Fix Your Outlets and Switches Without Hiring an Electrician

Doing minor electrical repairs yourself can save you time and money. With some basic tools and safety precautions, you can often fix outlets, switches, and light fixtures in your home. Here's how to do it safely and properly.

Understanding Electrical Basics

Before doing any electrical work, familiarize yourself with some electrical basics. This will help you work safely and understand the repair task at hand.

• Electricity flows through wires and cables in a "circuit." For the circuit to work, it must make a complete loop back to the electrical panel.

• The hot wire carries the electric current from the panel to the outlet or switch. It is usually black or red.

• The neutral wire completes the circuit back to the panel. It is usually white.

• The ground wire connects to the metal case and acts as a safety to prevent shocks. It is usually bare copper.

• Voltage in a home is normally 120 volts. Higher voltages can be extremely dangerous.

• Electricity should always be turned off at the circuit breaker before working on a circuit.

Replacing a Light Switch

Light switches wear out over time and need to be replaced. Here are the steps for this common repair:

Materials Needed

• Replacement toggle light switch
• Voltage tester
• Phillips screwdriver
• Needle nose pliers
• Wire strippers

Steps

1. Turn off the light switch and circuit breaker controlling the switch.

2. Remove the switch plate cover and unscrew the switch from the electrical box.

3. Carefully disconnect the wires from the switch terminals. There may be 2 or 3 wires.

4. Take a photo of the wire connections for reference.

5. Connect the wires to the corresponding terminals on the new switch. Usually line to brass screw, load to black screw, ground to green screw.

6. Secure the new switch in the box and fasten the cover plate.

7. Turn circuit breaker back on and test switch.

Replacing an Electrical Outlet

Outlets eventually wear out and need replacing. Here are the steps for this repair:

Materials Needed

• Replacement outlet
• Voltage tester
• Phillips screwdriver
• Needle nose pliers
• Wire strippers

Steps

1. Turn off the outlet circuit breaker. Confirm power is off with a voltage tester.

2. Remove cover plate and unscrew the outlet from box.

3. Disconnect all wires from outlet. There may be 2 to 4 wires.

4. Take a photo of the wire connections for reference.

5. Connect wires to the matching terminals on the new outlet. Usually black to brass, white to silver, ground to green.

6. Secure new outlet in box and fasten cover plate.

7. Turn circuit breaker back on. Plug in a lamp to test that the outlet works.

Replacing a Light Fixture

Over time, light fixtures can wear out or break. Replacing a basic ceiling light fixture is an easy project.

Materials Needed

• New light fixture
• Voltage tester
• Phillips screwdriver
• Needle nose pliers
• Wire strippers or wire nuts

Steps

1. Turn off the light fixture at the circuit breaker. Confirm the power is off.

2. Remove the shade and light bulbs from the fixture.

3. Take a photo of the wire connections for reference.

4. Disconnect the wires from the fixture. There are usually 3 wires.

5. Unscrew mounting screws to remove fixture from the ceiling.

6. Connect the wires to the new light fixture matching wire colors. White to white, black to black, ground to ground. Twist wires securely together.

7. Mount the new fixture to the ceiling mount and secure with screws.

8. Install light bulbs and the shade.

9. Turn power back on and test that the light works.

Safety Precautions

Always exercise caution when working with electrical wiring:

• Turn off power at the breaker and verify it is off before starting work.

• Wear safety glasses and gloves to protect yourself.

• Do not work on electrical wiring when wet, standing in water, or touching a metal sink.

• Replace a fuse with the same size and type to avoid overheating.

• Do not overload outlets with too many appliances.

• Have a professional handle any complex or questionable wiring scenarios.

By following basic safety practices and applying the right techniques, you can take care of many electrical issues yourself without hiring an electrician. With a few common tools and careful attention, you can save significant money on repairs. Just be sure to turn the power off and proceed cautiously anytime you work with wiring.