Adding an outlet to an existing


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Old 08-13-16, 04:49 AM
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Adding an outlet to an existing

I'm running a new outlet for my flat panel TV, and was planning on extending the power from the pictures below. I noticed multiple wires going into each. Is it safe to add the new wires for the new outlet to this?
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Old 08-13-16, 09:52 AM
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You have back stabs, wires inserted in to the back of the receptacle, these are less reliable. It is best to have all wires on the screws.

You have red wires which indicates half the receptacle is probably controlled by a switch. Is that correct? If so your new receptacle will need to come off the black wires not the red.

To run to your new receptacle run a new 2-conductor cable to the box from the new receptacle. Disconnect all the wires from the existing receptacle and:
  • Connect the two reds to a red pigtail and the pigtail to a brass screw.
  • Connect all the blacks to a black pigtail* and the pigtail to the other brass screw.
  • Connect all the whites to a white pigtail and the pigtail to either silver screw.
  • Pigtail all grounds to the green screw.
Assumes the tab is broken between the brass screws.

*A pigtail is a 6"-8" length of wire the same color and size of the ones you are connecting to. THHN/THWN wire can be used or it can be stripped from NM-b cable.
 

Last edited by ray2047; 08-13-16 at 08:25 PM.
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Old 08-13-16, 09:56 AM
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You may need to install a larger box to have the required space for all the conductors. Loken in the back of the box for the number allowed.
 
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Old 08-13-16, 07:01 PM
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Yes on half of the outlet is controlled by a switch. The new outlet I'm extending I would not like to have controlled by a switch. Couldn't I just put the new white and black wires directly to screws on existing and it should work without the switch?
 
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Old 08-13-16, 08:15 PM
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The box may need to be replaced with a larger box and the wires need to be moved to the screws. Back stabs are unreliable and screws can only have one wire. Actually if that receptacle represents how the other receptacles in your house are wired you need to go back through and rewire those also.See this thread to see what happens when you have back stabs. http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...al-issues.html

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