old outlet to new outlet
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Changing Out an Old Outlet

So, this is one of those not so pretty posts, but I promise it is Oh So Handy! Learn how to easily change out an old outlet.

tutorial for updating an old outlet

Changing Out an Old (UGLY) Outlet

Our home was built in 1978 and most of our outlets are almond colored and many are so worn that they won’t hold a plug anymore. I used to get annoyed EVERY TIME I vacuumed downstairs and turned the corner only to have the vacuum plug slip from the outlet. Not only is this frustrating, but it is also a fire hazard. Old outlets should be replaced for safety reasons (but, hey, I’m okay if you just want to change them to a pretty white outlet.). Changing Out an Old Outlet is easy!

old outlet to new outlet

I distinctly remember my father showing me how to wire an outlet when I was about eight years old. I didn’t remember exactly what he taught me, but I do remember the feeling that – yes, I can do this myself! Being the father of three girls, Dad taught us all the things he would have taught a son. This is a picture of my Dad, my sisters and me teaching him all we knew about bows, barrettes and bobby pins.

Changing Out an Old (UGLY) Outlet

I know several of you would never think of taking apart your outlet. You might say electricity scares you. Well, that is a good thing! A healthy fear of electricity will make you more cautious, so don’t lose that fear. It is a good thing to double and triple check your safety when working with electricity. Now, are you ready to update your outlets? Changing Out an Old Outlet is a relatively easy task to do. And, I promise I will show you step-by-step instructions.

I highly recommend performing outlet replacements during daylight hours (or have a lamp that you can plug into an extension cord from another room.) Also, don’t let your little ones watch you, we don’t want them to stick a screwdriver in the outlet when you aren’t looking. Therefore, it is best to handle this fix during nap times.

Materials needed:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Changing Out an Old (UGLY) Outlet

* It is safest to work with tools that have rubber or plastic handles that won’t conduct electricity.

Changing Out an Old (UGLY) Outlet

Optional tools:

  • vacuum to clean out the receptacle box (there will be dirt and dust in there and this may be the only opportunity you will have to clean it!)
  • cushion to sit on
  • power drill with screwdriver bits to speed up the process

Required Safety Instruction:

Turn off the power to the outlet you are working on. I highly recommend putting a night light or light in the outlet and turn it on. Then shut off the circuit at your circuit breaker and check to see that the light has gone out.

Also note that just because two outlets are in the same room, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are on the same circuit. Plus, it is possible for the top and bottom of one outlet to be on separate circuits. Always check both the top and bottom of an outlet before you work on it.

Instructions:

Okay, let’s begin. Take a deep breath and realize that if an 8 yr. old can do it, so can you!

1. First, turn off your power, double check both outlets with your light to make sure the power is out to both top and bottom outlets.

2. Then take out your voltage tester. Insert a probe into each of the top two holes.  If the tester lights up, you need to back up and turn off the power to the outlet! If it doesn’t light up, then check the bottom outlet as well. Still no light? Perfect, the power is off to your outlet.

Changing Out an Old (UGLY) Outlet

3. If you haven’t done so already, remove the face plate from your outlet by unscrewing the middle screw.

4. Unscrew the two mounting screws as shown below.

Changing Out an Old (UGLY) Outlet

5. Gently pull the outlet out of the receptacle box. Inspect the outlet and see if you have the same amp replacement outlet. (Usually there are marking denoting 15A 125V or 20A 120V on the silver tabs, on the back or near the screw hole in the middle of the outlet.)

6. Note which wires are attached to the outlet and where. Then make a drawing if you need to of their position. Or work by transferring one wire at a time.

Changing Out an Old (UGLY) Outlet

7. If the wires are wrapped around screws (lucky you), unscrew your wires and skip to step 10.  If your wires are poked into holes in the back of the outlet, you may choose to try to release them by poking a flat head screwdriver into the slot next to the wire, or you will need to cut the wires as close to the outlet as possible.

Changing Out an Old (UGLY) Outlet

8. Now strip about 1/4 inch of the insulation from the end of your wire.Then gently use your wire strippers to clamp down on the wire being sure it is scoring the insulation. If you need to, rotate your wire strippers 90 degrees and cut through the insulation again. then while the strippers are still around the wire, pull gently towards the end of the wire to remove the cut insulation.

