Steps to Fixing an Electrical Wall Plug

Safety First

• Safety is paramount when working with electricity. A residential wiring system carries enough voltage to cause serious injury and potentially death. If it is necessary to remove the plate that covers the outlet, turn the electrical supply off at the service panel and place a piece of masking tape across the closed panel warning others not to disturb the circuits. Confirm that the outlet’s power supply has been turned off before removing the cover plate. Circuit testers are readily available and fairly inexpensive. Finally, contact a professional electrician if working with electricity makes you uncomfortable or if you are unclear about how to proceed.

Circuit Breakers and Fuses

• If the circuit breaker trips repeatedly or a fuse burns out immediately after replacement, the receptacle might not be the problem. Inspect the entire length of an appliance’s electrical supply cord for damage. Wires exposed through the insulation can cause an electrical short, as can sharp bends in the cord. If you use the outlet to power a number of appliances by way of a power strip, you may be overloading the circuit. Move some of the power cords to a different outlet. Inspect the receptacle if the problem persists. Turn the power off and test the outlet to confirm that it is not receiving power. Remove the cover plate to expose the outlet’s securing screws. Remove the screws and gently pull the outlet out of the wall. Note that the wires are secured to the sides of the outlet with screws. Make sure each screw is tight and look at the exposed tips of the wires. If they are darkened or dirty, remove them from the outlet and clean the tips with fine-grade sandpaper.

Outlet Does Not Hold Plugs Securely

• If the outlet does not hold the electrical supply cord’s plug securely, first check the cord’s plug. The two vertical tabs on the plug are flexible and are relatively soft compared with other metals. If the tips of these tabs have worn down, the outlet will not hold the plug securely. Consider replacing the electrical supply cord. Replace the outlet if the plug is in good condition. Turn the power off and test the outlet to confirm that it is not receiving power. Remove the cover plate to expose the outlet’s securing screws. Remove the screws and gently pull the outlet out of the wall. Write down the position of each wire in relation to the outlet before removing the wires. Take the outlet to a hardware store to find an appropriate replacement. Attach the wires to the new receptacle and turn the power on.

Warm Outlet and Sparks

• A number of problems can cause an outlet to be warm to the touch or emit sparks when you plug or unplug a power cord. As with a repeatedly tripping circuit breaker or blown fuse, make sure that you are not overloading the circuit by plugging too may appliances into the outlet. Turn the power off and test the outlet to confirm that it is not receiving power. Check the outlet’s wires for loose securing screws, and remove any dirt or dark residue from the tips with fine-grade sandpaper. Replace the outlet if the problem persists.