? I'm trying to REMOVE that bad outlet but can't fiqure out how the wires come OUT! I of course took the screws out but the wires are STUCK in the actual outlet... am I supposed to yank them out really hard? They just don't want to come out???

And another thing I'm confused about is that do you see the second picture attachment? That is the new outlet I'm supopsed to put in but it only has 2 holes in it... my old outlet one has 4 holes and 4 wires so where on earth do I stick 4 wires if there are only 2 holes in the new outlet?

Man I need help

[fastnoc]

it's been a long time since I did this but i think those are just typical outlets that you poke the wires in but it looks like the new one uses wired that wrap around a screw.

First off, you SHOULD NOT use that plug. You are installing this in a bathroom, and the electrical code requires you to use GFI outlets (ground fault interrupt). They have a reset button on them i think all the time.

I'd look for some slots you can stiuck something in that will release the wires on the existing outlet. barring that just clip the wires, strip the ends and attach them to the new outlet that you have.

Remember, do NOT install that outlet that you have.

You really should be calling your landlord. This is his job, not yours.

[xDesign365]

I think in the interests of your own personal safety you call an electrician into to do it for you. Tampering with sockets without knowledge of what you are doing is incredibly dangerous. I really hope you have the power off in your house also.

Oh and I thought you had to use special plugs in the bathrooms especially one like that which looks rather low down... and near a shower!

[Tina J]

Yeah, I was just about to post about using a GFI as well. Seriously, don't replace it with a standard outlet - USE A GFI!!! You can get one at Home Depot or Lowes for around $20 and its definitely worth it.

If the old wires won't come out, snip them with wire snippers and strip off the end so you can connect it to the new outlet. Make sure you have the power shut down to that line first!

--Tina (chick who also does home improvement stuff!)

[Barti1987]

1) You should shut the electricity current off

2) Have someone around just incase

3) There are 5 wires going out (2 White, 2 Black and 1 Ground).

Just as with the old one, the white ones go to the left (facing you) and the two black ones to the right. (Top -> Bottom).

The grounding goes in the bottom, there should be a place for it.

When you open the electricity insure you are not the bathroom (in case of an explosion).

Peace,

[bear]

There are 4 wires because this outlet also powers something else, maybe a light or a second outlet. The white carries the power, and then passes it through to the next device, and the black is the return line, offering the loop back to the breaker panel.

Attach to the posts, making a short loop in the same direction that the screw tightens so it doesn't get looser as you tighten the screw. The two whites on one side, the two blacks on the other. Power off at the circuit panel while working on it, and have someone else turn it on while you're looking at it when you're done, so it can be switched back off quickly if there's a problem.

Agreed with using a GFCI. Very important in a wet environment like bathrooms and kitchens. It can save your life.

[MGCJerry]

Heres what you do...

If you are not comfortable with playing with wiring while hot, like everyone else said, turn the circuit off. If you're still not comfortable, call an electrician to do it. Shouldnt take more than 3 minutes.

Anyway...

1. Remove plate
2. Carefully pull out recepticle. (whether its hot or not)
3. That is what we call "backstabbing idiots" when they stab the wires into the recepticle.

Now, you have 3 options for removing the wires...
For all backstabs, you dont have to remove the screws, those do not hold the wires on backstabbed recepticles.
A. Cut the wires with wirecutters, and restrip them.
B. Insert a toothpick, or other similar item into a slot near where the wires are going in. This will release the wire so it can be pulled out.
C. Grab the wires, and twist and pull... It'll come out eventually.
D. If you cut the wires, strip the wire. There is a strip guage on the recepticle.

4. When removing the wires... Think of this, the hot wire (black) is the first to break, last to make.
5. Remove the hot (black) wires from the recepticle
6. Remove the neutral (white) wires from the recepticle
7. Remove the ground wire.
8. Discard old recepticle, and grab the new one.
9. Reconnect the ground wire
10. Reconnect the neutral (white) wires.
* You can either do the backstab thing like the original, or bend the wire around the screw terminals. **
11. Reconnect the hot (black) wires.
12. Secure the recepticle to the box with the supplied screws.
13. Reinstall cover, making sure not to overtigten the screw.
14. Reapply power (if you turned off the circut), and check for power.

BTW... Yes, this can be safely done with the power ON, I do it all the time.

If this was a GFI recepticle, you would have to make sure you connect the wires the same way by looking at which pair is the "line" and "load". Improperly connecting these will result in a non working plug, and everything behind the GFI. If it is wired properly and by the looks of it, there is probably another GFI above in the circut, or there is a GFI breaker installed.

How do you check if the circuit is GFI protected?
Touch the neutral (white) wires and ground (green or bare) wires from the "line" side of the circuit together. If the circuit doesnt shut off, its not GFI protected and should be corrected by installing a GFI or consulting an electrician.

This is pretty much a walkthrough on how it can be done. Remember, electricity is dangerous, and if you are not comfortable with this, call an electrician.

[Frosty]

Thanks for the responses and instructions.

