There are different reasons to add electrical outlets to your house or apartment. It might be for convenience, better lighting power or for safety if the current outlets need updated. Whatever your reason, you do not have to be a licensed professional to install outlets. Follow the steps below to learn how to install electrical outlets on your own.
Step 1: Shut off power in the location where you will be working. You can use a circuit tester to ensure the electricity has been turned off. You might want to put duct or masking tape over the breaker with a “don’t touch” note to ensure safety of others who might be coming through this area.
Step 2: Measure distances from where you will be installing the outlet to where the electricity will be tied in, or the electrical panel. That distance will tell you how much wire you will need. Purchase that amount of wire, plus an additional 30 to 50 centimeters for extra length just in case.
Step 3: Make the decision as to where you will be running the wire: from the attic to the panel or from under the floor. You will have holes drilled already with wire through them. Find a hole and push the wire to the panel and pull out the extra wire. Then, cut a hole for the new outlet in your sheetrock (or what your interior wall surface is). Drill a hole into your wall through the floor, or the top plate of your wall and run a new wire to the outlet you have installed.
Step 4: You will need to hook up three wires to the electrical panel. The breaker will have a wire hook up that is black, and a neutral bar also will be there. The white wire will hook up to that. A ground wire will feed to the ground bar. You will need to attach wire ends to the corresponding screws in the outlet. The black wire will correspond with the brass screw, and the white wire goes with the silver screw. Finally, the ground wire and green screw go together.
Step 5: Next, screw the new outlet in place in the box. Install a cover and go to the electrical panel and turn on your breaker. You will need to check the power in this new outlet. Put the cover on your panel.
Tips
- The amperage and voltage of the circuit should match that of the wire you are using.
- Your wires should have three ends: the hot conductor wire is black, the neutral wire is white and a ground wire should be connected. Each end of the wire connections should be cleaned.
- Always be safe when you are performing electrical work. If you know someone who has expertise in this area, have them help or supervise you.
Items Needed
- Electrical outlets
- Wires
- Drill
- Duct or masking tape
- Measuring tape
- Breaker box