Changing Out an Old (UGLY) Outlet

9. Next take your needle nosed pliers and grasp the end of your wire and twist the end to make a shepherds hook shape. Do this for all your remaining wires.

Changing Out an Old (UGLY) Outlet

10. Looking at the back of your new outlet, you will see that one side has silver screws and/or markings on the back that says white wire. The other side of the outlet should have gold screws and/or markings indicating hot wires (the black wires). And one screw towards the bottom that is green, this screw is for your bare or ground wire.

Changing Out an Old (UGLY) Outlet

11. Hook each of your wires around the appropriate screw (Gold Screws = Black wires;  Silver screws = White wires;  Green screw = bare or green wire).

Changing Out an Old (UGLY) Outlet

12. Further, using your needle nosed pliers, pinch your wires tightly around the screws attempting to close the loop.

Changing Out an Old (UGLY) Outlet

13. After that tighten each screw being sure that the wire stays tightly wrapped around the screw.

 

Changing Out an Old (UGLY) Outlet

14. If all your wires have been screwed tightly onto the outlet you can gently push your outlet back into the receptacle box. Try to rock the outlet in by alternately pushing on the top and then the bottom. If your outlet doesn’t go in, pull it out and rearrange the wires so they fold neatly behind the outlet and try again.

Changing Out an Old (UGLY) Outlet

15. Screw in the mounting screws.

16.  Finally, replace the faceplate.

 

Changing Out an Old (UGLY) Outlet

Now you can turn the power back on and use a nightlight or lamp to make sure your outlet works!

Hey, you are done! Congratulations, you did it. Reach up and pat yourself on the back because I’m proud of you! Now that you know Changing Out an Old Outlet is easy as can be, I have a next level swap for you! You can use the same tutorial to install a USB Charging outlet!

Let me know how you did. Changing Out an Old Outlet was easy, wasn’t it?!

194 replies
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  1. Betty
    Betty says:

    i have a house now with very few of the wall outlets looking like yours (the three-pronged “face” ones). most are the two-pronged ones with one prong larger than the other, but i also (it’s a 1959 house) have some of the two-pronged ones that are the same size (the old-old type). replacing these, particularly the old-old ones, has now surfaced up on the to-do list. is this something i can try to tackle if i have your instructions and have done that particular replacement that’s in your instructions? i have not ever tried to replace a two-pronged outlet with a “face” outlet, however. or is this better left to an electrician? i’m just looking for your opinion. if you say i shouldn’t, i won’t, otherwise i will look into it further. thanks.

    Reply
  2. Danica
    Danica says:

    This is my problem exactly. I live in a 70 year old apartment bldg and the ‘electrician’ that replaced an old fuse box for a more modern style one, looked at that plug outlet and left it alone because he didn’t have a junction box. I am terrified of electricity, having once been zapped as a teen and thrown across the room….and have lived to tell about it, lol !! Can I install the junction box myself and if so, how difficult is it to do? I found you on Pinterest and have added you everywhere. Love it, that you’re dad too, taught you the ‘manly’ tasks. Great, Great web site and teachings.

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey
      Brittany Bailey says:

      Danica, yes, please install a junction box for your outlet and wiring to be installed inside. This will contain any sparks or shorts and will ultimately protect from a house fire. Installing a junction ox isn’t too hard, although you will need to purchase an old work box that has wings that will hold the box against the drywall. You can see part of the process here, Matt just left off inserting the box into the wall and turning the screws until the box is tightly secured. https://prettyhandygirl.com/2013/09/diy-cable-installation.html

      Reply
  3. LRussell
    LRussell says:

    Brittany – Thank you for posting this. Also, I have to commend you on how patient and gracious you are with all of us readers. In your article you mention how to release the wires with a flat head screwdriver – then when many people post that information, you graciously say thank you – instead of most that would type back in all capitals that you posted that in the article. ha ha.

    Reply
  4. LakeLady777
    LakeLady777 says:

    Have been waiting 25 yrs for my electrician husband to fix the one in the master bedroom that looks like the one in your picture … actually, the one in your picture looks sturdier. With your easy to follow instructions, I can finally do it myself. Bless you!

    Reply
  5. Steph
    Steph says:

    It’s even easier to strip the wires and then simply push the wires into the holes in the back of the receptacle… It takes a lot less time to do then hooking pinching and screwing them with the screws on the side , it also looks more professional and you get a better connection.

