How to Convert From a 2 to a 3 Prong Outlet
- 1). Turn off the power at the home's main service panel. The service panel is usually located in the basement, a closet, an outside wall or in the garage, and can be identified by its gray metal casing. Open the panel and flip the main power switch to "Off."
- 2). Test the existing outlet with a circuit tester to confirm that the electricity has been turned off. Note that the tester features two wires. Insert the tester's red wire into the outlet's longest vertical slot and the black wire into the shortest slot. If the tester lights up, the power is still on.
- 3). Remove the screw from the center of the outlet's faceplate with a screwdriver and pull the plate away from the outlet.
- 4). Remove the screw at the top of the outlet and at the bottom of the outlet with a screwdriver and pull the outlet out of its electrical box.
- 5). Remove the wires from the outlet. Note that the tip of each wire is secured to the side of the outlet with a terminal screw. Loosen the screws with a screwdriver and pull the wires away from the outlet.
- 6). Locate the copper wire inside the outlet box. The wire will likely be wrapped around the other wires inside the box. This copper wire is the ground wire. Pull the tip of the copper wire out of the box with needle-nose pliers.
- 7). Bend the tip of the copper wire with the needle-nose pliers to form a hook.
- 8). Determine the position of each wire by looking at the back of the three-prong outlet. Note that one side of the outlet reads "White." Hook the white wire around the terminal screw on the side of the outlet labeled "White," then tighten the terminal screw onto the wire. Attach the black wire to the opposite side of the outlet in the same manner. Attach the copper ground wire to the terminal screw on the bottom of the outlet.
- 9). Insert the outlet into the outlet box and tighten the outlet's two securing screws with the screwdriver.
- 10
Position the faceplate onto the outlet and replace the plate's single retaining screw. - 11
Turn the main power switch to "On."
