How to Safely Cover a Floor Outlet

Floor outlets are very useful, as you can plug lamps, fixtures and other items into them, and not have cords stretching from the wall in an unsafe manner across the floor. Many times these are placed in the center of a large room where other sources of electrical power would be unattainable. If you find that you have a floor outlet that you no longer need or desire, you have a few options as to how to safely cover it.

If you don't want the outlet to remain in an inoperable state but still stay in place (wires disconnected and the unit replaced in the floor), you can remove it completely. This is something that can be done by the do-it-yourselfer, but if you're not comfortable working with electricity and don't have a basic knowledge of wiring and electrical components, it's probably best to have a professional remove it. A professional would remove the outlet and cap off the wires so they can be safely stored below your floor. You may find it is tricky to remove the outlet if there are other outlets or items along the same electrical line. If this were the case, you could not simply cap the wires but you would have to rewire it, making it in effect, a junction box. After the electrical work was completed, you would then just need to repair the floor and recover if necessary. The other option is the use of an outlet cover. The benefit of using an outlet cover is that you would still have a viable outlet that you can easily use again, with the simple removal of the cover. This would give you great flexibility in arrangement of furniture and other items. If you choose to do this, you simply need to buy the appropriate cover.

Outlet Cover from Original Manufacturer

The floor outlet would have come with a cover when it was first purchased. This is a cap which snaps over the top to cover the outlet. This provides for safety when the outlet is not in use. It can be tread upon, just as the outlet itself can, and withstand foot traffic. If you still have this, it is a simple matter to snap it back in place. If your original cover is missing, you can contact the manufacturer and order a new one.

Purchase a Cover from a Secondary Manufacturer

There are several manufacturers who produce outlet covers. A simple search of the Internet or an electrical supply store will provide you with many sources. These items are reasonably priced. You will need to find one that fits property into your existing outlet, so knowing the manufacturer of your outlet is important. Properly covering the outlet as well as it fitting flush is vital so as not to create an unsafe condition. These will come with all the hardware that you need to install them, including screws and sealing gaskets.