I have an electric wall socket that seems to have a problem. When I plugged a heater into that socket the plug and cord got warm. The plug seems to be loose. Of course, I am no longer using that socket, but how hard would it be for the fairly ignorant to replace the socket. Could I buy a new outlet, turn off the breaker, attach the new outlet? Would I need to solder? What kinds of tools would be needed? I wouldn't need a permit, would I?
I just finished fixing a toilet and am feeling like I could tackle it, but i have never done such a thing before...
2007-02-20 04:50:58 · 10 answers · asked by Cindy B 5 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
You only usually need a screwdriver.
Plug something like a lamp into that outlet, so that you can see that you've shut off the correct breaker. Remove the cover plate and the old outlet will have white wire(s) and black wire(s) and perhaps a single bare wire for ground. You need to buy an outlet rated the same as the breaker - it will be 15 or 20 amps. Replace the wires in the same configuration that you removed them including the direction the wire curls under the screw head. Black wires go under the darker brass colored screws, white ones under the silver ones. Snug the screws and carefully fold the wiring back into the box in the same manner as when you stretched it out. Mind that the bare ground wire doesn't wedge itself alongside the outlet where the wire attaching screws are. Replace the cover plate and test your work with the lamp.
For about $7 you can get an outlet tester that will have a set of lights to confirm you have the correct wiring and ground. They also sell books that cover these basic wiring steps if you find a pictoral guide to be more comforting. Home Depot, Lowes and others will have these.
2007-02-20 05:03:52 · answer #1 · answered by KirksWorld 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
First of all, heater cords draw a lot of power and tend to get warm.
Second, is the socket, (called a duplex), loose or is the whole box it fits in loose? When you buy the new duplex take into consideration whether it is a simple duplex or a "ground fault" duplex. If it is a ground fault, it will have a little reset button on the front of it. When replacing the duplex, turn off the breaker, making sure that you have the correct one. Unscrew the old one from the box, making sure that you note which wires go where. There should be three wires. A black one attached to the dark brass screw, a white one attached to the silver screw, and a green OR plain copper wire attached to a green screw. Simply unhook them and reattach the same wires to the same screw on the new duplex. Sometimes the box has more wires because it is "feeding" another duplex or two. If this is the case....you might want to get professional help or at least the help of a neighbor or friend who is comfortable with electricity. There are web sites you can search out that will give good instructions and diagrams. You can also find books that will help. IF you are unsure of yourself...don't do it by yourself the first time. Have someone teach you. It is not worth burning down your home!!
2007-02-20 05:07:31 · answer #2 · answered by toothacres 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
plug a radio into the outlet and turn it up loud enough to hear from the fuse box/panel. Turn off breakers until the radio stops. A plug is simple to replace, a straight screwdriver to remove the wall plate and a phillips for the outlet and the screws holding the wires. Note where the wires go before you remove them from the old one. Draw a picture, tape them, do them one at a time. Generally black wires go to the gold screws and the white wires go to the silver. The bare copper wire with no insulation is the ground and goes to the green terminal. If applicable. Just make sure the power is off.
The heater cord getting warm is caused by an insufficient supply of power to the heater. The heater is drawing more amperage than the outlet can provide.
2007-02-20 18:31:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have noticed on some of the recepticals sold by Home Depot & Lowes, that the terminals are all the same color. The only way to tell the line from the neutral is the plate they screw into. And even then they are not different. It seems to me, China products get a NEC sticker when they are not entitled. To be sure to keep the polarity straight, remember that the neutral screws are on the same side as the green ground screw, and are the long slot in the receptical.
One other type of receptical has not been mentioned and that is the ones with the push in slots in the back . I strongly urge you NOT to use these slots. I almost burned my house down because I accidently put the wire in the hole instead of the slot. When a load was applied, I smelt burning bakalite. Feeling all of my recepticals I found the culprit. It took several days for that smell to go away!
2007-02-20 13:42:47 · answer #4 · answered by billy brite 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When a plug gets warm while the appliance is in use it can indicate a problem with the appliance. Heater plugs/cords do tend to get warm, but very warm plugs are suspect. Test the heater at another plug. If it gets very warm the heater may be wearing out.
The link below has instructions with drawings to help you replace the outlet. Outlets that hold plugs loosely should be replaced.
2007-02-20 05:43:19 · answer #5 · answered by mindshift 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is ease to do but a loose socket shouldn't make the cord warm. Maybe just pull off the cover and tighten the plug (two screws one on top and one on bottom) But if you feel you want to replace it just turn power off have a flash light handy and unscrew the old on should have two screws on each side loosen them pull the wires off and the wires will be black and white. The new plug will tell you on the back where to put the wires. just be sure there tight and that there isn't any exposed wire hanging off the plug. all you should need is assorted screw drivers and maybe wire cutters/strippers. O maybe a flashlight.
2007-02-20 05:04:56 · answer #6 · answered by troy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its actually pretty easy to replace an electrical outlet, you don't need a permit. It takes about 5 minutes maximum to change out an electrical outlet. The bare copper wire connects to the green screw. The black wire connects to the copper colored screw and the white wire connects to the silver screw. If all else fails disconnect one wire at a time from the old outlet and install one at a time on the new outlet.
NOTE: Turn the power off to the outlet first before attempting to replace the outlet.
2007-02-20 14:59:08 · answer #7 · answered by Bill S 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It appears like some thing in the comparable circuit is pulling potential for the time of a definite outlet that has undesirable connections. Odds are that the opening that the scent is coming from desires to get replaced. for my section, i could advise shutting that distinctive circuit down till you will get a qualified electrician available to troubleshoot the undertaking on internet site. this will not be a DIY undertaking.
2016-12-17 14:40:22 · answer #8 · answered by bornhoft 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't need a permit. In most cases the process is very simple and requires little money and tools. I don't know what your exact situation is, so I hesitate to give any definite instructions. But I'm sure this is going to be simple. Go to your local hardware store, and I'm sure that there will an employee to give you step by step instructions.
2007-02-20 05:03:31 · answer #9 · answered by marksman11011 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
most important to hook the wires were they belong an shut power off take notice of howw the old one is hooked up and you can do it shut off main breaker no sweat screw driver needle nose pliers an electric tape possiblty razor knife too
2007-02-20 05:11:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