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Before you begin, you will need to buy two items:
(1) A multi meter which is a tester that is used to check and see if there is any electrical current running throughout the electrical wires. You can usually find them for $10 plus tax.
(2) You will also need a new outlet which should only cost you $0.50.
Hopefully you already have a common set of screwdrivers. If not, you will incur additional costs since you will need them as well.
Now that you have the necessary tools for the project, in seven easy steps you will have your electrical outlet fixed!
First, turn the power off. This is extremely important! Electricity is not a toy, nor is it something that you want to play around with, so make sure to be extremely careful. Before you start any electrical project, you must always turn the power off. In order to do this you must go over to the fuse box and figure out which circuit you will be working on, then either remove the fuse or switch the circuit breaker off.
Secondly, test your tester. You need to make sure that your multi meter is working properly. Make sure that there is a battery in the multi meter. Now, find another battery that you can use in order to test your tester. Set the unit to the appropriate battery size, and touch the negative probe to the negative end of your battery and the positive probe to the positive end of the battery. The needle on your multi meter should move. Now that you are sure that the multi meter works, change the setting on the multi meter to AC current, or DC current, depending upon which current is used in the country wherein you reside.
Your third step is to test the outlet. This is the step wherein you make sure that the electrical power is truly off. This must be done before you actually start the repair. Before doing this double check to make sure that your multi meter is on and set to the correct voltage. Insert the tester’s probes into the outlet. The needle should not move. However, if the needle does move, it simply means that you probably did not turn off the correct circuit. If this happens then go back to the circuit box and try another breaker. Whatever you do, do not continue with this repair if you are uncertain as to whether or not there is still an electrical current running through the outlet. When in doubt you should always call an electrician!
Your fourth step is to remove the old outlet. In order to do this you will need to use a screwdriver to remove the screw which is in the middle of the outlet plate, then carefully remove the plate. Now unscrew the two screws which are holding the outlet and pull the old outlet away from the wall.
You are now ready for the fifth step which is to change the wires. Take a look at the back of the outlet. There you will find either three or five wires. One of the wires wraps around a screw. This is called the ground wire. The other wires stick straight into holes on the back of the outlet. They can be disconnected by inserting a screwdriver into the slot next to each wire and then pulling the wire out. Make sure that you only disconnect one wire at a time from the old outlet or you will have a big mess. You also need to be certain to plug the wire into the same location on the new outlet. This will help to keep you from getting the wires mixed up.
You are now at the final step in this process! Your seventh and final step is to replace the outlet. In order to do this you must first push the outlet back into the hole in the wall and replace the two screws which hold it in place. Then screw the cover plate back into place.
You can now safely turn the power back on. So, go over and flip the circuit breaker back to the on position, or replace the fuse. It is now time to check your work by plugging something into your new outlet and turning it on. Congratulations, it should now work!
There are a few warning which you must keep in mind whenever you are working with electricity. Remember that electricity is very dangerous! It can seriously injure or even kill you. So, you must always be very careful whenever you are working with electricity. If you have any doubts whatsoever about your ability to safely perform this or any other electrical repair, then do not do it! Spend the money and call an electrician who is trained and certified to do this work!
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