Switches and Sockets

One of the easiest, cheapest, and most dramatic changes we could make right away was to change out the dirty cream colored switches and sockets (as well as the covers) for white ones. We will eventually paint all of the trim white, so switching these out is the first step towards a modern look for this home.

This is the cream color. Dirty. Very 90s.

We purchased the new white switches and sockets along with the covers at Home Depot. They're relatively cheap and over 50 of them with the plate covers cost about $30. The task wasn't too difficult. We started in the liquor/sitting room, then moved to the dining room. 

Step 1: Turn off circuit
Step 2: Remove plate and pull out interior portion
Step 3: Test wires to ensure none are live
Step 4: Remove wires on socket or switch

Step 5: Attach new wires on socket or switch

Step 6: Put socket/switch back into the wall box

Step 7: Install plate cover

Step 8: Turn circuit on

A finished socket.

This was a very complicated socket. Not only did it have two positive leads, two negative leads, and a ground wire, there was a third set of leads attached to the back. The leads are all 12 gauge wires, but the connection holes for the new sockets have been standardized at 14 gauge wires (smaller holes). We thought that six leads was a bit excessive, so we safely capped off one set. When we connected the rest of the leads and turned the circuits back on, our oven wouldn't work. We figured the whole circuit must be in series (if one part isn't connected, the whole circuit is broken) instead of in parallel (the circuit will still work if one part is broken). We figured we will have to take the 12 gauge to 14 gauge to connect the new socket correctly.

We did the sitting room and the dining room one day, and the living room a little later.

Next up: Painting the living room!