How to Upgrade to Three-Prong Outlets Without an Electrician

Quick Summary

• Many older homes still have two-prong, ungrounded electrical outlets, which can pose safety risks.
• Upgrading to modern three-prong outlets is safer and protects against electric shocks and damage from voltage surges.
• If the existing wiring lacks a ground wire,Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets must replace two-prong ones instead of rewiring the house.
• Essential materials for DIY replacement include GFCI outlets, black electrical tape, screwdrivers (flathead and Phillips), a wire stripper, and a non-contact voltage tester.
• Steps to upgrade:

1. Cut off power supply at the breaker panel using proper mapping or ensure outlets are not “hot” via voltage testing.
2. Remove the old outlet carefully without damaging wires inside the wall cavity.
3. Inspect wires; they shouldn’t be melted or damaged. Expose more length if necessary using a wire stripper tool.
4. Attach wires to color-coded screws (gold for hot/red/black; silver for neutral/white) on new GFCI outlet securely.5. Wrap connections with black electrical tape as an added protective measure before mounting the outlet back into place with screws provided in housing box frames while attaching protective plates above too firmly post-test voltages running by trial devices-plugs directly attached beneath surfaces operational volts prove success guaranteed outputs noted always upon failure fixes next repeat relevant consistency overall improved-task adept accomplished users results individual efforts naturally simple achieves instantaneous rewarding functionalities alike done likewise reportedly easy.

Images:

1. Image showing gold (“hot”) connection on an outlet – Credit: Jeff Somers
2. Image showing silver (“neutral”) connection – credit: Jeff Somers

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