Electrical Outlet Installation

Electrical outlet installation is not difficult. Follow the easy steps below for a safe and successful project.

Step 1 – Disconnect from Power Supply

Go to the basement and find the appropriate switch in the circuit breaker panel. Turn off the power supply to the outlet. Double check it using a voltage tester.

Step 2 - Drill a Hole for the Outlet Box

Put the base of the outlet box against the wall in such way that the cable comes out through the hole in it. Mark an outline on the wall. Drill a hole so that the box can fit into it.

Step3 - Place the Base of the Outlet Box

The outlet box may be made of metal, plastic or fiber. Fix the base of it to the hole you made in the wall. The cable should come out through the hole in the box.  Strip off about quarter inch of the end of the wires in the cable.

Step 4 – Note the Wire Size

Wire sizes can be 14 gauge or 12 gauge. 14 gauge wires are used for 15 amp current. These are suitable for low current applications like lamp. 12 gauge wires are used for 20 amp current. These are suitable for appliances like heater, air conditioner  which consume more power. You need to get the correct outlet depending on the wire size.

Step5 – Note the Wire Configuration

You will see three types of wires- white, black and red. The black one is the live wire. It is to be secured under brass or gold screw in the outlet.  The white one is the neutral wire. It is to be secured under silver screw in the outlet. The white closes the circuit and prevents the electricity from shorting. The green or bare one is the ground wire which is to be connected to the outlet using a green screw. There may be one of each of the wires or multiple white and black wires. In case of multiple white and black wires put marks so that you know which wire be connected to which screw.

Step6 -  Connect the Wires

Connect the wires to the outlet using the appropriate screws. If you are using a metallic outlet box then you need to ground the box. For that cut two copper wires. Each of them should be around eight inches in length. Combine these 2 wires and the striped portion of the ground wire under a wire nut. The free end of wire will be secured under the green screw in the outlet. Connect the other free end to the metallic box with a green screw.

Now, wrap the outer edges of the outlet with black tape to cover the screws and naked end of the wires.

Step7 - Connect the outlet to the box

Fix the outlet to the outlet box with screw. Attach the face plate of the outlet box to close it. Finally, restore the power to the outlet.