An electrical outlet in a busy part of the house like your bathroom , kitchen, or home workroom has a difficult life. The outlet (also known as a
receptacle) is subject to a great deal of wear and tear. Once an electrical outlet has been damaged or is simply past its prime, it is not only an inconvenience, it can be downright dangerous. Avoid the possibility of electric shocks or
burns by learning the signs that indicate one or more of your electrical outlets requires replacement.
Signs that an Outlet Needs Replacement
The faceplate is broken, chipped, or cracked, permitting dangerous electrical arcing when you try to insert a plug.
The slots have loosened so that they will allow the weight of the cord to pull the plug out of the receptacle, rather than remaining firmly -- and safely -- in place.
The plastic of your outlet cover feels warm to the touch, is darkened or charred looking or gives off an unpleasant burnt smell. Deterioration of internal contacts or wire terminals can cause overheating, with eventual melting and the possibility of sparking or -- worst of all -- an
electrical fire. Treat this as an emergency warning signal. Flip the circuit breaker which controls that particular outlet to the "Off" position and contact an electrician immediately.
The outlet produces electric shocks. In this case, the problem could be due to an appliance you are presently using, the outlet itself, or the wiring. Unplug the appliance to investigate whether that might be the trouble source. Otherwise, have an electrician examine the outlet and the wiring for faults.
The outlet has gone dead. First see whether your other outlets are functioning. Then look for a tripped breaker or GFCI device and reset if necessary. If this doesn't solve your problem, check the outlet with an outlet tester. Plug in a small appliance (which works fine in other outlets) to be sure that the problem is in the receptacle itself.
Another cause of outlet failure is exposure to moisture. That is why GFCI outlets are increasingly required in areas of the home where water is used, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, wet bars, outdoor spas, and the like. If your outlet has become damp, flip the corresponding breaker and consult an electrician.
You have an ungrounded outlet -- the type with 2 slots. (The safer grounded type has 2 slots and a 3rd hole resembling a mouth.) To protect yourself and your family against shocks, do not simply replace your ungrounded receptacle with a grounded type. Instead, install a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet, or hire a professional electrician to
upgrade your outlets.
Proper Care of Electrical Outlets
Take good care to avoid damaging your electrical outlets and prevent
injury to human beings.
Insert plugs into the outlet gently to minimize wear.
Switch off appliances, lamps, and other electrical devices before unplugging them.
Pull on the plug, not the cord, to detach from the outlet. And never, ever pull on the cord at an angle. This prevents two types of damage -- to the cord itself and also to the receptacle.
Avoid overloading an outlet with multi-way plugs, extension cords, or appliances with faulty wiring.
If you live in an older home, built prior to 1975, check your outlets with an outlet tester to verify whether they are properly wired and safely grounded. If they do not check out, replace them.
Be aware that electrical receptacles in areas such as kitchens and baths will tend to need replacement more frequently, due to their continual exposure to steam, heat, and cleaning products.
