How do DIYers change out electrical outlets?

Question

I live in an older house and the outlet plugs no longer “hug” the prongs of my appliances. I’d like to replace the existing outlets with newer ones.

Ebbjdl · Answer

Don't do it yourself. This is a job for an electrician, wrong wiring, or something else, your asking for a fire.

Kathy Farnham Sampson · Answer

Good advice! If your wiring is old and you don't have a ground wire it can be dangerous.

Linda Santo · Answer

How old is the house? Do the existing plugs have the 3rd hole for the ground wire? If so, it's a simple matter to shut off the breaker and switch them out. But at the risk of sounding 'snarkey' if you have to ask you probably shouldn't do it yourself.

Janet · Answer

i know some people who tried this. They turned the power off first, I told them to make sure the wires didn't touch. I really don,t advise anyone to do this on their own if they haven,t done it before. You can short something out and have a fire in your wall. Be careful, it,s worth the cost to have it done.

William · Answer

You are here to learn how to do something. That is what this site is for. That is why there is so much out there on the internet, in libraries, in home centers.

More videos if you click on the link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfZAE1VQPEY

Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA · Answer

Here are some more links for you.

https://www.thespruce.com/electrical-project-costs-1152463

https://youtu.be/4Ilm-TNNJYo

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-ground-electrical-outle-108229

It is not hard, but be very careful. If you have any doubts, consult a local electrician. Everyone has a different definition of 'older' - when was your house built?

How do DIYers change out electrical outlets?

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How do DIYers change out electrical outlets?

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