How to add an outlet
#1
04-14-12, 06:02 PM
How to add an outlet
I live in the U.S. and would like to add an outlet to an existing (old) outlet. The old outlet has a red, black, white and ground wire. This outlet is always on and is NOT controlled by a switch. Also, the metal tab between where the red wire attaches at the top of the outlet and where the black wire attaches at the bottom of the outlet is not broken. My new outlet would only have black, white and ground wire. What is the best way to add the additional outlet, please?
#3
04-14-12, 06:54 PM
There are a total of 2 sets (each contains red, black, white and ground) of wires coming into the outlet. First set is attached as follows: white attached to screw at side/top of outlet, red to screw at side/top of outlet, black to screw at side/bottom of outlet, ground connected to second set of wires. The second set coming in (also red, black, white, and ground) is attached as follows: white attached to screw at side/bottom of outlet, red is inserted to back/top of outlet, black is inserted to back/bottom of outlet, ground connected to other set.
#4
04-14-12, 06:58 PM
Oh, sorry, to further answer your question....I do not know where this outlet is fed from...this outlet is obviously in the middle of a string or run of outlets, but I am not positive to where or from where.
#5
04-14-12, 06:58 PM
First set is attached as follows: white attached to screw at side/top of outlet, red to screw at side/top of outlet, black to screw at side/bottom of outlet, ground connected to second set of wires. The second set coming in (also red, black, white,
#7
04-14-12, 10:55 PM
There are a total of 2 sets (each contains red, black, white and ground) of wires coming into the outlet. First set is attached as follows: white attached to screw at side/top of outlet, red to screw at side/top of outlet, black to screw at side/bottom of outlet, ground connected to second set of wires. The second set coming in (also red, black, white, and ground) is attached as follows: white attached to screw at side/bottom of outlet, red is inserted to back/top of outlet, black is inserted to back/bottom of outlet, ground connected to other set.
I would turn off breakers until there was no power in the box where this receptacle is mounted, noting whether it took more than one to kill all power. Then I would remove the receptacle and disconnect all of the wires. I would separate and cap the wires. Then I would turn on any breakers that were off, one at a time, and test to see which of them sent power to this box.
