How to Disconnect Wires From Outlets

Turn off the circuit breaker or remove the fuse to the outlet you are removing. Depending upon the circuits in your home, the circuit breaker might power the entire room or just one plug.

Plug an outlet tester into the outlet you are removing or test the outlet with a volt meter to ensure there is no electricity going to the outlet. Test the outlet according to the manufacturers instructions on the testing equipment. Remove the screw securing the outlet cover plate to the wall with a flat-head screwdriver, once you know there is no electricity going to the outlet.

Remove the two screws securing the outlet to the junction box with the flat-head screwdriver. Pull the outlet away from the junction box enough that you have access to the terminal screws on the side of the outlet.

Loosen the terminal screws securing the wires to the outlet with the Phillips-head screwdriver. Remove the hot wires from the outlet. The hot wires are usually black, red and sometimes yellow in color and attach to the copper colored terminal screws.

Twist a wire cap over the end of each wire until you are ready to install a new outlet. Wire caps are plastic caps with a metal center. The wire end locks into the inside of the cap as you twist it clockwise. Tape the hot wires together with electrical tape, once you install the caps. This helps keep them separated from the other wires.

Take the neutral wires off the silver terminal screws, and place a wire cap over each of the wires. Neutral wires are usually white or gray. If you have a green or copper wire, loosen the green grounding screw on the outlet and remove the wire. Place a wire cap over the the ground wire.