Install Electrical Floor Outlet Box Extensions

Brush up on your basic electrical and wiring knowledge before you begin any job, including how to install electric floor outlet box extensions. Be sure you always follow local and national electrical codes while you work. Also be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. You may find that the wiring in the wall is not quite long enough to reach the new outlet you are installing. If this is the case, you will need to install an extension.

Step 1 – Locate the Electric Panel

The first thing you must do when working with anything electrical is to be sure the power is turned off. If you are replacing an existing outlet, you should turn off the power to it. Often times the breakers are marked by the builder but sometimes they are incorrect. You may have to turn the breakers on and off, one by one, until you locate the correct one for your wire source. Always be sure to test with a circuit tester before beginning work.

Step 2 – Remove Existing Outlet

You will remove the outlet box in the same way that it was installed. Remove any screws holding the plate cover onto the box and pull the unit out. If there was a bead of caulk placed between the outlet box and the subfloor, you may need to release this. You can use a flat screwdriver or a chisel and gently slide it under the lip and slowly pry it out. Do this gently so as not to damage the unit incase you want to use it again and so as not to damage any more of your floor. Once the caulk is released, you can easily remove the outlet box. 

Step 3 – Attach the Outlet Extension Kit

Your outlet extension kit should contain wire consisting of white, black, and bare copper (or green). Using the wire strippers, strip several inches of jacket from the white and black wires. Locate the gold and silver screws on your existing outlet. Attach the newly exposed white wire to the silver screw and the black wire to the gold screw.Tighten down snugly. Next attach the bare copper wire (or green wire) to the green screw on the outlet box. This is your grounding wire.

Step 4 – Run the Wire

Run the wire through the walls to the new location. If the three wires in the kit are contained in a single larger jacket, you can run it as is. If it is not, they must be contained. When running the wire, be sure to allow some slack. This will make it easier to wire in the new outlet. Replace face plate on the old outlet.

Step 5 – Install New Outlet

Following the manufacturer’s instructions for drilling the hole, connect the new outlet, matching the colored wires to the same, and place the new outlet in the new hole.

Step 6 – Test the System

It is always important to test the system with a circuit tester to be sure all wiring is correct.