Installing a new electrical outlet

By Pat Logan

Creators Syndicate

Dear Pat: I was redecorating my family room, and I changed the electrical outlets myself so the colors matched. Now, one from a wall switch does not work, and another has intermittent power. Help! — Bev N.

Dear Bev: Generally, unless you understand the basics of household electrical wiring, it is not wise to tackle even the simplest of electrical tasks. Not only can you have problems, as you experienced, but it can be very dangerous. A jolt from just 110 volts is enough to stop your heart.

Your first concern should be the intermittent power to an electrical outlet. Since this did not occur until you changed the outlet, it most likely is not a circuit-breaker problem. It probably is a broken wire that is not always making contact.

This is a serious problem because the broken spot is an area of high resistance when the electricity is flowing through it. This may get very hot, with the potential for a fire. Also, if the insulation on the wire breaks and the end of the wire is exposed, it may rest against a conducting material and shock someone.

Switch off the circuit breaker to the problem outlet, and test the outlet with a circuit-tester to make sure the power is really off. Remove the outlet cover and the outlet, and detach the wires from it. Since household wiring is solid, you will be able to easily feel the broken spot.

Cut the wire off at the broken spot, and strip back the insulation just enough to make a hook. Reattach the wires to the outlet. When you push it back into the conduit box, gently bend the wires as you push the outlet in. Try not to kink them, as that is what probably caused the broken wire.

Fixing the one outlet that is no longer operated by the switch is simple. Most double outlets are connected together so one set of wires provides power for both outlets. In your situation, you want them to be totally separate so the wall switch controls the power to just one of the outlets.

After you are sure the power is turned off to this outlet, remove it from the conduit box. You will see a jumper (small metal strip) which connects the terminals together on the two outlets. Remove this jumper, and your switch will again control the electricity to just one of the outlets.

People often get concerned when they see a wire in the conduit box that has no insulation. This is the ground wire, and insulation is not needed on it as long as the insulation on the other "hot" wires is not broken. The main ground for the entire house is often attached to the metal plumbing or a metal rod actually in the ground. The green screw in the outlet is for the ground.

When attaching wires together, plastic wire nuts are the acceptable method. The wires do not have to be soldered together. When using wire nuts, twist the bare wire ends together in a clockwise direction. Screw the wire nut over the wires. If any of the bare wire is still exposed, remove the wire nut, and trim off the end of the wires and reinstall the nut.

Tools and materials required: lineman's pliers, needle nose pliers, wire stripper, screwdriver, circuit tester.

Send questions for Pat Logan to Here’s How, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.