Plugging into Sockets

With some simple techniques, you can locate your outlets and plug in all your electrical devices. First, let's talk about finding an outlet.

You can start by tracing the plate around the socket with your fingers. Keep your fingers flat, use the pads of your fingers, not your fingernails, to explore the outlet plate. You'll be able to feel if it's a two or three pronged outlet. Sometimes, you can find the socket by locating the center screw on the plate. If the plate itself is on its side, the sockets are likely on the right or left of the screw. If the plate is upright, the sockets are usually above and below the screw.

Raised dots can help you locate sockets too, these are tactile markers you can stick on the plate right next to the socket. Once you locate the marker, you can use the pads of your fingers to explore the socket before trying to push in your plug. If you're not familiar with using tactile markers, check out our labeling workshops or go to the resources section of this workshop.

If you'd like to make the outlet easier to see, contrasts can help. Put light tape around the outlet if you have a dark wall, or dark tape if you have a light wall. It'll stand out. You can also use a handheld magnifier to help you see what you're doing when you push a plug into a socket, but that may depend where the socket is. Bending way over to magnify a floor level socket might be more trouble than it's worth, but in all cases, good lighting can really help brighten the outlet area and improve visibility.

Once you've found the socket, it's time to plug in your device. And just a reminder, make sure it's off before you plug it in. If you can't find the plug, find the cord where it comes out of the device. Trail or follow the cord away from the device until you reach the plug. And if you do this, you'll also have the chance to feel if the cord is damaged or cracked.

Now put two fingers of your free hand on the two holes of the socket. Bring the prongs of the plug in so they touch those fingertips right where they meet the socket holes. Slide your fingers away, and at the same time, push in the plug. If the plug doesn't go in the first time, flip it over and try again. Now that your device is plugged in, you're ready to go. With these simple techniques, you can locate your outlets and plug things in. For more information on home maintenance, contact the learning expert and check out the entire workshop series on home maintenance.