![]() The grounding wire is connected much like the neutral, as it also connects to a grounded neutral tie block. Most modern sockets in North America have a grounding slot in addition to the hot and neutral(see figure 3). In a non-polarized plug, the switch may only open the circuit at the neutral lead, which means that most of the internal circuitry of the device is still considered "hot" and can lead to shock hazards. The benefit of polarization is that polarized plugs can only be inserted in one orientation, so the switch to turn any device connected to the socket on or off can be built into the hot lead. Of course, to complete the circuit all the way back to the generator, the neutral is also connected back to the original distribution system in addition to being grounded at multiple locations. Instead, the hot slot supplies the voltage required to draw current, and when a plug is inserted into the socket, the energy flows in from the hot slot, through the circuit, and ends at the neutral, which disperses the energy into the ground. The neutral is connected by a wire to ground, so its voltage is 0 V. In North America, this is accomplished by having two differently sized slots in addition to the rounded grounding slot, the larger of which is called the neutral line, and the smaller called the hot line (see figure 2). Polarized plugs can only be inserted into them one way (which seems annoying, but is actually an important safety feature). A labelled diagram of a polarized two-pronged outlet. Do not connect more than one wire to a single terminal.Figure 2. Bend the wire into a C-shaped loop to connect to the side screw terminal.Ĭomplete the wire connections by attaching the black (hot) wires to the brass-colored screw terminals, using the same technique. Instead, trim off the bare end of each wire, then strip about 3/4 inch of insulation from the wire, using wire strippers. If the old receptacle was back-wired, don't use the back-wire fittings on the new receptacle unless they are the type that can be tightened with a screw. Do not connect more than one wire to a single terminal. NOTE: Some receptacles are designed so the straight ends of the wires are inserted into slots next to the screw terminals on the side of the receptacle. To do this, bend a C-shaped loop at the end of the wire, loop it in a clockwise direction around the green screw terminal on the receptacle, and tighten the screw firmly.Īttach the white neutral circuit wire(s) to the silver-colored screw terminal(s) on the receptacle using the same method. If you cannot discern a color on the insulation around the wires (which is sometimes the case with old wiring), you can label them with small tabs of tape to distinguish which wires were attached to the hot screw and neutral screw.Īttach the bare copper or green insulated circuit wire to the green screw terminal on the receptacle. You may want to take a photo to help you remember how the receptacle is wired. In any case, your goal is to recreate the same wiring connections on the new receptacle. end-of-run) and on how the previous electrician chose to wire the circuit. The wiring will depend on where the receptacle is within the circuit ( middle-of-run vs. Some receptacles will have only one hot and one neutral wire attached to the receptacle, while others may have two hot wires and two neutral wires attached to opposite sides of the receptacle. Another short grounding wire (known as a pigtail) may link the circuit grounding wires to a metal electrical box. Bare copper wires (or sometimes green insulated wires) are ground wires one of these should be attached to the green grounding screw on the receptacle. ![]() ![]() White wires are neutral wires and are usually attached to the silver-colored screw terminals. Black wires are "hot" wires that carry live voltage these should be attached to the brass-colored screw terminals on the receptacle. In most cases, you will see three wire colors attached to the receptacle. ![]() Remove the mounting screws holding the receptacle strap to the electrical box, and gently extract the receptacle out of the box, gripping the receptacle by the top and bottom "ears."Įxamine the wire configuration.
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