Outlet failure is a phenomenon that cannot be foreseen. Even if this is not the only device in the house, the problem will cause a number of inconveniences. Thinking about how to change the outlet, we are still inclined to believe that it is better to entrust this matter to a specialist. Someone turns to a "knowledgeable" acquaintance, someone - to the housing office, someone finds a private company, "masters for an hour." But replacing the outlet yourself is a process that almost any of us can handle. And the instructions in the article will convince you of this!
When should I change my outlet?
It would seem that the answer is obvious - when the device ceases to function. Yes, this is one of the cases. However, urgent replacement is also required when the following occurs:
- Protective body of the device melted.
- The socket falls out of the wall. Here, perhaps, the matter will cost a simple fix - a more reliable fixation in the socket. However, if parts of the internal mechanism are broken or damaged, replacement is indispensable.
- You want to replace your device with a secure one - withgrounding.
- Wish to choose a more modern, aesthetic option equipped with additional functions and so on.
Necessary consumables
So how to change the outlet yourself? First of all, you need to stock up on the necessary consumables:
- Actually new outlet.
- Socket box (not required in all cases - we'll talk more about it in the "Second option" section).
- Alabaster, plaster (also relevant only for the "Second option") - about 200 g.
Required tools
The following tools are also needed:
- Slotted screwdriver.
- Phillips screwdriver.
- Cutters.
- Technical knife.
- Pliers.
- Hammer and chisel (for difficult cases).
- Voltage indicator - the presence of a tool is desirable for your own safety.
First of all…
We will start our work by turning off the electricity supply to the apartment on the switchboard. On standard devices, it is enough just to turn the toggle switch to the opposite position. Since there may be several switches (if you are doing this for the first time, it is advisable to deactivate all the toggle switches then), turn on the light in the room where you are going to change the outlet. If the light does not turn on, you turned the desired toggle switch - you can start working without fear.
Dismantling the old outlet
So, how to change the old outlet to a new one:
- First of all, we unscrew using a suitablescrewdriver protective case of the former device. As a standard, it is attached with two screws.
- So we have exposed the internal mechanism of the outlet. We will again have two screws holding the spacer legs. It is they who fix the mechanism in the depth of the socket.
- On top of the device you will notice two contact screws. They connect the wires and that's where the voltage goes.
- How to change the socket? Before you remove the old mechanism and disconnect the wires, we recommend that you use a voltage indicator. This device will show that there is no voltage on the contact screws (that is, you have deactivated the correct toggle switches on the shield). And at the same time - that nothing threatens you.
- Is everything okay? Unscrew the screws on the spacer legs.
- After that, pull a little (so as not to break or break anything) the mechanism towards you.
- Now it's the contact screws. Unscrew them and release the wires.
- If the wires were attached to the old screws wrapped in rings, then carefully straighten them, still trying not to touch the bare parts.
The old mechanism is out, the socket is empty, loose wires are sticking out. That's all, the dismantling is over.
Choosing a new outlet
And we continue to tell you how to change the outlet at home yourself. The new device can be chosen like the old one or different from it in the decor of the front cover.
In the previous paragraph, we disassembled the socket without a grounding contact. This is the standard case.- most of our apartments will not have this third wire. But if in your case it is, then we recommend that you mark it somehow during dismantling - for example, stick a piece of electrical tape. But in some cases, electricians take care of you and immediately make it a different color than zero and phase.
If you do not live in a new house, then most likely there is no grounding in your apartment. Previously, only the power cabinet in the building could be grounded. This was due to the fact that no equipment was produced that needed such an addition, and the plugs of all devices were stamped without a "ground". However, if you changed the wiring to a new one or specially bought a wire for this purpose, then the socket device is also purchased accordingly.
Even if your home is wired without earth, we still recommend buying a socket with a grounding contact. Even though it costs a little more. Why? Special springs are installed in sockets with grounding, which guarantee additional pressure on the plug of the electrical device. As a result, we get a tighter connection of contacts. And this is a guarantee that such an outlet will last longer than usual.
Preparing a new outlet
Deciphering how to change the outlet in the apartment. The device we bought, most likely, was sold assembled - the protective frame in it is screwed to the mechanism itself. Let's disassemble the design by unscrewing the connection.
Before changing the outlet, consider the mechanism:
- Right and left as inold design, there will be foot screws.
- Above them again two screws - they are designed for contact wires. Also gravitate to the right and left sides.
