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How to Replace a 3 Prong Receptacle
Tools & Materials:
Wire Cutters
Screw Driver
Electrical Tape
Receptacle
Neon Tester
Additional tools maybe needed
Time to Complete: 15 Minutes
Safety is very important when working with electricity. If you are not comfortable or do not possess the proper knowledge please consult a professional electrician to complete your project.
Step 1:
The first step is to make sure power is disconnected to the receptacle. Locate the circuit breaker or fuse and turn it off. The best tool for this is a neon tester. There are a variety of other voltage testers that are widely available
Step 2:
After power is off remove existing receptacle from electrical outlet box. This usually requires unscrewing the receptacle cover and unscrewing 2 screws holding the receptacle in place.
Step 3:
Again double check to make sure the power is off. Take a careful look at the wiring before disconnecting the wiring. In a standard 3 prong device you will have several wiring configurations. I will go over two simple configurations.
The first one is simple. (Box will have only 3 wires in it)
You will have 3 wires (1 - Black = Hot, 1 - White = Neutral, 1- Bare or Green = Ground). The white wire should be connected to the silver screw. The black wire should be connected to the brass screw. The green wire should be connected to the green screw.
The Second one is also simple. (Box will have only 6 wires in it)
You will have 6 wires (2 - Black = Hot, 2 - White = Neutral, 2- Bare or Green = Ground). The white wires should be connected to the silver screws. The black wire should be connected to the brass screws. The green wire should be connected to the green screw(The grounds maybe pigtailed with a wire not so you can have just one wire under the screw).
Step 4:
If the wires are connected as described above. Disconnect them from the existing receptacle. The wire may need to be unscrewed or twisted out of the stab tabs on the rear of the receptacle.
Step 5:
Inspect the wires to make sure there are no kinks or nicks. If the wires are damaged you will need to cut and strip the wire to make a proper connection.
Step 6:
Connect the white wire(s) to the silver screw(s). Connect the black wire(s) to the brass screw(s). Connect the ground wire to the ground screw.
Step 7:
Put the receptacle back in the outlet box being careful not to kink the wires. Screw the receptacle in and replace the receptacle cover.
Step 8:
Turn power on and test for proper voltage.
**Please Remember to be careful and read all installation instructions supplied with materials when tackling your project. Please find a professional to install or help with your project if you are unsure of your abilities.
Good Luck and have fun with your upcoming project.
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Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago1. Turn of the power and make sure it is off for the receptacle.
2. Remove the cover plate with a screwdriver.
3. Remove the two screws holding the outlet at top and bottom.
4. Carefully pull old outlet from the box.
5. If the black, white and bare are connected by screws, loosen the screws and remove the wires.
5A. If the wires are connected by push-on connectors push the release tab and remove wires.
6. Connect new outlet with black wire to brass colored screw, white wire to silver screw and bare wire to green screw.
7. Wrap two turns of electric tape vertically around the body of the receptacle so it covers the bare screws.
8. Push the outlet back into box arranging wires so they don't inhibit the insertion of the new outlet.
9. Insert and tighten two screws to hold in outlet such that the tabs on the outlet are flush with finished wall.
10. Install cover on outlet.
Add your answer:
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Can you change outlet to fit old 3 prong outlet?
An old 2 hole receptacle can be changed to a 3 hole receptacle that will accept a 3 prong plug, provided a ground wire is available at the box and connected to the ground (green) lug on the new receptacle. A 2 hole receptacle has a hot and neutral wire, while a 3 hole receptacle will require a ground wire connection -- in addition to the hot and neutral wires.
How do you wire a three prong twist lock receptacle to a 4 prong male connector in 220V?
Buy a new receptacle that your plug fits in. You probably need one with a neutral so look for 125/240v.
Where do I put the red black white and copper wires on a 50 amp three prong recepticle?
