This Hidden Outlet Feature Will Blow Your MindEven Electricians Miss It
This is one of those rare hacks that ought to be common knowledge but somehow remains buried in obscurity.
“I’ve spent over four decades swapping out electrical outlets and had no clue this existed. Huge thanks for shedding light on it with this video.”
We never know when tools will come in handy.
Whether you’re a man or a woman, sometimes you’ve got to roll up your sleeves and dive into the grit of fixing or crafting something yourself. During the height of the pandemic, many of us had no choice but to become our own handymen learning, adapting, and doing it all solo.
Tackling electrical wiring ranks among the most intricate and demanding tasks in any DIY or home repair project.
The risk it carries can be deadly, often leading to irreversible consequences. Alarming statistics reveal that 37.14% of electricity-related injuries stem from electrocution an overwhelming 78.06% of which take place within the supposed safety of our own homes.
Faulty electrical wiring is also a leading cause of home fires.
Across the United States, an estimated 51,000 residential electrical fires erupt annually leaving a staggering $1.3 billion trail of destruction in their wake. In a single year, these incidents claimed nearly 500 lives and inflicted over 1,400 injuries, painting a grim picture of just how devastating faulty wiring can be.
But don’t worry we’re not here to spook you out of handling electrical projects at home!
Instead, here’s a helpful tip and life hack you may or may not have known before.
Did you know your power outlet has two useful tools?
Yes! The YouTube video at the end of this article will show you both tools and how to use them.
One: a bare wire meter.
On the reverse side of the outlet, there’s a narrow, elongated slot tucked along one edge. Its function is straightforward yet surprisingly handy it indicates exactly how much insulation to strip off the wire for proper side wiring. A small detail, but incredibly practical.
The other tool may surprise you.
Did you know your outlet has wire strippers?
Yes, it’s that small metal tab positioned at one end of the outlet. Look closely and you’ll notice two distinct slots one on the left for 14-gauge wires, the other on the right tailored for 12-gauge wires.
Curious how to put this built-in guide to use? It’s refreshingly straightforward.
Once you’ve gauged the exact length to strip using the built-in measuring guide, insert the wire into the designated slot. Gently rock the outlet back and forth a few times. This motion neatly slices through the wire’s insulation, preparing it for a clean connection.
Next, push the wire stripper in while pulling the wire.
Voilà! Your electrical cable is stripped and ready for the next step: side wiring.
You might ask: why and when would I need this?
Admittedly, it’s not the first tool you’d reach for when stripping wires. Dedicated wire strippers are undeniably more precise and efficient. But in a pinch when your toolkit is out of reach this hidden feature might just save the day.
With this trick in the video below, you’ll be ready to strip wires in no time. Welcome!
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Article Sources: seejanedrill The Spruce National Library of Medicine ESFi.org
