To replace one, plug in a lamp to help you find the right circuit breaker.
Leave off that circuit breaker and unscrew the outlet.
Undo the wire nuts after you take a picture of how they’re connected, if there’s more than three wires in the wall. This is in case you forget how it was wired.
Examine the outlet to see how it failed.
Take it with you to the Big Box DIY store and buy a new one with grounded plugs, and matching Amps, 15 or 20.
Most new outlets have push-in connections, not screw connections, but you should be aware of what you’re buying.
Buy new wire nuts, electrical tape, and if needed, shims or additional screws or a new cover plate.
Making sure the breaker is still off and put it back together. Wire nuts are “righty tighty” threaded. Tape the wirenuts, starting with a small adhesion area & pull the tape tight, as you roll it to the right, two rounds.
Push it all into the wall cavity, put the cardboard washers on the outlet screws and screw it in nice & square. Put on the cover plate. Look at it, is it square? Is the plate aligning with the plug or is one offset from the other, depthwise? If so, shim as required.
If you’re adding one, this may be more than you’re willing or able to do. It would be time to hire an electrician, IMO.
If there is no power where you want to install the outlet you’ll need to run it to the location. If you’re not comfortable doing so then hiring an electrician would be a good move. Either way you’ll have to cut an opening in the wall. Mark it out by either taking the measurements from the electrical box and marking it with a pencil and a straightedge (ruler). Or you can just hold the box on the wall and tracing around it. Make sure to buy a box made for finished walls. Once the power is there you just put it through the hole in the box and mount it to the wall. It is held in place by 4 little tabs that rotate into place when you tighten the screws. It is a little hard to explain how it works here but you’ll understand better when you see it. Connect the power to the outlet and screw it to the box. You’ll see that the outlet has 3 different color screws: gold, silver, and green. Connect the black wire to the gold screw, the white wire to the silver screw, and the copper wire without plastic insulation on it to the green screw. You’ll notice that there are 2 gold screws and 2 silver screws. It doesn’t matter which one you use. The reason for there being 2 of each is for if you are using a ‘switched circuit (controlled by a switch that turns a light on and off). Now you put your wall plate on. You will find that the electrician has most likely installed a new breaker in the fuse box. You’ll need to flip the switch towards off, then on. I would suggest having another person st the new outlet in case there is an issue.
How to cut electrical plastic wall plates? My kitchen backsplash and switch plates are to close. Need to cut the edge off bottom. Have tried box cutter, scissors. ...
See more
I have a home built in 2006, the main panel does not seem to have a main breaker...? See attached pic of the main panel. It's a Siemens G3040 200 amp panel. Outs...
See more
Are you replacing one or adding one?
To replace one, plug in a lamp to help you find the right circuit breaker.
Leave off that circuit breaker and unscrew the outlet.
Undo the wire nuts after you take a picture of how they’re connected, if there’s more than three wires in the wall. This is in case you forget how it was wired.
Examine the outlet to see how it failed.
Take it with you to the Big Box DIY store and buy a new one with grounded plugs, and matching Amps, 15 or 20.
Most new outlets have push-in connections, not screw connections, but you should be aware of what you’re buying.
Buy new wire nuts, electrical tape, and if needed, shims or additional screws or a new cover plate.
Making sure the breaker is still off and put it back together. Wire nuts are “righty tighty” threaded. Tape the wirenuts, starting with a small adhesion area & pull the tape tight, as you roll it to the right, two rounds.
Push it all into the wall cavity, put the cardboard washers on the outlet screws and screw it in nice & square. Put on the cover plate. Look at it, is it square? Is the plate aligning with the plug or is one offset from the other, depthwise? If so, shim as required.
If you’re adding one, this may be more than you’re willing or able to do. It would be time to hire an electrician, IMO.
If there is no power where you want to install the outlet you’ll need to run it to the location. If you’re not comfortable doing so then hiring an electrician would be a good move. Either way you’ll have to cut an opening in the wall. Mark it out by either taking the measurements from the electrical box and marking it with a pencil and a straightedge (ruler). Or you can just hold the box on the wall and tracing around it. Make sure to buy a box made for finished walls. Once the power is there you just put it through the hole in the box and mount it to the wall. It is held in place by 4 little tabs that rotate into place when you tighten the screws. It is a little hard to explain how it works here but you’ll understand better when you see it. Connect the power to the outlet and screw it to the box. You’ll see that the outlet has 3 different color screws: gold, silver, and green. Connect the black wire to the gold screw, the white wire to the silver screw, and the copper wire without plastic insulation on it to the green screw. You’ll notice that there are 2 gold screws and 2 silver screws. It doesn’t matter which one you use. The reason for there being 2 of each is for if you are using a ‘switched circuit (controlled by a switch that turns a light on and off). Now you put your wall plate on. You will find that the electrician has most likely installed a new breaker in the fuse box. You’ll need to flip the switch towards off, then on. I would suggest having another person st the new outlet in case there is an issue.
Do you mean outlet in a wall or a plug on something.
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/repair/electric/how-to-wire-an-outlet-important-tips-7245416
How to Wire an Outlet (Important Tips)