Help replacing outlet with keyless bulb

Submitted by imdoingmyroutine t3_10ybgef in DIY

I am quite new with wiring and my knowledge so far basically just extends to how to safely replace sockets/stitches etc. I ran across this weird old painted over outlet at my house and am trying to replace it with the bulb socket shown in photos. I see that 2 different white wires are coming into it coming from 2 separate wires. Would love some help understanding what is going on and how i should wire up new outlet. thanks!

photos here https://imgur.com/a/YCjo42C

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ProblimaticSolutions t1_j7x8rwz wrote

Well that's not confusing at all, lol.

Here's my guess: the 4 conductor wire (black/white/red/ground) is coming from the breaker box (with everything disconnected the red/black wires would be hot with the breaker on) and the 3 conductor wire (black/white/ground) feeds the rest of the circuit.

You'd want to use the red wire (hot) to the brass screw and a pigtailed* white wire (neutral) connected to the other white wires to the silver screw. Pigtail* a ground wire with the other ones and put it on the green screw. The black (hot) wires don't need to be touched.

I would also wrap those ground wires up with electrical tape and/or cover the connections on the back of the new part because with those connections being open and the ground wires not being shielded there's a good chance of creating a short as you shove everything together when you're done.

*explanation video here

Edit: Didn't think about it being a switched outlet like the other post says. Haven't had to deal with those so feel free to ignore all but the last part about eliminating the possibility of a short.

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wardseths t1_j7x61lm wrote

Two whites are neutrals going onto the silver screw. You'll need a third wire coming from the two whites to connect to the light socket. The red goes straight to the gold screw. It's the return wire from the black hots in that box go to the switch and come back on the red to turn it on. If you wanted the light to be on all the time you'd hook into the blacks.

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wardseths t1_j7x678j wrote

Sorry if that's over explained. You need a white pigtail and hook the red straight to the gold screw. Make a hook on the end of the wire to go under the screw.

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imdoingmyroutine OP t1_j7x7hpx wrote

Thanks so much for the reply, this is what I thought I needed but just wanted to confirm!

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imdoingmyroutine OP t1_j80igsq wrote

I did this and now one of the switches that controls a ceiling light isn't working and the light is always on. Any idea what I messed up?

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wardseths t1_j81fn53 wrote

Can I ask how the plug worked before? Did it come on with the ceiling light? Was it always on?

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imdoingmyroutine OP t1_j81gcjg wrote

I figured it out! it was a coincidence as i also changed every outlet in the room and didn't realize i had to remove the tabs for switch-controlled outlets! It was def a learning experience and i feel like i have a slightly better understanding of wiring and electric now. Thanks again for your help!

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