First, I don't have a landlord I own the house. I've done similar things before when installing light fixtures on ceilings and connecting the wires where I had to first strip the wires e.t.c. Everybody told me to call an electrican but I did it myself and it was so easy. I don't have $150 to throw out the window for such simple 5 minute jobs I can do myself.

Of course I'll turn the main power supply to the house off... then there's nothing to worry about. My house have 2 bathrooms... neither bathroom has a GFI outlet. But I guess I could get one for the bathroom where I'm changing this outlet. I have my hair dryer in this bathroom and it's the bathroom where I dry my hair every morning. I do nothing else in this bathroom.

I'm going to go back to Home Depot and get a CFI outlet that has 4 holes in it so I can clearly see where all 4 wires are supposed to go (this outlet with only 2 holes is confusiing)... and give it a shot.... I'll report back... if I don't get electrocuted and blown to pieces that is

P.S- Once a long time ago when I was adjusting an outlet that was sticking out too far I accidentally got electricuted because I thought the main power to the hosue had been turned off but wasn't and I was messing around with the wires. This was a really long time ago and in another house... it hurt but I lived. zzzzzzz....zap!!!

Worst case senerio I end up looking like these models... look it's in style!

http://duplexdude.typepad.com/photos.../modelhair.jpg

[bear]

heh, always check the power is off. When we moved in here there were two wall plates covering bare wires in the bathroom where some fixtures had been removed. I was about to cut them, but decided I'd check...they were live, and just stuffed into the box...could've been exciting.

[Frosty]

Ok wait a second. I was just reading online that:

"Whenever you turn the circuit breaker off or on, use only one hand and look away from the breaker to reduce the risk of injury should the breaker blow".

Are they referring to an explosion? Ummmm hold your horses... so something can explode? Or are they referring to just a little spark here and there. I think I'll be wearing eye protecting thanks very much =)

[fastnoc]

You'll be fine. it's just precautionary. They say use one hand because using two creates a circuit that goes right through your heart in the off chance you get shocked. But unless the breakers are REALLY old and corroded you'll be fine. Don't turn the whole house off though just the breaker for that room.

[TopHostSupport]

Changing plugs/GFI are easy. Just follow the layout above and even if the power wasn't off the shock is just a little. I do all my electrical work at my house and others as my father has been an electrician for over 30 years, it's easy.

One thing to keep in mind though, if you use (which you should) a GFI in the bathroom, make sure the ground light on the front of it is illuminated after you're done. If it's not then you have a ground issue which should be looked at immediately.

[Frosty]

Okay I must be dumb because I STILL cannot get the wires out of the old outlet in order to remove it! I know I can just cut the wires and then restrip them but I wonder why I cannot just remove them? I stuck a tiny wire into the holes in order to release the wires but they do not release? They are REALLY jammed in there... no matter how hard you twist and pull they don't come out.

Also, I'm going to home depot to buy a 4 holed CFI outlet to put in... but when looking at the back of the new outlet... for the life of me I still cannot fiqure out how to stick the wires into the backside of the outlet? I mean I see the holes where the wire is supposed to go... but it doesn't fit into the hole. I can't push in that metal thing that's inside the hole so how on earth do I get the wire into that hole?

Is this happening to me because I'm a chick and a blonde... I have too many things working against me!

Seriously... do you see the hole has this metal thing inside it... you can't push it in... so how to I get the wire into the hole securely? Just keep pushing the wire in and twisting it and then I guess the wire end spreads out and locks into place maybe?

[TopHostSupport]

Old Plug:

You'll need a very very small screwdriver to push in to the release hole and at the same time needle nose pliers pulling on the wire. There is a release notch in the hole, just keep pushing the screwdriver in it until you feel a click.

New Plug/GFI:

Some of new plugs are made for the newest gauge wire and the old gauge wire is bigger so the push tab/lock won't work. You will need to use the old method, wrapping the wire around the screws and tightening them.

[Frosty]

I'm back and I fiqured it out! It was super easy

The reason why I was having a problem removing the wires earlier was because I was trying to insert a tiny pin into the actual hole where the wire was in order to release the wire. I didn't even realize or see the tiny hole underneath the wires which is what I was suposed to be pushing to release the wires. Oops!

So I was able to succesfully release the old wires. Then I installed the new oultet. But when I was at home depot the guys there told me that I didn't need to install a CFI outlet and that the one I had before would be safe and just fine in my bathroom. So I installed the same kind of outlet as I had there before. Did I do the wrong thing? The regular outlet was cheaper and the only reason I installed the regular kind was because I asked two different home depot employees and they both told me it would be just find and isn't necessary to install a CFI there.

Plus, if you look at my image attachment... my hair dryer already has a built in CFI outlet so I should be just fine. I tested it out and everything is working fine. Glad I did it myself... I saved over $150 dollars plus at least I know how to do it now

When I live in a house I care about and plan to stay for a long time I'll have CFI outlets in the bathroom...

I also fiqured out why I couldn't fiqure out where to stick the wires in the other outlet... because in that outlet you have to wrap it around the screws and you cannot put it through the backend. No wonder I didn't know how to put the wires in the back. So I got another outlet where you could put the wires into the back and it had 4 holes for the wires. So now I'm back in business.... thanks for the help.