_:n6b9bebe6bd0c4ebba31f0fa80830fb3dxb3
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"It is very common to find this in older homes.  The cause is that when the new outlets were installed they were done wrong. And to no fault of anyone other then the home owner who did it. \n\nOlder wires when you look at them had a black wire (hot) and white wire (Neutral) But you really need to look at them closer.  A covering over the old wires was backwards. There was oftentimes a covering over the wires that appeared to be black and white. But if you removed this covering you would find exactly the opposite was true. The wire coated with white had black wire and the black coated wire was really white. Go figure.  \n\nIf your outlets are non-grounded, and your only using them for a clock radio, or perhaps a lamp.  I would not worry to much about that. But if your using this outlet for electronic equipment that requires a third ground wire or surge protection, then you need to turn off power, remove outlet and put the white wire where the black is and the black where the white is.  That is all that is needed to correct this. Ten turn power back on. \nBe careful as these older wires have brittle coverings that can crack. if needed a little tape on the wires is not a bad thing also."
<https://www.hometalk.com/137558/q-wall-plugs-in-dining-room-reading-hot-grn-reversed>