The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Most homeowners will call in anelectricianfor advanced electrical jobs, and legitimately so.
Running a new circuit or adding a sub-panel are major tasks.
But fixing an electrical outlet is a different matter.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Most outlet problems can be solved quickly and inexpensively by the homeowner.
Fortunately,electrical outlets are simple, inexpensive devices.
Regular (non-GFCI) outlets have no moving parts that can wear out.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
If they do fail, they can be easily replaced.
GFCI outlets tend to have a higher failure rate.
Again, GFCI outlets can be replaced on a one-for-one basis relatively easily.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The source of the problem is usually at one end or the other.
As a result, access is easy and components are simple to purchase at your nearest home center.
GFCI Outlet
GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
A GFCI outlet can be identified by the TEST and RESET buttons on the face.
Permits and Codes
Permitting may or may not be required.
Be sure to check with your local permit office.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Even if permitting is not required, all repairs must be made in accordance with National Electrical Code standards.
Circuit and service extensions
Circuit and service alterations
Install a new electrical outlet
Install a new light fixture.
If you feel unsafe in any way,call a licensed electrician.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
If a step does not work, go to the next step.
Nearly all electrical outlet problems can be solved by one of these steps.
This usually will require replacement of the outlet.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
(It’s hard to replace an outlet after it has caught on fire.)
With this issue, it might be a simple case of lightening the load on a circuit.
The most common reason forcircuit breaker trippingis an overloaded system.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Turn off appliances that consume a lot of electricity, flip the breaker, and take another crack.
Sometimes, the circuit breaker itself may require replacing.
Arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) circuit breakers are a tremendous safety improvement.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
But AFCIs do tend to be sensitive and prone to flipping off.
Surge protector electrical leakage can sometimes produce nuisance tripping.
AFCIs also trip often when using old vacuum cleaners.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The older vacuum cleaner units have a tendency to produce noisy current on the path returning to the breaker.
This noisy current will cause the breaker to trip.
In a few instances, you may have just one light or appliance on a circuit.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Since these draw a huge amount of power, they tend to be on one dedicated circuit.
If this is an isolated problem with just one outlet, a defective outlet may be to blame.
In this case, replace the entire outlet.
If the outlet is aGFCI outlet, first try the reset the button.
