Reversed Polarity At Electrical Outlet

A common electrical issue that home inspectors find is electrical outlets that have hot and neutral wires reversed, or reversed polarity. While this is generally an easy fix, uncorrected it presents a potential shock hazard for a home’s occupants.

Reversed polarity occurs when an electrical outlets wiring is installed backwards (hot in the neutral screw, and neutral in the hot screw). The screws for these wires are color coded. The neutral wire should be connected to the silver screw, and the hot wire connected to the gold screw. This can happen at an individual outlet or upstream from an outlet. This improper condition is common when unqualified persons perform electrical updates in a home.