How to Wire an Outlet and Add together an Electrical Outlet

Use this easy method to install a new electrical outlet without a lot of wire pulling.

Time

A full twenty-four hours

Complexity

Intermediate

Cost

Less than $xx

Introduction

Eliminate those ugly and frequently dangerous extension cords. You can add together a new outlet rapidly and easily without tearing open a wall, if you already take an electrical outlet in the other side of the wall. No extra holes. No messy patching and repainting. The procedure nosotros testify here allowed u.s.a. to middle our Boob tube against a wall in the family room that had no outlet. Since in that location was already an electrical outlet in the other side of that same wall (facing into an adjacent sleeping accommodation), we but added a new outlet in the family room, cartoon power from the sleeping room outlet.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Electrical cable
  • Receptacle (outlet)
  • Remodeling box
  • Wire connectors

You'll Need to Observe a Power Source

This technique simply works if you can use an electrical outlet as a power source that's opposite, or almost opposite, the identify where you desire your new wall outlet. To make up one's mind how to wire an outlet and whether you can safely use existing electrical outlets, follow the list below.

Yous Can Employ Another Electrical Outlet When:

  1. If a switch or outlet is on a circuit that frequently blows its breaker or fuse. (Don't make matters worse by adding nevertheless another outlet to the circuit.)
  2. Electrical codes restrict the number of lights or electrical outlets that tin be connected to i circuit. Typically, you lot can accept no more viii lights or electrical outlets on a xv-amp circuit. To determine the amp rating of a circuit, merely look at the number on its billow or fuse in your master electric panel. Plough off the excursion and examination calorie-free switches and other outlets to determine exactly which lights or outlets are on a given circuit.
  3. Most electric codes now require outlets in kitchens and bathrooms to be on dissever 20-amp GFCI circuits. So before using the method we prove here for how to wire a wall outlet in a kitchen or bathroom, check with an electrical inspector. If you add an outlet to a kitchen or bath, it must exist GFCI protected. Don't power your new outlet from a kitchen or bathroom outlet.
  4. Codes also limit the number of wires that can enter an electric box or electric receptacle, depending on the inside volume of the box and the guess of the wires. The outlet-add-on methods nosotros show here are based on the most mutual wiring (14-gauge wire on a xv-amp circuit) and an 18-cu.-in. box (typical within dimensions are almost 2-in. x 3-1/4 in. ten iii-in. deep). If the circuit is 20-amp — which means thicker, 12-guess wire — or if the existing box is smaller than 18 cu. in., y'all can't wire a new wall outlet as we show here unless you replace the existing box with a larger ane. Plastic box sizes are stamped on the within at the back.

Always confirm the required box size with your local edifice inspector. In most regions, yous need an electrical permit for this work from your local building section. This helps ensure a safe job. These are the viii most common national electric code violations.

Watch this video to learn how to install an electrical box in any room in your home:

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Work Safely

Before you lot tackle any part of this project, turn off the power to the circuit at the primary electrical panel by switching off the breaker or removing the fuse.

Earlier touching any blank wires or terminals on a switch or outlet, use a voltage tester on all the wires to make sure the power is off. If you accept one-time, fabric-insulated wiring, call an electrician to recommend safe connections. With wiring an outlet like this, there'due south ordinarily no basis wire and it'south hard to tell the hot wire from the neutral, because both are coated with black insulation.

Project footstep-past-footstep (5)

Step 1

Shut Off the Electrical Outlet

  • Turn off the power at the main panel.  Find the right breaker and turn information technology off.
  • Once y'all've determined the electric outlet to use as a ability source and shut it off, use an electronic stud finder to locate the studs on both sides.
  • You can put your new outlet anywhere between these two studs.
  • Unscrew the outlet and use a voltage tester to double-check that the power is off.
  • With either lead touching a basis wire (bare copper), touch the other lead offset to the neutral terminals (argent colored), and then to the hot terminals (gold colored).
  • If the light glows with either contact, the circuit is withal live.
  • Hold the face of the new electrical box against the wall where you desire information technology to go, and trace effectually it with a pencil.
  • Cut out the hole with a drywall saw.
    • Pro tip: Be sure to buy a "remodeling" box that can exist secured to the drywall, not i that must be mounted on a stud.
  • Side by side, using a screwdriver, unscrew the existing outlet on the other side of the wall outlet from its box and punch out ane of the knock-outs at the back of the box.

Hither'southward how to utilize electrical testers.

Aluminum wiring requires special handling. If yous take aluminum wiring, call in a licensed pro who's certified to piece of work with it. This wiring is dull gray, not the dull orange that's characteristic of copper.

Shut off the electrical outlet

Step 2

Feed New Cable into the Wall

  • Feed a length of new cablevision through one of the knock-out holes at the back of the existing box (punch out the hole with a screwdriver).
  • Feed through enough cable to reach the new box plus an extra human foot.
  • Utilize 14-judge wire for a 15-amp circuit.

Feed new cable into the wall

Step 3

Rewire the Existing Electrical Outlet

  • Connect the wires of the new cablevision to the existing wires.
  • Strip about ten inches of plastic capsule from the new cable to expose the black, white and copper wires.
  • Run the new cable, with sheathing, at least two inches up inside the box, and double over the excess wires to assist concord the cablevision in place.
  • Strip 5/viii-in. of insulation off the ends and connect the wires from the new cablevision to the existing bundles — white to white, black to blackness, ground to ground.
  • Utilise new wire connectors of acceptable size for the four wires in each parcel.

Rewire the existing electrical outlet

Footstep 4

Fish the Cable to the New Location

  • Mark the opening for the new box and cut it out with a drywall saw.
  • Fish for the new cablevision with a hook made from a wire coat hanger.
  • Pull the cablevision through the opening cut in the wall.
  • And then strip about 9 inches of sheathing off the stop of the cablevision. Insert the cablevision so the sheath extends about one inch into the box and mount the box in the wall.

Fish the cable to the new location

Stride v

Wire the New Electrical Outlet

  • Mount the new box in the opening.
  • Connect the new wires to the new outlet: white (neutral) wire to a silvery-colored terminal screw; black (hot) wire to a gold-colored terminal screw; bare wire to the dark-green grounding screw.
  • Brand certain the cable sheath remains secured inside the box
  • Finally, call the electric inspector to check your piece of work.

Wire the new electrical outlet

Originally Published: June 17, 2022