    Reply
    • AliRza
      AliRza says:

      Back punching is a fire hazard. I had an electrician tell me to never back punch or use modular home recepricals. I wish I could post a pic of the scorched outlet that he replaced from a back punched installation. Saving time is not worth the risk. Pros don’t back punch.

      Reply
  6. Kathy
    Kathy says:

    I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this but you skipped the final step. Wrap the sides of the base of the outlet with electrical tape making sure to cover the screws & Wires. This will prevent the outlet from shorting out on you. It is standard practice in Chicago

    Reply
  7. Julie D
    Julie D says:

    Hello;

    I have an outlet in my dining room that decided to just go dead on me one day. I checked it with a meter and there’s no power at all. There is no switch that controls that outlet nor is there an outlet in the kitchen that has been tripped. I turned off the circuit breaker and upon pulling the plug away from the wall I noticed there are only 4 wires. All of which are black and there is no ground? S.O.S.

    Thank you in advance.

    Julie

    Reply
  8. Kelly
    Kelly says:

    THANK YOU!!!! I’m a single woman and a homeowner.I had an electrician come to my home for a quote to install a dedicated circuit, and was going to have my outlets replaced,at a cost of $299 for 15 outlets. The electrician was FLAKY,had to contact them for my estimate when I didn’t receive it after 3 days,and the list goes on. I’m actually EXCITED now to have the outlets changed,because it will be cheaper,more convenient for me, and most important, I’ll have a sense of accomplishment/satisfaction from doing it. Thanks again, and I’ve bookmarked your site. So thankful/happy to have found it,and your dad ROCKS! Very smart man!

    Reply
  9. dani
    dani says:

    DANGER!!!!
    By all means girls should know how to change a tire/tyre, use powertools etc (I taught woodshop in the US & my Dad taught me how to change a plug as a child too), but I am a bit concerned that this is encouraging something very dangerous. I changed plugs before when I was young and stupid, but there is no way I would do it anymore or encourage others, especially if I couldn’t supervise or be sure of their ability level.

    I know the voltage/current varies in different countries, but in many countries (including where I live) it is now illegal to install a power point yourself because it could be fatal if handled incorrectly. People living in flats where someone else might suddenly turn on the power or people with different types of plugs might be in danger of electrocution or fire at a later point.

    At the very least I think your instructions should suggest that their be someone else on ‘speaker’ phone who lives close by. If the person on the other end doesn’t talk them out of it, at least they will be listening so if anything goes wrong they can alert medics in case of emergency and can come and supervise any potentially traumatised children before they endanger themselves too. All it takes is for the bulb/connections in the lamp you THOUGHT you turned off to be temporarily faulty and the wire would actually be live.

    Reply
  10. Brittany Bailey
    Brittany Bailey says:

    Dani, I’m not sure what countries you are talking about. But, if the reader follows instructions, changing an outlet will not kill them. Especially if their home is grounded. I respectfully disagree with your fear-inducing comment.

    Reply
  11. JB
    JB says:

    Your instructions don’t mention anything about installing a ground. People need to research proper codes for their area. Changing a 2 prong outlet to a 3 prong without a ground can be dangerous. When in doubt consult an experienced licensed electrician. According to the 2014 NEC 406.4 (2)a you can install a GFCI outlet in the place of a 2 prong outlet when there is no ground. Just have to label the outlet “No equipment ground.” A GFCI electrical receptacle will protect against a hot to neutral short or a hot to ground short at the receptacle but its internal test circuit cannot be used.

    Reply
  12. Brittany Bailey
    Brittany Bailey says:

    JB, I don’t mention installing a new ground wire because this tutorial is for replacing an old outlet that has a ground wire with a new outlet in the same box and using the existing ground wire. People looking for a tutorial for installing a three prong outlet in a box without a ground will need to Google another tutorial.

    Reply
  13. D.L.
    D.L. says:

    Hi AliRza, In response to ‘dani’ cautioning those who may wish to change out their powerpoint, you said ‘Women can do anything you or daddy can’ and ‘What century are you from?’ I assume that is because you wanted to stand up for women and assumed dani was talking from a sexist, stereotyped and possibly traditional chauvinistic perspective.

    Well, I am dani and I am Mum of two who taught woodshop in the US and The UK and I have also designed and made a lightfittings myself. My husband isn’t the ‘handyman’ in our house, I am. So who is doing the sterotyping?

