Quck answer
Reverse polarity receptacles occur when the hot and neutral wires are reversed. This can be dangerous as it can lead to electrical shock or damage to appliances. To fix reverse polarity receptacles, follow these steps:
1. Turn off the power to the receptacle from the circuit breaker.
2. Remove the cover plate and unscrew the receptacle from the box.
3. Identify the hot and neutral wires using a voltage tester.
4. Swap the wires by disconnecting them from the receptacle and reconnecting them correctly.
5. Screw the receptacle back into the box and replace the cover plate.
6. Turn on the power and test the receptacle with a voltage tester to ensure it is functioning correctly.
By following these steps, you can fix reverse polarity receptacles and ensure the safety of your electrical system.
If you’ve just bought a new home and received a call from the electrical inspector informing you that your electrical outlets have reverse polarity, don’t panic. Reverse polarity simply means that the wires on one or more of your receptacles have been connected incorrectly. This could be due to a color-blind electrician. Here’s how you can safely and easily fix receptacles with reverse polarity.
Step 1
Start by checking all the receptacles in your home to identify the ones with reverse polarity. You can use a plug-in voltage tester for this. The tester will have a chart indicating which lights should illuminate when plugged into a properly wired outlet, and what each light combination means.
Step 2
Once you’ve identified the receptacle(s) with reverse polarity, leave the plug-in tester plugged in and locate the circuit breaker that supplies power to that line. Turn it OFF. When you return to the receptacle, none of the lights on the tester should be lit up. If they are, you’ve turned off the wrong breaker and should try again.
Step 3
With the power to that circuit turned OFF, remove the cover plate and the two screws holding the receptacle to the wall box. Gently pull the receptacle out of the box. If there are any other wires in the box, use a touch-style voltage tester to ensure they are also not live. If they are, locate the circuit breaker supplying power to them and turn it OFF.
Step 4
Inspect the receptacle. In a receptacle with reverse polarity, the white (neutral) wire will be connected to the hot side (copper screw) and the black (feed) wire will be connected to the neutral side (silver screw). The bare or green wire should be connected to the green ground screw on the receptacle.
Step 5
Simply disconnect the white and black wires and reconnect them to their correct sides of the receptacle. The black wire should be connected to the dark or copper-colored screw, and the white wire should be connected to the silver screw. If the wire appears brittle or damaged, use wire strippers to cut away the old wire and expose a fresh 3/4 inch section of insulation.
Step 6
For added safety, wrap a strip of electrical tape around the screw terminals. Then, reattach the receptacle to the wall box and secure the cover plate.
Step 7
Plug the plug-in tester back into the receptacle and turn the circuit breakers back on. When you return to the receptacle, the tester should indicate proper wiring. If, for any reason, it still shows reverse polarity, the issue may be in another receptacle or a junction box. In that case, it’s best to call a licensed electrician.
