How to Wire an Outlet and Add an Electrical Outlet | The ...

The outlet-addition methods we show here are based on the most common wiring (14-gauge wire on a 15-amp circuit) and an 18-cu.-in. box (typical inside dimensions are about 2-in. x 3-1/4 in. x 3-in. deep).

Installing a plug-in receptacle for an electrical outlet can be a very easy job when it involves the simple replacement of an existing receptacle, but it can be a bit more difficult if it involves running a new circuit from the main service panel or extending an existing circuit. The following project shows how to connect the receptacle when the electrical box has already been installed and ...

If a metal box, cut (2) eight inch lengths of bare copper wire, and combine them and the bare wire from the Romex® cable under a properly sized wirenut. The free end of one wire will connect to the green ground screw of the outlet, and the other free end is to be connected to the metal box with a green screw (expressly for that purpose) or other approved means (special clips, etc).

14/2 wire; Electrical box; Wire nut; You can find all the necessary tools and materials at your local DIY center. A 15 amp outlet like the one shown here only costs about $0.60, and you can purchase 100′ of 14/2 Romex for $35.00!

When you see a red wire in an outlet box, it's usually because the outlet is a switched outlet. In the split-tab configuration, the two halves of the outlet are separated, and the red wire goes to a wall switch. The other outlet, powered by the black wire which always has power, is always on.

When an outlet receptacle falls in the middle of a circuit run rather than at the end, there are generally two cables in the outlet box. One cable is the incoming power source entering the box from one side, while a second cable exits the box to continue onward to "downstream" locations on the circuit.

Included are arrangements for 2 receptacles in one box, a switch and receptacle outlet in the same box, and 2 switches in the same box. Wiring Two Outlets in One Box. In this diagram, two duplex receptacle outlets are installed in the same box and wired separately to the source using pigtails spliced to connect the terminals of each one.

Wiring Multiple Outlets and a GFCI. Here a gfci receptacle is added at the end of a row of duplex receptacles for single-location protection. The first outlet is connected to the source and 2-wire cable runs from box to box. All wires are spliced with a pigtail at the devices to pass current to the next.

Screw the outlet into the exterior box to hold it in place. Hold the outlet inside of the exterior box so the screwholes line up with one another and so the wires are tucked in the back of the box. Use either wood screws or masonry anchors depending on whether you have wood or concrete exterior walls. Tighten the screws on the outlet to the ...

First, connecting the wires leading to downstream outlets with wire connectors creates a more secure connection. And second, it's easier to press the outlet back into the box if fewer of its screws are connected to wires. Instead, use wire connectors to connect the neutral, hot and ground wires along with 6-in.-long “pigtails.”