Correcting An Improperly Wired Recepticle

Use a voltmeter or receptacle tester/analyzer to check the wiring on your receptacle. WIth a voltmeter, the voltage between the hot (narrow) prong and the ground (semi-circle) prong should measure about 100-125 volts. There should be no reading between the neutral (wider) prong and the ground prong. If these readings are reversed, the outlet has reverse polarity. To correct the problem, the receptacle must be removed from its box and wired as listed below:

• Hot (black) wire connected to the brass screw (or the side with the narrow prong)
• Neutral (white) wire connected to the silver screw (or the side with the wider prong)
• Ground (bare wire) connected to the green screw

Warning: Turn off all power to the outlet and verify the power has been cut off to the outlet before attempting to repair any outlet on your own. Electrical work is best left to a qualified professional electrician.