- In all three cases a bare copper wire is connected to a green screw which is integral to the receptacles mounting bracket.
Ground wires can be connected in a variety of methods - there may be 2 copper wires on the ground terminal or the ground wires may be joined inside the electrical box.
Figure 4 - Multiple Electrical Receptacles On The Same Circuit Are Connected In Parallel
- Remove the wires from the terminals.
- If there are other wires in the electrical box that are not connected to the receptacle they should be inspected. Make sure that the wire coverings have not been damaged and check all wire nuts to make sure they are tight - tighten if necessary.
- Install the wires on the new receptacle.
- It does not matter which of the black wires is connected to which of the two brass terminals as they are common to one another. Wrap the wire around the terminal screw in a clockwise direction. The insulation on the wire should meet up with the plastic body of the receptacle and the end of the wire should not protrude past the body of the receptacle.
- It does not matter which of the white wires is connected to which of the two silver terminals as they are common to one another.
- Do not forget to connect the ground wire to the green terminal.
- Bend the wires and push the receptacle back into the box. Push the wires out of the way of the mounting screw holes. Failure to do this could cause the receptacle mounting screws to push into the wire covering a cause a short circuit. You should be able to push the receptacle into the box to the point where the mounting frame touches the electrical box. Do not use the screws that mount the receptacle to the electrical box to draw the receptacle into the electrical box as this could break the plastic housing on the receptacle.
- Screw the receptacle frame, loosely, to the electrical box. If you are in a high rise building your electrical boxes may be connected using conduit. If the conduit comes into the electrical box at the top or bottom, it may be necessary to cut the length of the mounting screws so that they do not hit the conduit holding nut on the inside of the box. As an alternative you can use the mounting screws from the receptacle that you removed. Visually inspect the inside of the box to ensure that the screws are not applying pressure to any wires. Align the receptacle so that it is perfectly vertical and tighten the mounting screws.
- Install the receptacle cover plate.
- Turn the breaker back to the
ON
position in the electrical panel.
Additional information on: Wire terminations