The 50 amp receptical will not be a three prong receptacle it will be a 3-pole 4-wire grounding receptacle. It will be a 125/250 volt rating NEMA number 14–50R. The red and black wires connect to the X and Y terminals, the white wire to the W terminal and the ground wire to the G terminal.
Can you plug a 3 prong extension into a 110 volt outlet?
Yes, provided the outlet has a three element receptacle. The third prong is ground. If you use an adapter that connects three prongs to a two slot outlet there is a shock danger.
Is a grounding 120 volt receptacle larger than an ordinary receptacle?
No, it just has an additional conductor to separate the neutral from the ground, and has a third prong in the receptacle to receive the appliance grounding conductor through the cordset.
Can you change outlet to fit old 3 prong outlet?
An old 2 hole receptacle can be changed to a 3 hole receptacle that will accept a 3 prong plug, provided a ground wire is available at the box and connected to the ground (green) lug on the new receptacle. A 2 hole receptacle has a hot and neutral wire, while a 3 hole receptacle will require a ground wire connection -- in addition to the hot and neutral wires.
Who sells 8 ft 3 prong dryer cords?
Under the new electrical code rules three prong dryer cord receptacles and therefore cords are not allowed to be installed. As you are finding out, stores are not carrying them in stock any more. You should consider an upgrade for safety sakes, to a four prong plug cord and change the wall receptacle to a four prong receptacle. There are instructions on how to do this your self on Answers.
How do you wire a three prong twist lock receptacle to a 4 prong male connector in 220V?
Buy a new receptacle that your plug fits in. You probably need one with a neutral so look for 125/240v.
Where do I put the red black white and copper wires on a 50 amp three prong recepticle?
The 50 amp receptical will not be a three prong receptacle it will be a 3-pole 4-wire grounding receptacle. It will be a 125/250 volt rating NEMA number 14–50R. The red and black wires connect to the X and Y terminals, the white wire to the W terminal and the ground wire to the G terminal.
If your outlet is a 3 prong outlet can you hook up a 3 prong plug from your old stove to a new stove which has a 4 prong plug?
No you can not you will need to replace the plug with a 4 prong the same as the style of your oven and change your breaker to the correct Amp for your style of 4 prong plug
How do you wire up 2 120V strands into a 240V if the 3 prong receptacle has 2 hots and a neutral but no place for the grounds and should you just wirenut the grounds and tuck them in the box?
On the three prong 240 v receptacle there shouldn't be a neutral because it's not needed. Should be two hots and the ground and tuck neutrals in box.
Can you plug a 3 prong extension into a 110 volt outlet?
Yes, provided the outlet has a three element receptacle. The third prong is ground. If you use an adapter that connects three prongs to a two slot outlet there is a shock danger.
How do you covert a two prong welder plug to a three prong and ground out let?
Need to know the amperage rating of the plug or the NEMA configuration of the plug and receptacle
Is a grounding 120 volt receptacle larger than an ordinary receptacle?
No, it just has an additional conductor to separate the neutral from the ground, and has a third prong in the receptacle to receive the appliance grounding conductor through the cordset.
Why would 3 prong plugs not fit into 3 prong outlets. This is a new home. All outlets only work on 2 prong plugs.?
This is very strange indeed. All modern houses in USA would have 3-prong outlets. I can't see how it could pass an electrical inspection. Check with the local agency who does inspections. Check your electric panel and look for an inspection sticker. I have encountered receptacles that are very hard to use because one or more of the pin slots (I don't know what else to call them) are way too tight. There is no easy remedy for this problem except to press hard to get the plug into the receptacle or replace the receptacle with one of a better quality. There are also child protective receptacles that require that two or three of the pins be pressed in at the same time or none of them will go. If the plug is just slightly off true it won't go.
Which is the hot in a two prong receptacle?
The smallest slot is the hot side the larger slot is the neutral slot assuming the outlet was wired correctly.
What does the circle prong on a 3 prong plug do?
Ground wire
