How To Replace An Old Electrical Outlet- Switched Wall Plug Replacement
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- Опубликовано: 23 ноя 2018
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Learn how to quickly replace an old electrical outlet. In this video we show you the method for replacing both a switched and a normal electrical wall plug receptacle.
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#Howto #outlet #DIY 
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Can't thank you enough. I need to replace some outlets and have done it before but our 60 year old house flummoxed me with the thick wires it has. So happy to have found such a well presented tutorial on how to do this.
Man oh man! As a single mom that doesn’t want to pay an electrician for simpler things like this, I really appreciate the detailed video sir! 😊
1. 14 gage wire should have a 15 amp breaker. 12 gage a 20 amp.
2. Upside down outlets indicate a switched outlet.
3. Should have tested both outlets as switched could be on separate circuits.
4. Recommend disconnecting ground last and connecting ground first.
5. Prefer using side screws since more secure but back stabbing is okay.
6. Prefer taping hot screws just in case, especially in gang box applications.
wow that's good to know! I would't know how to check if one outlet was on a switch and different circuit because one of the outlets is actually broken off. I suppose holding the meter up to the outlet anyway and hearing if it beeps? Or I can look to see if that tab is broken off?
If you don't want to use a pigtail or your wires are too short you should use a spec grade receptacle where you can clamp down on a straight wire by tightening the screws. This makes a durable connection unlike backstabbing on the residential grade receptacles.
This helped the duck out of me. Only needed the first couple of minutes to tell me the neutrals and etc. he explained it perfectly!! Something to help me with for the future.
Thanks so much for the words of encouragement. So glad we were able to help. Thanks so much for watching!
Well, between defusing a damn bomb and having my outlet work correctly you definitely came through and savef the day. I appreciate the informative information. Throughout all 20 outlets in my house, this was the only one with a switch wire which I was stomped. Thank you for all tour hardwork and knowledge.
Thank You For taking your time to demonstrate. Because of people like you we all learn !
What a great teacher and wealth of information. You can tell he speaks from many years of experience. Great video Scott. Thanks!
Just want to say thanks for the encouragement. We love making these videos and really hope we are able to help those who watch. Blessings!
@@ScottsGarage RUclips is going to take down your video because you used the backstab holes and that will burn down your house.
Just what I needed to sort out my confusion! Great video! Thank you!
perfect. this is exactly the video I was looking for. I have one of those old outlets, and I could not figure out how to get the damn wires out until I watched this video
This has helped me so much! I went to Ace Hardware, Home Depot and Platt Electrical to find a new half hot outlet because my top plug goes to a light switch. I have two red and two black with two neutral wires and none of them could explain how to do this. They told me to wrap both red on the top and the two black on the bottom and then screw the two neutral on the other side and it should work. Well ... that didn't work. While I do have power ... the light switch does not turn off my lights. Needless to say ... by watching your video I was able to fix that issue. Thank you so much for your help! You're the best!
Scott - this is so helpful, and informative! appreciated the background info and tips. thank you very much!
So glad we were able to help. It can be a confusing process. Thanks a ton for watching!
Thank you SO much. The level of detail is amazing. Very informative; I thought I understood until I saw this.
So great to hear we were able to help. Thanks so much for the encouragement and Thanks so much for watching!
Thank you so much for the excellent explanation on how to connect an outlet with a switch. You saved me today. Best video out there on this repair.
Thanks so much for your encouragement. So glad we were able to help you out. Thanks a ton for watching!
In your case, you have sufficient length to use dykes and just cut the wires. Don't even mess with trying to get the wires out of slots or screws, especially since you're cleaning up the splices anyway. Also, dykes are great for cutting those tabs. Prying the tab back and forth can loosen the receptacle, especially on the cheaper ones. If you don't have kids, you don't need to worry about tamper plugs. When I was a kid, they didn't have them. I learned after the second or third time not to stick keys in there. I also learned after the second time not to take the bulb out of my nightlight socket and stick my finger in it while it's plugged in. It's not likely to be lethal, but it will give you a jolt you won't soon forget.
