Hey everyone! I was trying to adjust the depth of an outlet when the neutral and ground wires snapped off, but the hot wire is still connected. I don't have the tools right now to fix it before heading to work. How safe is it to leave the outlet like this for the day? Also, I found my wire stripper later and reconnected the wires, but I didn't turn off the breaker because I'm unsure which circuit it's on. I plan to get a voltage tester soon. Any advice?
3 Answers
I’d cap the wires with some wire nuts and tape over the outlet to avoid anyone accidentally using it until you can properly fix it. Just so you know, it’s really not safe to leave it hanging loose like that!
Definitely turn off the breaker if you can! If the circuit doesn’t need to be on, just leave it off until you get a chance to make the repairs. If you need the outlet on and can't shut off the breaker, at least cap the wires with some wire nuts to ensure safety. Just make sure you have some basic tools ready for when you do fix it.
It's probably okay to leave it for a day if no one will be using that outlet, but I really wouldn’t risk it. If you're able to shut the breaker off before you leave, do that! Better safe than sorry. If you have kids or pets around, definitely make sure it's turned off.