Electrical outlets can become damaged or loose — an annual inspection finds those that are worse for the wear. It can also detect an incorrectly wired or ungrounded outlet.
Time — 5 minutes per outlet
Difficulty — Easy
Expertise — None
Frequency — Once a year
Where — All US
Steps
- Remove the outlet cover and inspect the outlet (not the plate) for physical damage to the sockets, outlet box or wiring.
- If the outlet is undamaged, plug a 3-prong socket tester into it and wiggle the tester to see if the outlet is loose. Have any loose outlets repaired.
- Read the indicator lights on the socket tester. For most testers, the lights mean the following:
- Two green lights indicate the outlet functions correctly.
- A single green light means the outlet has power, but is not grounded. In essence, it is a 2-prong outlet, which is safe only for 2-prong plugs. If you want to use a 3-prong appliance, have the outlet repaired.
- Amber or red light indicates a serious fault that should be corrected. Don’t use the outlet until it's repaired.
- If you have no power, check the circuit breaker or fuse. If the circuit breaker or fuse is fine, the problem is with the outlet. Have it repaired.
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