Wiring Outlets in Parallel

Wiring outlets in parallel is a more common alternative to wiring in series. The advantage to wiring in parallel is that each outlet in circuit is to a certain extent isolated. Should one outlet fail or a bulb inserted in one light fixture burn out, the whole chain will not be affected. Series wiring works like Christmas lights. One burned-out bulb and the whole thing fails to work. Parallel wiring is used in homes because of the reliable self containment of each outlet or light fixture. It is more practical to install circuit interruptors (outlets) that allow current to flow past them even if they fail than to have the whole circuit interrupted by one bad outlet. 

Parallel Wiring of Outlets

Current flows through a circuit from the main circuit panel to each receptacle in its path. Home circuit panels are usually fitted with 15-amp or 20-amp circuits. Each of these can provide power in parallel to six or more outlets. To do this, the hot, neutral and ground wire from the circuit panel will extend to the first outlet in the chain and on to the next and the next until the end of the circuit. Each outlet is a circuit interruptor but provides power independently of the others. For the job, you need plastic outlet boxes, an equal number of outlets, wire nuts and the appropriate amount of Romex cable. For 15a circuits you will use 14/2 Romex. For 20a circuits you want 12/2 Romex. Turn off power to the circuit before you begin. 

Outlets in the Middle of the Circuit

Every outlet until the last is considered in the middle of the circuit. Run the Romex up in through the bottom of the first outlet box and remove 6 inches of the outer insulation to separate the three wires inside. There will be a black, white and bare or green wire. Strip 1 inch of insulation off of the black and white wires and green if present. There should be five screws on the outlet itself: two silver, two brass and one green. Attach the white wire to the lower silver screw and the black wire to the lower of the brass screws. 

Now feed enough Romex through the top hole in the outlet box and extend it to the next outlet, bringing it through the bottom hole in the second outlet box. Leave 6 inches extending into the first box and 6 inches coming into the second box. Go back to the first outlet and strip the wires in the same way. Connect the second white wire to the upper silver screw and the black to the upper brass screw. Connect a small piece of (bare or green) ground wire to the green screw on the first outlet and pigtail the other end of that plus the 2 ground wires coming into and leading out of the first box. You pigtail them by twisting the three wires together and screwing a wire nut over the end. 

Other Outlets in the Middle

Complete each of the outlets in the middle of the circuit in the same manner. Lead into each outlet box from the bottom and exit through the top to the next outlet. Make a pigtail with the ground wires in each box, connecting a small length of bare or green wire from each pigtail to the green screw on the outlet. This will require that you have an extra length of wire for the ground connections. 

End of the Circuit

When you reach the last outlet, you will only enter into the outlet box with the Romex. The circuit will go no farther. Strip the Romex in the box, strip the individual hot and neutral wires, connect the white to the upper silver screw and the black to the upper brass screw. Pigtail the ground wire from the Romex with a length of ground wire connected to the green screw. 

With the last outlet, the circuit is wired in parallel. Check each of your connections again, but don’t affix the outlets to the wall just yet. Turn power back on to the circuit and check each outlet for power. Once you are satisfied they are all working properly, fasten them to their respective boxes and cover them with their faceplate.