Awesome video! Ty. That red wire on mine threw me for a loop
I have watched several videos on this topic and they always failed to educate us on the wires (hot v neutral) Thank you for taking time to show all of the steps and how to do it right.
Thanks so much for the encouragement. Glad we were able to help. My father is an electrician and has practiced for over 30 years. He's definitely helped us on more than one occasion figure out our electrical needs. Thanks for watching!
It's been years since I changed one but thanks a lot for the very informative details. Just got it changed out and working 100%
So glad we were able to help a bit. Thanks a ton for watching!
@@ScottsGarage one other question. I had a gfci that wasn't working but all the other outlets around and light were working properly. I replaced the gfci and it still doesn't work. Know what could be the problem?
Thank you So much it is helpful I am getting my outlet replaced on July 22 this is for My uncle 😀 thanks for the Tip
Great news. So glad we were able to help make your job a little easier. Thanks for watching
Thank you fine sir. I learned something today. Appreciate the education.
Thank you!
You just saved me an unneeded trip to the hardware store. Thank you so much.
You are very welcome. Hope the install went well for you. Thanks so much for watching.
Very helpful video sir appreciated a lot
Not telling what wires are what. Just , this wire in here this wire in here? 👎🏻
I didn't know how to get the old outlet off, also I'd made sure to check the new outlet matched the old outlet, 15A, 125V. Thank you! My wires are different than yours and there is an extra wire coming from the white which I'm thinking is neutral but odd that the previous outlet had a neutral screw but they didn't attach that to the old outlet...
Thanks!!
Thanks a millón your video was great and I was able to fix it.
You are very welcome. Glad we were able to help. Thanks for watching!
Of course I went to change out my first standard outlet after watching some videos and something looked wrong. Yes, it was connected to a switch! Ok, thanks for this video and we will rethink this process.
Great video. In my case all I have is two white and two black wires and the ground. No red. So should I put the two black in the gold screw side and the two white ones in the silver (ground on green screw)?
thanks Pro very nice and clear.
So glad we could help. My father is definitely knowledgable and it was a joy to film the process. Thanks for watching.
Almost called an electrician because I thought these things were impossible to do without a professional BUT I just replaced an outlet with your video! Thanks so much!!!
How did you know out of 5 wires which one is the ground wire??
@@tonyarobison845 Mine only had 3, 1 hot wire, 1 neutral, and 1 ground, so it was easier for me to identify. My outlet had the ground wire at the bottom corner and the other wires were attached to the back.
Thanks so much for the encouragement. Grateful we are able to help DIY folks like you save some cash and do things themselves. Thanks a ton for watching!
@@tonyarobison845 The ground wire is the one that is bare and doesn’t have any wrapping around it. Usually denoted by a green screw
Hi great video. Thank you. I have question. @0737 why did you take off the metal piece on the new receptacles?
Thanks
OMG!!!! Thank you so much for posting this video. Very helpful
So glad we could help. Thanks so much for watching.
@@ScottsGarage How do you connect when u take the plate off the wall & its only 2 wires sticking out?
Ok so here's a question for you not sure if electrician Doug's the wiring or the old home owner did the wiring. When I took off the cover to a light switch and a second switch / outlet, so as I'm looking at the wiring they have a black wire going to the light switch and they added a white wire as a neutral to the switch/ outlet then there's 2 black wires running to the switch /outlet. They then pigtailed the 2 neutral wires and attached both wires to the outlet.
I have a levition 5225 switch outlet to replace this but I see one copper. And a neutral on one side then 2 black screws for the other side. I'm lost whether or not this was done properly and if so maybe explain to me about the 2 black screws on the new outlet please
in my area it was code to install the outlets with the ground on top in the late 80's...this way if something came down on the plug it hit the ground wire first..they changed it back in the early 90's to allowing them to be done with the ground on the bottom. Currently by code you still cant insert the wires into the holes on the back. you have to attach the wires under the screws....and they do check
Why are the holes there then? I just watched an electrician using the holes too.
nice video.
