Q&A for How to Replace a Defective Electrical Switch or Outlet

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Question

How do you fix a faulty outlet?

Daniel Stoescu
Master Electrician
Daniel Stoescu is a Master Electrician and the Owner and Operator of Home Tech Solutions, LLC in Hampton, Virginia. With over a decade of experience, Daniel specializes in wiring residential, commercial, and light industrial structures. The Home Tech Solutions team has over four decades of combined experience and offers comprehensive solutions for residential electrical needs.

Daniel Stoescu

Master Electrician

Expert Answer

First check the other components in the electrical circuit to make sure that the problem is really with the outlet. Then you can follow the steps above to replace the outlet.

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Question

How do you change an electric outlet to a three-prong dryer outlet?

Community Answer

You cannot change a standard 120-volt household outlet to a 240-volt dryer outlet without rewiring and splitting the circuit.

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Question

Why must the circuit be switched off when replacing a lamp?

Community Answer

Circuits must be turned off to ensure your safety. If the electricity wasn't turned off, you could get the "zap of a lifetime" that may kill you. However, if you are replacing a lamp without touching a electrical outlet's wires, you don't need to turn off any circuits. But once you need to touch the wiring inside the electrical outlet, that's when you'll need to kill the power to these outlets from the circuit box.

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Question

Are there electrical 4-way throws that are lighted? If so, where can they be obtained?

Community Answer

Yes, there are. You can find ones with illuminated toggles or plates at most hardware stores or online (check Amazon). Models in the Decora style are also available in most hardware stores, but they are more expensive.

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Question

Is there a way to determine which panel circuit breaker controls power to faulty (known) GFIC without shutting down the main breaker?

Community Answer

To find the correct breaker, you can either use a no-contact circuit tester, or a digital circuit finder. Either way, having a partner confirm the breaker ID is a time-saver.

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Question

If I have a 15 amp outlet, can I replace it with a 20 amp outlet?

Community Answer

No. The fuse (circuit protection device) for that particular circuit is designed to handle 15 Amp. If you replace it with a 20 Amp outlet, you overload the fuse and run the risk of a fire.

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I get a small shock anytime I plug in an appliance to one of my outlets in the kitchen. Why?

Community Answer

It could be a bad/old/loose wiring of the outlet, or the outlet is supplying too much current. Have an electrician check it out.

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Question

Why might my power be going off?

Community Answer

If this is in your house, you might not have been paying your bills. Double-check your statements and account history to ensure that the payments have been going through. The city where you live might have been having some power issues as well, which would be out of your control. Lastly, consider calling an electrician to investigate your house.

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