Repair an electrical outlet
Do you have an outlet that has suddenly stopped working? Before you start messing with the switches and fuses of the switch, try to understand why it happened.
There are some simple do-it-yourself solutions that you can try before calling professional help. And we hope our article will help you get the most out of these solutions.
How to identify the problem to repair an electrical outlet
Do you have a light switch or socket that appears to be completely non-functional? We bet you have already checked the breaker box or fuses that have proven to be okay. And now you are close to calling a professional who can quickly help you in your electrical situation. There are many reputable power companies that provide high quality services to communities. So, you may want to contact experienced electricians and have the light switch or socket revived in the blink of an eye. But first, you may want to fix your dead socket and try to understand the underlying causes of the problem you are having.
First, check out your GFCI outlets. They are special sockets that have built-in circuit breaker protection. If something happens along the line such as a short circuit or overload, it will cause it to break, and all subsequent outlets will stop working. Sometimes, it’s as easy as pressing the button to reset the GFCI, and you’re good to go.
If you reset your GFCI only to find the problem persists, check your electrical panel to see if it’s a tripped breaker causing the problem. In case you find that one of the switch handles is not aligned with the rest, be sure to turn it back on. To do this, firmly push the switch to the off position and then turn it back on. So if it keeps stumbling, you’ll know you have a short in the tail. You can walk around and check all the sockets, lights, and switches for any loose connections and cables. But it will definitely be a great job. So, the wise thing to do is to seek professional help.
But what if there is nothing wrong with your electrical system? Will you be able to fix your annoying outlet yourself? Let’s find out!
How to fix a loose or recessed socket
Tightening a loose grip is commonly considered child’s play. With the repetitive plugging and unplugging of electronics, sockets can loosen over time. But before taking a screwdriver and starting to tighten the socket, make sure that the switch has turned off the electricity. Take advantage of a non-contact voltage detector, a useful tool in which you can confirm that the electricity for the socket that needs fixing is off.
Once the disconnector switch has been turned off, proceed to remove the cover plate. Use the flat head screwdriver to remove each screw that holds the cover plate fixed to the wall. After removing the plate, you will notice two brackets: one at the top and the other at the bottom. Head screws hold both brackets. Make sure both brackets are flush with the wall. If your grip is loose, chances are at least one is not. So, what you need to do is stiffen the culprit. Make sure both brackets are tight and flush with the wall. This should give you the additional stability you are looking for.
How to replace a socket
Do you need to replace your wall socket or socket? You can do it yourself by following a few simple tips.
First, turn off the power to the socket you intend to remove. Double-check the power with a voltage tester before you start doing anything with your outlet. Then unscrew the cover plate of the old socket and remove the mounting screws. Once the socket is open, untie the threads. Inside your wall socket, you will see three wires: a neutral, a ground connection and a live one. Remove the wall covers from the sockets. On the back you will see that each of the sockets have been marked.
Once the cables are firmly seated in the socket, push the socket back into place and fasten the retaining screws. Make sure that the wall socket firmly fixes to the wall and proceed with the application of the covers.
After reinserting the plug, turn on the power again. To replace or upgrade your wall outlet, this is all it needs.
Keep in mind that if you feel uncomfortable doing any type of electrical repair, don’t hesitate to contact a qualified electrician who can pinpoint the electrical problem and help you fix it in a timely manner.
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