Hope we were able to make your job easier. Thanks for watching!
What do you do with the red wire if the outlet you’re switching no longer needs to be controlled by the switch?
Is it the same way with 3 way switch? I have 2 switches that control one outlet.
Hi. I’m piggybacking off of an outlet that has red, black and white and adding an outlet above it for a wall mounted tv. Can I run the black and white off of the existing outlet and ignore the red wire?
In the old outlet the 2 white neutrals wires were connected in the same screw, but in the new outlet you put both neutral wires separately, could you explain what is the diffence?
Hello I have three black and three beige wires no red does it still connect the same?
Would you be able to tell me how to replace one that is really old it is used with a switch by the door to turn on a light ? It's got 2 red 2 white and a blue wire. I don't know where to put the blue wire . I searched and searched and can't find a solution. Thank you very much
Sr I was just about to put my house on fire 🔥 thank you for your help
Hey Scott! My old outlet has three black 12 gauge wires and three white 12 gauge wires plugged into the outlet using the 12gauge holes on the back side of the outlet. The new outlet has only two holes and it will only accept a 14 or 16 gauge wire. All the new outlets I've seen at the hardware store have only 14 or 16 gauge holes on them. How would you go about wiring up an outlet in this situation? Thank you greatly!
Use wire nuts to join the three white wires and the three black wires along with a fourth jumper/pigtail. So all white wires are joined together and all black wires are joined together. Connect the jumpers to the receptacle.
@@njsongwriter Thanks a million!
Scott question for you, does it matter whether you put the hot wire on the bottom and the switched hot wire on top or vice-versa? Or will it be fine either way? Thank you!
Fine either way on a single pole switch.
On connects the two wires and off breaks the connection.
It’s fine to do whichever one you want
Thank you, Sir. I was having trouble with the switch wire.
How do you know which ones are the ground wire . I haven't yet tried to change my outlet . Just asking to get an I idea of what it looks . The red and black and white ones you can see but it wasn't that clear with the ground wire .
The ground wire will be bare. It will look gold and have no plastic insulation.
It could also be labeled in green
The ground wire is the pink wire
Felt like my grandpa was teaching me. Thanks!
Yep, I'm incredibly grateful to have my dad around to help me with his years of experience and knowledge. So glad he was able to help you as well. Thanks a ton for watching.
Are the wire cutters on the outlet itself not reliable? This is only the second video I’ve watched but neither have used the wire stripper that is on the outlet? Is it not sufficient?
Aleasha, not many people know about that, and not all receptacles have that option, good question. They are not great, always better to use wire strippers.
what happens please if i take the old outlet out and there is not ground coming out of the box..only 2 wires white and black , how can i make it grounded the new outlet..can someone tell me please
Can you strip the wire and not bend it into a U hook and just stick it on the side of the screw and tighten it down??
No, but you can get a spec grade receptacle and they have a clamping method so j hooks are not needed.
Why does one outlet get screwed up by another one in an adjacent bedroom???
Scotts Garage - what do I do if there is only 2 wires? I connected it- but - it didnt work....
please help asap :(
Need more specific details. What color are the wires, what color are the screws that they are connecting to?
Hi, what happens if you don't break those little metal things linking the holes? The fuse will short-circuit?? If so, why are they linked with that little metal? ***EDIT** I see, it's to eliminate hooking up another wire, one connection will feed the other one.
So if I have a red wire AND a black one it is optional to break the tab?
@@tin.1 The red and black wire coming off the wall should never be on the same side of the receptacle. If you have 2 red and 2 black wires coming off the wall and you hook all 4 of them, YES, break the metal tab, or leave the tab and only hook up ONE red and ONE black wire to the receptacle. I noticed that in my apartment the outlets in the kitchen have 4 wires, but not the ones in the livingroom and bedrooms. I think it's because they expect heavy-duty appliances to be connected such as a microwave or a toaster.
