How to Wire an Outlet and Add an Electric Outlet

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

Fourth dimension

A full twenty-four hours

Complication

Intermediate

Cost

Less than $20

Introduction

Eliminate those ugly and often dangerous extension cords. You can add a new outlet rapidly and easily without tearing open up a wall, if yous already have an electrical outlet in the other side of the wall. No extra holes. No messy patching and repainting. The process we evidence here allowed us to eye our Television against a wall in the family room that had no outlet. Since there was already an electric outlet in the other side of that same wall (facing into an adjacent bedroom), we just added a new outlet in the family unit room, drawing power from the bedroom outlet.

Tools Required

Materials Required

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

You'll Need to Find a Power Source

This technique just works if you tin can employ an electrical outlet equally a power source that's contrary, or about opposite, the place where you want your new wall outlet. To determine how to wire an outlet and whether you tin can safely utilise existing electrical outlets, follow the list below.

You Can Use Another Electrical Outlet When:

  1. If a switch or outlet is on a circuit that oft blows its breaker or fuse. (Don't make matters worse by adding yet another outlet to the excursion.)
  2. Electrical codes restrict the number of lights or electrical outlets that tin be connected to one circuit. Typically, you can have no more than eight lights or electrical outlets on a xv-amp circuit. To decide the amp rating of a circuit, just look at the number on its billow or fuse in your main electrical console. Turn off the circuit and exam light switches and other outlets to determine exactly which lights or outlets are on a given circuit.
  3. Well-nigh electrical codes at present require outlets in kitchens and bathrooms to be on separate 20-amp GFCI circuits. So before using the method we evidence here for how to wire a wall outlet in a kitchen or bathroom, check with an electric inspector. If you add an outlet to a kitchen or bath, it must be GFCI protected. Don't ability your new outlet from a kitchen or bathroom outlet.
  4. Codes too limit the number of wires that tin enter an electric box or electrical receptacle, depending on the inside volume of the box and the gauge of the wires. The outlet-addition methods nosotros bear witness here are based on the nearly common wiring (14-estimate wire on a fifteen-amp circuit) and an 18-cu.-in. box (typical inside dimensions are nearly 2-in. x 3-1/4 in. ten 3-in. deep). If the circuit is xx-amp — which means thicker, 12-judge wire — or if the existing box is smaller than 18 cu. in., you can't wire a new wall outlet as we testify here unless you replace the existing box with a larger i. Plastic box sizes are stamped on the inside at the back.

Ever confirm the required box size with your local building inspector. In most regions, you need an electrical permit for this work from your local building department. This helps ensure a safe chore. These are the 8 most mutual national electrical code violations.

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

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Piece of work Safely

Earlier you tackle any part of this projection, plough off the power to the excursion at the main electric panel by switching off the billow or removing the fuse.

Before touching any bare wires or terminals on a switch or outlet, use a voltage tester on all the wires to make sure the ability is off. If you accept old, fabric-insulated wiring, phone call an electrician to recommend safe connections. With wiring an outlet like this, there's usually no basis wire and it's difficult to tell the hot wire from the neutral, because both are coated with black insulation.

Projection step-past-step (5)

Step 1

Shut Off the Electrical Outlet

  • Turn off the power at the main panel.  Observe the correct breaker and turn it off.
  • Once you've adamant the electric outlet to use as a ability source and shut information technology off, use an electronic stud finder to locate the studs on both sides.
  • Yous can put your new outlet anywhere between these 2 studs.
  • Unscrew the outlet and utilise a voltage tester to double-check that the power is off.
  • With either pb touching a ground wire (bare copper), touch the other lead first to the neutral terminals (silverish colored), then to the hot terminals (golden colored).
  • If the light glows with either contact, the excursion is nonetheless live.
  • Hold the confront of the new electrical box confronting the wall where y'all want information technology to get, and trace around it with a pencil.
  • Cut out the hole with a drywall saw.
    • Pro tip: Be certain to buy a "remodeling" box that can be secured to the drywall, not ane that must exist mounted on a stud.
  • Next, using a screwdriver, unscrew the existing outlet on the other side of the wall outlet from its box and dial out one of the knock-outs at the back of the box.

Hither'south how to employ electrical testers.

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

Shut off the electrical outlet

Pace two

Feed New Cable into the Wall

  • Feed a length of new cable through one of the knock-out holes at the back of the existing box (dial out the hole with a screwdriver).
  • Feed through enough cable to accomplish the new box plus an extra pes.
  • Use 14-estimate wire for a 15-amp circuit.

Feed new cable into the wall

Stride 3

Rewire the Existing Electric Outlet

  • Connect the wires of the new cable to the existing wires.
  • Strip about x inches of plastic sheathing from the new cable to expose the black, white and copper wires.
  • Run the new cablevision, with sheathing, at least two inches up inside the box, and double over the excess wires to help concord the cable in identify.
  • Strip 5/8-in. of insulation off the ends and connect the wires from the new cable to the existing bundles — white to white, blackness to black, footing to ground.
  • Use new wire connectors of adequate size for the 4 wires in each parcel.

Rewire the existing electrical outlet

Pace iv

Fish the Cablevision to the New Location

  • Mark the opening for the new box and cut information technology out with a drywall saw.
  • Fish for the new cable with a claw made from a wire coat hanger.
  • Pull the cable through the opening cut in the wall.
  • Then strip about 9 inches of sheathing off the stop of the cable. Insert the cable and then the sheath extends about i inch into the box and mountain the box in the wall.

Fish the cable to the new location

Step 5

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 silver-colored terminal screw; black (hot) wire to a gold-colored terminal screw; bare wire to the greenish grounding screw.
  • Make sure the cable sheath remains secured inside the box
  • Finally, phone call the electrical inspector to bank check your piece of work.

Wire the new electrical outlet