Centennial homes from the 1970s and 1980s were often wired with ungrounded two-prong outlets throughout much of the home and without the GFCI protection that current code requires in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and exterior locations. Upgrading these outlets improves safety, brings the home closer to current code, and updates the functionality of receptacles that have not changed in 40 years.

Outlet upgrades connect naturally to other electrical improvements. For homes that need new outlets in addition to upgraded ones, our outlet installation service adds receptacles where they are missing. For outlet repairs needed at the same time as upgrades, our outlet repair team handles both in the same visit. See all Centennial electrical services.

• GFCI outlet installation in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and exterior locations where ground fault protection is required by code but not currently present.
• Two-prong to three-prong outlet upgrades, using GFCI replacement as the code-compliant method for ungrounded circuits or running new grounded wiring where feasible.
• USB outlet installation at nightstands, kitchen counters, home offices, and anywhere built-in USB charging is more convenient than plug-in adapters.
• Smart outlet installation for app-controlled or voice-controlled power at specific locations throughout the home.
• Whole-home GFCI update to bring all required locations into compliance with current code in a single project visit.

Here are the outlet upgrade projects our Centennial electricians handle most often.

Why Do Older Centennial Homes Often Lack GFCI Protection?

GFCI protection requirements have been progressively expanded through updates to the National Electrical Code since the late 1960s. Homes built before each code update are not required to retrofit GFCI protection unless the wiring is substantially altered, which means a Centennial home from 1985 may legally have two-prong ungrounded outlets and no GFCI protection in locations that would require it in new construction today. Legal and safe are two different things, and WireNut recommends bringing GFCI protection up to current standards in older Centennial homes.

Adding GFCI protection to a whole home can be done efficiently in a single project visit. WireNut installs GFCI outlets at all required locations, including kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and exterior outlets, and tests each one to confirm proper function and protection before completing the project. This is one of the most cost-effective safety upgrades available for older Centennial homes.

What Is the Difference Between a GFCI Outlet and a Standard Three-Prong Outlet?

A standard three-prong grounded outlet provides a path for fault current to flow safely to ground through the grounding conductor in the wiring. This protects against shock from a faulty appliance but does not detect small current imbalances that can be dangerous. A GFCI outlet continuously monitors the current flowing on the hot and neutral conductors and trips within milliseconds when it detects a difference, which is the signature of current flowing through a person or an unintended ground path. GFCI protection is more sensitive than standard grounding and is required in high-risk locations regardless of whether the circuit is grounded.

In ungrounded circuits in older Centennial homes, installing a GFCI outlet provides the shock protection that grounding would not be able to provide anyway, since there is no grounding conductor to carry fault current. This is why GFCI replacement is the code-approved solution for upgrading ungrounded outlets without rewiring.