- If you bought a socket with "ground", then there will be a third screw between the contact screws - a ground screw.
- Turn the mechanism upside down, back. Behind the contact and ground screws you will see holes for wiring - two on each.
- Let's move on. If you look closely, inside each hole we will see a clamping spring. Its function is that it must press the wire in order to form a contact connection. The spring is actuated by the terminal screw.
After familiarizing ourselves with the mechanism, we will further understand how to change the outlet ourselves.
Connecting wires
Responsible stage of our work. Let's pay attention to the wires - we have to clean each of them. In other words, remove the layer of insulation a little. Since the contact depth in the socket is approximately 6-7 mm, we clean a few millimeters more than this value. Then, with wire cutters or pliers, you need to fit the wire to the desired size. Note that the maximum that the unstripped part protrudes from the contact on the socket mechanism is 2-3mm.
How to change the outlet - look further. Now the wiring needs to be inserted into the relying hole. Tighten it with the clamping contact screw. Check the fixation - pull it towards you. The wire must not wobble or wobble. If it is motionless, then everything is fine, contactgood.
If you are lazy at this point and do not redo poor quality work, then this will have consequences. A bad contact will start to burn, which will contribute to the failure of the socket mechanism.
According to the same plan, we connect the second neutral wire to the outlet. Last (if any), we connect the ground wire. We did it!
Placing the mechanism in the socket
And now we are close to the end of the story "How to change the socket". Gently place the mechanism with the wires attached to it into the socket recess.
Fix the device horizontally, align it properly. After that, fix the mechanism in the socket using the spacer tabs.
And now the matter is small. Install the protective frame on top. Fix it to the socket mechanism with screws (or one screw, depending on the design). Now it remains to turn to the shield and turn the toggle switches to the working position - to supply electricity to the apartment. Test the outlet by plugging (just in case) a weak electrical appliance into it.
How to change the socket at home: the second option
Let's imagine such a situation - the mechanism cannot be fixed in the socket - the spacer legs of the purchase do not reach its walls. In this case, we do the following - we again make a trip to the electrical goods store in order to purchase a socket box of a diameter suitable for the purchased socket.
Returning home, using the same screwdriver, we carefully dismantle the old socket box. Try to act as carefully as possible so as not to damage the wires. To fix the new socket in the thickness of the wall, you can use either special glue or gypsum mortar. Be sure to wait the allotted time for this case to seize.
And now about how to change the outlet in the apartment yourself. The socket box can imply two mounting options. The first, most common, we have already indicated - with the help of spacer legs. The second option involves the use of a plastic or iron frame for fastening. It is fixed with screws, the holes for which you will see on the socket itself.
The procedure then proceeds as described above: the wires are connected to the holes in the socket mechanism, it itself is inserted into the recess, aligned by you. The protective housing is then screwed on with screws. By the way, in addition to the protection frame, a decorative panel can be additionally installed on the socket.
We also advise you, if the mechanism is attached both with the help of an iron frame and with the help of spacer legs, use not one, but two of these methods at once. What for? It is not uncommon for a socket to fly out of its hiding place. When, for example, you, without calculating the force, sharply pulled the plug of an electrical appliance out of it. A double mount will save you from such an unpleasant situation. And you will not have to think about how to change the old outlet.
Last tips
Bin conclusion, we want to give you a number of general useful recommendations on all of the above:
- Since we need to turn off the electricity in the room (apartment) to replace the outlet, the work should be carried out during daylight hours. Otherwise, you need to bring a powerful flashlight or, at worst, candle lighting.
- We advise you to purchase a voltage indicator - a very useful and at the same time inexpensive device. In its form - a probe screwdriver.
- One contact of the socket is connected to the phase wire, the second - to zero, the third (if any) to the ground wire. We check the presence of voltage on the phase wire (the light on the indicator will light up).
- If you have to install a new socket due to the unreliability of the old one or because it does not fit, then it is best to prepare a plaster mortar to fix it. Use alabaster (building plaster). The solution must be of such density that the socket is securely held in it even before the composition seizes. Alabaster is applied with a spatula both to the thickness of the wall and to the socket itself - make sure that the holes for the wires in it remain free.
- If the length of the wires is not enough to install a new outlet, then it is possible to increase them - to attach new segments. For aluminum, a terminal block is used. Copper wires are twisted and then soldered. The connection must be insulated.
So we made sure that there is no particular difficulty in replacing the outlet on our own. The main thing at work is taking care ofyour own safety!