    After I wrote my response above in 2013, I spoke to professional electricians in Australia and they confirmed that it is illegal and dangerous to rewire powerpoints here. It is not a matter of being sexist or having a mindset from another century. It’s just a fact that the voltage is much higher in some countries outside the USA which is why I have had to buy a transformer (on top of an adapter) for electrical goods I bought in the States as the voltage in Australia is too strong for them.

    I draw your attention to James Bergman and Danica’s experiences of electrical shocks above & I stand behind my original comment that those in SOME COUNTRIES OUTSIDE the U.S.A. need to be aware of the voltage differences as these directions will not be safe for everyone to follow.

    If you are ‘not sure which countries’ have electrical voltages different to those in your country, don’t assume I am wrong and inducing fear for the sake of it. As a teacher in a field where females are under-represented, I can assure you I am in the business of encouraging women to break through gender barriers as well as actively being a role model, but I also want them to survive to tell the tale.

    Reply
  14. D.L.
    D.L. says:

    Hi AliRza, In response to ‘dani’ cautioning those who may wish to change out their powerpoint, you said ‘Women can do anything you or daddy can’ and ‘What century are you from?’ I assume that is because you wanted to stand up for women and assumed dani was talking from a sexist, stereotyped and possibly traditional chauvinistic perspective.

    Well, I am dani and I am Mum of two who taught woodshop in the US and The UK and I have also designed and made a lightfittings myself. My husband isn’t the ‘handyman’ in our house, I am. So who is doing the sterotyping?

    After I wrote my response above in 2013, I spoke to professional electricians in Australia and they confirmed that it is illegal and dangerous to rewire powerpoints here. It is not a matter of being sexist or having a mindset from another century. It’s just a fact that the voltage is much higher in some countries outside the USA which is why I have had to buy a transformer (on top of an adapter) for electrical goods I bought in the States as the voltage in Australia is too strong for them.

    I draw your attention to James Bergman and Danica’s experiences of electrical shocks above & I stand behind my original comment that those in SOME COUNTRIES OUTSIDE the U.S.A. need to be aware of the voltage differences as these directions will not be safe for everyone to follow.

    If you are ‘not sure which countries’ have electrical voltages different to those in your country, don’t assume I am wrong and inducing fear for the sake of it. As a teacher in a field where females are under-represented, I can assure you I am in the business of encouraging women to break through gender barriers as well as actively being a role model, but I also want them to survive to tell the tale.

    Reply
  15. D.L.
    D.L. says:

    AliRza, In response to ‘dani’ cautioning those who may wish to change out their power point, you said ‘Women can do anything you or daddy can’ and ‘What century are you from?’ I assume that is because you wanted to stand up for women and assumed dani was talking from a sexist, stereotyped and possibly traditional chauvinistic perspective.

    Well, I am dani and I am Mum of two who taught woodshop in the US and The UK and I have also designed and made a light-fitting myself (I didn’t install it). My husband isn’t the ‘handyman’ in our house, I am. So who is doing the stereotyping?

    After I wrote my response above in 2013, I spoke to professional electricians in Australia and they confirmed that it is illegal and dangerous to rewire power points here. It is not a matter of being sexist or having a mindset from another century. It’s just a fact that the voltage is much higher in some countries outside the USA which is why I have had to buy a transformer (on top of an adapter) for electrical goods I bought in the States as the voltage in Australia is too strong for them.

    Brittany, I draw your attention to James Bergman, Melisssa M and Danica’s experiences of electrical shocks described above which indicate that even your fellow country’men’ will need to be very careful. I stand behind my original comment that those in SOME COUNTRIES OUTSIDE the U.S.A. need to be aware of the voltage differences as these directions will not be safe for everyone to follow.

    If you are ‘not sure which countries’ have electrical voltages different to those in your country, don’t assume I am wrong and inducing fear for the sake of it. Having been a teacher in a field where females are under-represented, I can assure you I am in the business of encouraging women to break through gender barriers, but I also want them to survive to tell the tale.

    Reply
  16. AliRza
    AliRza says:

    Meh. Seems obvious this tutorial is for U.S outlets but if you’d like a disclaimer, sure. It isn’t a how to run a circuit. It’s a replace old with new exactly as you see it. Whether the u.s. or not you have a responsibility to find specific information for your region. I still don’t see why girls are a higher risk factor but I’d say it’s a generational difference. If this scares you get a professional not a speaker phone.

    Reply

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