What's wrong with this outlet?

Question

One of the outlets in one of my units looks like this... as you can see, the thing that should be on the front where you can plug in is missing... does this look broken or is there something I can buy at home depot to put on the front before I install a cover plate? I could obviously use some help with terminology here... thanks folks

Account Closed · Answer

Account Closed Good receptacles cost more than $1.00 and are worth it. Electrical is no place to skimp!

Account Closed · Answer

No, I wouldn't suggest you attempt to cover it because you'd have to touch it and it's very dangerous. I'd shut off the breaker to that room and stay away from it til your electrician fixes it. I'm so glad you're not at attempting to fix it yourself; you're very wise!

Chris Sukala · Answer

Electricity can be dangerous. There is a big difference in quality between a 1.00 outlet and a 5-6.00 outlet. I would not be cheap when it comes to this. If you do not know where the breaker is and do not have a actual meter to test it I would advise you to hire this out. Just because you have the power off on the hot does not mean you are not Sharing the neutral with another breaker and could potentially shock you also if you have more then one white( neutral ) on the outlet. I am a electrician and have seen my share do's and don't's

Account Closed · Answer

Thank you all, as always, for all of the helpful information. I am definitely leaving this to a pro and hiring an electrician haha. Not enough time for this. Thanks again

Account Closed · Answer

There is a very real difference in quality between a .68¢ receptacle and a heavier duty one. Hold one of each in your hand; you can easily tell the difference. The cheap ones are cheaply made and flimsy. We're only talking about $3 or $4 difference; why skimp?

Andy Luick · Answer

Get it fixed right away. Outlets likes this often break when people unplug things by tugging the cord instead of removing it at the outlet. Do you know how old the wiring is in the house? The outlet is still "live" so don't cover it over. Is it a grounded outlet (3 prung plug) or ungrounded (old houses and you will just see 2 slots for the plug without the ground under it) You can try to handle this yourself. Go to lowes and get electrical current sensor....prob $10 and a replacement outlet. You need to know whether you have copper or aluminum wiring. Find out what circuit it is on. Don't just go by the labels in the circuit panel as they are quite often mislabeled. Plug a radio on the room and turn is on....then turn the breakers off one at time until the radio shuts off. Use the sensor you bought to test the wires on the broken outlet..it will buzz and/or light if it senses current in the wiring. No current...you're good to remove the outlet. Take a picture of it with your smartphone. It may be feeding another outlet....if so there will be 2 sets of wires.....if it's end of run, there will be just one set. Carefully unscrew the outlet from the box and gently pull it out from the wall straight towards you. Remove the wires feeding the old outlet, tap or cap the ends and bend each wire back against the wall, left or right, high or low, in the same placement they had in the old oulet. There should be a separate ground wire as well. In older homes, you won't have a ground and you cYou can also label them with stickers noting their original location. Take the old outlet with you to Lowes. Always by the more expensive basic outlet....usually $5 or so and an unreakable mid-sized outlet plate to match. Pretty basic repair that most landlords can handle themselves. Pick up a plug in polarity sensor so you can test the new outlet to make sure you have installed it properly. If the old outlet was an older ungrounded one....you can install a GFI outlet instead.It makes sense for most landlords to get comfortable with basic electrical repairs and plumbing....most of it is common sense. There are also a ton of self-help books you can check at lowes or home depot....plus places online like youtube. Luck!

Eric S. · Answer

The plastic broke off the front. You have to replace the entire outlet. Very easy fix and cost less than $1. If you're unsure hire an electrician, but it should be easy to follow a youtube video.

Rico S. · Answer

Danger Danger, Safety First. Did you get this resolve? What was the exact damages and what were the cost?Thank you,Rico Account Closed

Account Closed · Answer

Duly noted. I think I will opt for an electrical contractor on this one. I need some other small electrical work done anyways so I'll throw this in with it. Art, would you recommend just putting a solid outlet cover over it (like this one: http://cdn.mscdirect.com/global/images/ProductImages/0118955-11.jpg) until I'm able to get a contractor to come out? If I do this, any type of material I should opt for or avoid?

Don Meinke · Answer

What ever you do... dont back stab the wires. I 'used' to change these hot,,but nobody ever accused me of being too smart. Its an easy thing to learn. Plug a drill or saw into it carefully and trip breakers till it quits. If no one ever learned new d-i-y tricks it would be a dull world!!!