How to Replace an Outlet With a GFCI
Replacing an outlet with a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) is a simple task that can be done in just a few minutes.It's important to remember that any time you are working with electricity, you need to make sure the power is shut off. Before replacing an outlet with gfci, turn off the breaker for the circuit you're working on.
It is also possible to use a voltage tester to ensure no current runs through the wires.
Once you've verified this step, unscrew the two screws that hold your old outlet in place and pull it away from the wall box.
Next, lose two wire nuts and use pliers to flatten out each end of those wires so they can be connected safely together again later on with new wire nuts (or staples).
Now comes time for attaching ground wires - first, attach one green grounding wire using a wire nut or staple near a silver screw on the center of the GFCI socket, then connect black wires by twisting them together then attaching them up with red or brass screws at the bottom of GFCI outlet.
First, turn off the breaker to the circuit you're working on.
To start, turn off the power to the outlet you are working on. If you don't know where that is, look at your breaker box (a square metal box in your basement or garage).You'll see labels on each breaker handle that tell you what room or area of the house it controls.
For example, if a light over your kitchen sink doesn't work anymore, try flipping off the breaker for "kitchen." -This might be labeled something like "Kitchen/Dining Area."
-If everything seems to be working correctly now (including any other lights nearby), congratulations.
However, If nothing has changed after removing the old outlet from its socket and installing a new one in its place (and rechecking all connections), then there might be another problem:
-Namely, with how electricity flows throughout your home's wiring system. In this case—if we're talking about an older house.
—You'll need to talk to an electrician before proceeding further into our tutorial today because they'll have experience diagnosing problems like wires aren't getting power due to faulty wiring somewhere else down the line and knowing how best to fix them.
Unscrew the two screws.
Make sure the outlet is unplugged first.
After that, take out the screws that are holding the outlet in place and pull them away from the wall.
Next, loosen two wire nuts and use your pliers to flatten out the end of the wires.
Now you’re ready to begin connecting the wires. Remove the two wire nuts from the ends of each set of cables and use your pliers to flatten out the end of each wire. Be careful not to break it.
Next, cut off any excess length from the power supply cord with a wire cutter or scissors (the latter works better if you have a thick-insulated electrical cable). Then strip off about ¼ inch of insulation on both ends using a pair of wire strippers.
New ground wire.
Next, attach a new ground wire to the silver screw using a wire nut. Ensure the ground wire is connected to the outlet's silver screw and not to any other part of the outlet. Attach it with a wire nut.
When you're done attaching the ground wire and you've turned on your circuit breaker or flipped on your main switch, plug in your new outlet and test it with an electrical tester with lights showing live circuits.
If everything is working correctly, all of these lights will be lit up green when you plug in something that uses electricity—like an appliance or light fixture—to power those devices' motors.
Green grounding wire.
Now, connect the green grounding wire to the green screw on the center of the GFCI.
You must connect this one right away because it's the only wire connecting to the center of your GFCI.
If you're unsure which screws are meant for what wires, check out this image: As you can see, there are different colored screws on each side of your outlet.
The white and black wires both attach at one end (either end) of your new outlet; where they attach depends on whether or not your outlet has switched hotlines.
Also, connect two black with a wire nut.
Connect two black wires with a wire nut - one end comes from the hot cable on your right side of GFCI when looking at it face-on, and the other is from the hotline that comes from the left side.
Use electrical tape to tape off bare metal parts (such as screws or terminals) that aren't being used to connect wires - this will prevent short circuits!
Remaining ends of the black wires.
Now take the remaining ends of the black wires and connect them up with red or brass screws on GFCI outlet.
Make sure to connect the wires to the correct screw, terminal, and terminal on the gfci outlet.
Then secure these connections with wire nuts and tighten up all the excess wire so it's out of sight.
Electrician Help
Once everything is connected up, test it with a voltage tester. If it doesn't work, it's best to talk to an electrician through Video Chat a Pro as there could be something wrong with the wiring. If it does work, though, you're finished.Replacing an outlet requires electricity, so make sure you shut off the power before you start working.
To get started, you'll want to turn off the power to the circuit you're working on. The breaker box is usually in an inconspicuous area like a basement or garage, but it can also be near your breaker panel in your hallway or living room.
If you don't know where yours is, check under the sink for a box with breakers and fuses inside (usually right next to your water heater).
To turn off power safely:
Flip off all switches that control lights or outlets connected to this circuit (i.e., bedroom lights).
-This includes any switches found on light fixtures; if there's one on a ceiling fan pull chain, flip it too.
It doesn't matter if these switches are turned on; they should be turned off just in case they were accidentally left switched the last time someone used them.
Check whether there's anything plugged into these outlets using a voltage tester—you'll see zero volts if nothing's plugged in but 120 volts when something is plugged in (the most common place for an appliance plug is between 20-30 amps).
If your breaker panel has no labels next to each switch - which indicates that these circuits may not have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) installed - make sure that any appliances or other devices are unplugged before turning off the power.
Talk to an Electrician
We hope you have found this information on how to replace an outlet with a GFCI outlet helpful. With Video Chat a Pro help is available if you have run into any issues. Talk to an electrician and get project-specific help. Every outlet wiring scenario is different and you may need help from an electrician.