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This new receptacle has both terminal screws (sides) and wire slots (back).
If necessary, strip the last 1/4 inch of insulation from the end of the wires.
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They are all around us. Also known as outlets and wall plugs, electrical receptacles are convenient resources for tapping into the power of electricity. They are relatively simple in operation, so there is little to go wrong. However, when you've tested and replaced everything else except the electrical receptacle, it's time to give it a quick check. Luckily, it's a relatively easy task.
An electrical receptacle or outlet is a socket into which the wiring for portable lamps, appliances, and other electrical devices can be plugged. It provides the connection between the building's electrical circuit and the corded appliance or other device that requires electricity to operate. Receptacles in older homes have two holes, hot and neutral, while newer homes add a third hole for a grounding connection for safety.
Test an electrical receptacle:
- Turn off power to the circuit and verify that it actually is off before continuing.
- Insert one probe of a continuity tester into each slot of the receptacle. If the tester glows, the receptacle is working. Test both plugs of a duplex (two-plug) receptacle.
- If the receptacle fails the test, remove the cover plate, disconnect the screws holding the receptacle in the box, and pull the receptacle out.
- Restore power at the electrical service box. Carefully touch one probe of the continuity tester to a brass screw terminal and the other to a silver-colored terminal. The tester light will glow if power is coming to the receptacle.
- If the receptacle fails the test, check power across the hot and neutral (not the bare ground) wire coming into the wall box. If the tester glows, power is coming to the wires, but not through the receptacle. Replace the receptacle (see below).
Replace an electrical receptacle:
- Shut off power to the box at the electrical service panel and confirm that the circuit is off using a circuit tester.
- Remove the cover plate and unscrew the mounting screws. Without touching wires or terminals, pull out the receptacle.
- Hold a new and identical receptacle near the old one to see how the wires should be installed on the replacement. Some use terminal screws on the side while others have slots on the back for inserting bare wires. Many replacement receptacles have both.
- Unscrew the terminals and carefully pull away the wires. Make sure the wire ends are clean and free from insulation. If needed, use a wire stripper to remove insulation from the last 1/4 inch of the wire.
- Attach each wire to the new receptacle in the same way it was attached to the old receptacle. The white wire typically is connected to a silver terminal and the black or color wire is connected to a brass terminal. Use electrical tape as needed to cover all terminals and bare wires.
- Gently push the outlet into the box. Tighten the mounting screws, and check that the receptacle is straight.
- Replace the cover plate, restore power, and test with a receptacle analyzer.
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