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ARE YOUR TWO PRONG ELECTRICAL OUTLETS UP TO CODE?

The two-pronged electrical outlets are old wiring outlets with no grounding when they are installed. In case of a lightning strike, the 2- prong cheater means a prong surge protector is useless as there is no ground prong available to shun the surge off. Whether or not the electrical appliances in your house will get ruined depends on the direction in which the power surge will go in your home's electrical wiring.

It is possible to fit in a three-prong into the same outlets without thinking of the cost of rewiring your house as long as the box itself is grounded to make it up to code. To make your two-prong electrical outlets up to code, they need to be replaced. You can call an electrician for consultation, and they can help with the upgrade. You don’t need to go for a full household wiring before you can get it upgraded. You can replace the electrical outlets with newer and safer ones that are up to the current electrical codes.

If you are comfortable working with electricity, you can follow the procedure below to get your 2-prong up to code. Please ensure you switch off the power control of the house before you start working on it which is taking safety precautions. You can as well follow the steps below to get it upgraded.

•    Turn off the power to the outlet being replaced at the electrical service board. Affirm the outlet has been switched off with a circuit tester.

•    Remove the cover plate screw and cover, at that point, remove the two screws holding the old receptacle into the box.

•    Haul out the old outlet, being exceptionally careful so as not to split the old wiring, delicately extending it to give yourself access to the wires.

•    Remove the old outlet.

•    Some old boxes are tight, so the new outlet must be test-fitted by delicately driving the cables back and guaranteeing the new box will fit. (If it doesn't, another, bigger electrical box will be required – which is another instructional exercise entirely.)

•    If the wires aren't sufficiently long, include a 4-6" augmentation ("ponytails"), utilizing the suitable wire for the circuit amperage: 15amp = 14 measure; 20amp = 12 check. Pick up one white wire, one dark from a nearby electrical shop, alongside the fitting wire nuts to include the augmentations.

If the wires are sufficiently long, take a look at the terminals on the outlet, recognizing the "Line" terminals. These are the main ones you will utilize. Associate the wires: - Dark wire to the brass "Line" terminal screw.
- White wire to the silver "Line" terminal screw.
- Gently overlap the wires back in the case, squeezing in the new outlet.
- Screw the box to fasten
- You you are adding GFCI outlets you can test the outlet by pushing the RESET to turn it on, and the TEST to close it off. At that point, make sure to install the cover plate and include the NO GROUND sticker.



If you're not sure about the quality of your electrical outlets in your home or business, it's best to have them inspected by a licensed electrician. You can find us easily by doing a quick internet search using Electrician Dripping Springs.




Tejas Electric
512-858-7689
2799 W. Highway 290
Dripping Springs, TX 78620

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