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Do You Need an Electrician to Replace or Install an Outlet?

By May 31, 2022 No Comments
An electrician installing an outlet

If you are doing repairs or renovations in your home, you’ll likely want to add some new outlets or replace the old ones. As with any electrical work, you might be wondering if that’s something you can do on your own. Or maybe it’s better to play it safe and call a professional? Ultimately, that depends on you and your skills and knowledge.

Do You Need an Electrician to Replace an Outlet?

damaged electrical outlet Northern Electrical Replacing an outlet can be a fairly easy job that someone without an electrician’s license can do if they’re handy.  If you’re not sure you can replace an outlet correctly and safely, it’s always better to call an electrician. We have plenty of experience and will likely finish the job in a matter of minutes. Plus, you’ll have nothing to worry about! If you think you can do it safely, here’s what the job entails.

Before you start, you need to flip the circuit breaker to cut the power to that particular circuit. Then it should be safe to unscrew the faceplate, and the additional screws wires are attached to. Just to be on the safe side, you should use an electrical tester on the outlet to make sure the power is really off. Once you’ve done that, you can remove the old outlet from the wall and begin installing the new one.

At this stage, it’s important to know where each wire should go. Familiarize yourself with different wires and their purposes, as well as which one attaches to which screw. You certainly don’t want to make a mistake here.

Once you attach all the wires, put the outlet back in its place by repeating all the steps in reverse. Then it should be safe to switch the power back on.

Do You Need an Electrician to Install a New Outlet?

An electrician installing an outlet While replacing an outlet doesn’t require great skill, installing one is a different story. In theory, you could still do it on your own, but you’d need appropriate tools, knowledge of existing circuits in your home, and an understanding of electricity. Once you have all that, you can determine the best place for your new outlet and begin installing.

Remember, though — installing a new outlet can be quite dangerous and may result in injury, fire, or even death. Thus, even if you want to do it on your own, it’s always safer to contact a licensed electrician before you start. They can advise you on how to do it properly or take over the job in case you realize it’s too difficult. Don’t risk starting on your own unless you already have the necessary experience!

Northern Electrical — Your Go-To For All Things Electrical

Northern Electrical Booth When replacing an outlet or installing a new one, it’s wise to call an electrician for consultation. If you’re looking for a good one, Northern Electrical is always at your service. We have years of experience with all kinds of electrical work, so we’ll take care of your outlets in no time. Whether you need consultation or specific help, give us a call. Our licensed professionals will come quickly and provide expert service at an affordable price!