Plugs falling out of an outlet can be a real inconvenience, especially if the outlet or device is integral to your daily life. If the outlet next to your bed fails to charge your phone or alarm clock, you can have a lot of issues. Luckily, the way to troubleshoot and fix this problem is something that most motivated homeowners can take on themselves. Today, let’s discuss how you can get all of your outlets, plugs, and prongs to fit well together.
Broken Outlets Or Broken Plugs? Troubleshooting The Problem
Whether or not you have to replace the outlet or the plug your device uses is going to depend on which one is causing the loose connection. If both the outlet and the plug are used often together, the problem could also stem from both simultaneously. The easiest way to troubleshoot the problem area is to take your device and plug it into other outlets around the house. At the same time, take a few unique devices and try them out in the potentially damaged outlet. Through these tests, you should get a good idea of which part is broken, either the outlet or the plug itself.
If the device is the issue, and the wire can be easily swapped out, like a phone charger, your solution is straightforward. Over time, plugs can become bent or have parts chip off if improperly handled. Instead of trying to repair it, purchasing a brand-new pin with years of guaranteed usage is the recommended solution.
The more interesting case is when the outlet is causing the loose connections. Loose connections stemming from the outlet are primarily due to the internal contact points becoming damaged due to years of usage. Outlets can also become ‘loose’ if electrical damage has caused internal components of the outlet to shift, burn up, or break away. It is not uncommon for an outlet that has experienced a blowout to have further issues down the line.
Replacing the outlet is the only way to fix this issue. While homeowners can attempt an outlet DIY repair, it is not recommended. As a homeowner, your most important job should be efficiently identifying the problem areas, so you only call an electrician when needed. Compared to someone who calls an electrician at the first sign of any electrical trouble, you can save money by learning the ins and outs of problems like these and completing the safe DIY tasks yourself.
Once you identify that the outlet does need to be replaced, an electrician can come to complete the project in a quick fashion. An outlet swap should take no more than an hour unless faulty wiring or other issues are seen upon inspection.
First, the electrician will turn off power to that area of the house through your breaker. After testing to ensure no power is flowing, they will unscrew the outlet cover and terminal screws, allowing access to the wires. If the wires are not damaged, the electrician can proceed to line up the new outlet connections and check to ensure they are correct, tight, and safe. This is why homeowners should not attempt this project. Barring electrical shocks from lingering electricity, failure to correctly reconnect these wires to terminal screws is a significant fire hazard. Finally, the new outlet can be placed in the outlet receptacle.
The simplicity of this project and the speed at which a repair can be done means that you shouldn’t continue putting off an outlet repair if it is causing you unnecessary stress. The master electricians at Promise Electric are trusted in Sarasota for everything from small residential projects to large construction projects. Call today, regardless of the size of your electrical project.
