| Have you come to the conclusion that a room in | | | | to unscrew the wires with a flat head screw |
| your home, garage or patio is in need of an | | | | driver. When you are finished unscrewing all the |
| electric outlet update? This article will explain, in a | | | | wires, reinstall the new outlet by screwing the |
| few steps, how to replace an old outlet with a | | | | wires back onto the new hardware. |
| new one. | | | | Step 4 - Cleaning |
| Step 1 - Safety | | | | Finally, clean out the outlet hole with a shop vac. |
| Whenever you start a project, your first priority | | | | When the outlet hole is vacuumed out, then you |
| should always be your safety. When replacing an | | | | can neatly push the wires back into the hole. If |
| electrical outlet, always make sure the electricity | | | | some are damaged, this is the best time to do |
| is shut off in the area where you will be working. | | | | so. With electrical tape, wrap up any deteriorated |
| Test the outlet with a voltage tester. | | | | wires. If they are in worse connection, you may |
| Step 2 - Dismantle | | | | have to replace the wire. |
| Unscrew the top and bottom screws from the | | | | Step 5 - Finishing Up |
| outlet. Pull the outlet out of the wall by pulling on | | | | After the cleanup is done, you can begin putting |
| the tabs that the screws were in, otherwise | | | | the outlet and wires back into place inside the wall. |
| known as the "ears". Be careful to not touch any | | | | Take you wires, loosely fold them and push them |
| of the wires at this point. After the outlet wires | | | | into the wall. After they are inside, the new outlet |
| are exposed outside of the wall, test the wires | | | | should fit right in. if you wiring seems to be |
| with a voltage tester once more. | | | | stuffing up the space, try fitting them into the |
| Step 3 - Connections | | | | wall another way. Your outlet should not have |
| When you are completely sure that there is no | | | | anything pushing against it. When the new outlet |
| electricity running through the wired outlet, then | | | | fits snugly into the wall, screw it back into place. |
| you can begin removing the old outlet. Now, begin | | | | |