Does it matter what side you break the tab on to keep one of them Hot?
The hot side
@@surferdude642 Thank you very much! So at the end run can I remove the clip on the Hot side and still have that plug shut off with the switch and still have half of it stay hot?
@@Paco-hh4jd As long as the switch leg (hot wire) coming from the switch is connected to the receptacle to be switched and the other hot wire coming from the source (live all the time) also connected to other screw on the switch, is connected to the other receptacle. Neutral wires connected to neutral side of duplex receptacle. Then yes, that should do it. It doesn't matter which wire goes to which screw on the switch.
Does it matter if you feed the wires into the hole vs wrap around the screws for the black and white wires? Old outlet had wires in holes, but I hooked/wrapped around new outlets screws... should I undo?
Yes it does matter, electricians recommend to never use the back stab holes, as it is a weak connection and can cause overheating over time. Make sure you wrap the wire in clockwise direction otherwise the wire loop will want to open up when you tighten the sc rews. Then when tightened firmly wrap the sides of the receptacle with electrical tape covering the screws to prevent shorting. This is how the professionals do it. BTW, the black wire is the hot wire and the white one is the neutral wire.
@@surferdude642 In this case, there are two black and one red wire…since there are only two screw terminals, one wire will be required to be back stabbed?
@@ibrawring9525 No. Assuming the red wire is switch leg connect that one to the screw of the receptacle that you want to be switched. Next you add a pigtail to the other 2 wires making a 3 wire connection with a wire nut, a push in connector, or a Wago lever nut. The pigtail connects to the other brass (hot) screw.
@@surferdude642 Thank you - guess I need to head to Home Depot and pick up a few items. I currently have the second black wire backstabbed in the meantime (other black plus red wire are connected to the screw). Will fix the backstab to a pigtail since it appears to be a no-no.
If you want to be extra safe you may wrap electrical tape around the body of the receptacle to cover the terminal screws, you’ll sure get a blessing from any electrician who may work on it later.
Good tip. Thanks so much for sharing and for watching!
Always use the screws.
How much does an outlet replacement typically cost?
A new receptacle and cover like this is less than $10.
@@xethlorien4736 actually, how much would you charge a customer to replace an outlet like this (parts & labor)?
The receptacle is not upside down bu preference. It's installed upside down to let you know that, half of that receptacle is controlled by a switch, and the other half is always hot.
Maybe it's that way in your home but not in ours.
Ah hell naw a federal pacific panel I would be running.
Why
Um Scott- I can't help it with the outlet to daddy's basement
Tf
Top outlet reads 9 Volts. Bottom 120. Fan works. What's going on here?
I counted at least 5 wires.... How do know which one is the ground wire?? I'm a old lady... Lol🧓🤔💗
Black is the hot wire. White is the Neutral wire. Ground is the copper wire without the insulation
The other wires are probably feeding off of that outlet and going to power your other outlets
No rhyme or reason where the hot wires go????
I can’t see
If the 20 amp breaker turned off this circuit, and the conductors are #14 awg, then the breaker should be changed to a 15 amp.
Electrical work should always be done with safety in mind.
I thought an upside down outlet tells you they're switched
100 reply
My receptacle doesn’t have a tab for screwdriver to go in. There is only one tiny hole where wire goes. What should I do
Cut the wire as close to the receptacle as possible and re strip. Then use screws.
or you can remove the wire by twisting back and forth until the wire wiggles out.
who the hell put the ground on the top?
Sir; with all do respect that's not a 20 Amp receptacle. It's a 15 Amp receptacle. The 20 Amp receptacle has a T on one side. So be sure to make that correction before you mislead people 😢
Never backstab a receptacle unless you want your house to burn down. Ground hole up for safety.
Ground hole up for safety?
@@hxd9321 the old outlet was upside down because it was a half hot or switched outlet.