Electric install outlet

The wire should hook around the screw in a clockwise fashion. This way, the screw will close the hook as you tighten the screw. Use needle-nose pliers to squeeze the hook closed around the threaded shank of the screw. Tighten the ground screw with a screwdriver. The hook should fit snugly around the shank of the screw. Connect the white neutral wire or white pigtail to one of the silver neutral screw terminals on the receptacle, hooking the wire around the screw terminal in a clockwise direction.

The insulation should just touch the screw terminal. Connect the black hot wire or black pigtail to one of the brass hot screw terminals on the receptacle. For standard outlet wiring, the white neutral wire can go on either of the two silver terminals, since they are interchangeable. Likewise, the black hot wire can go on either brass screw terminal.

Confirm that all wiring connections are secure by gently tugging on each wire. Reconnect and retighten any loose wires. Carefully tuck the wires into the box; it often helps to bend them in one or two places, but do not create sharp bends. Press the receptacle's mounting strap the metal strip at the top and bottom against the box, then secure it by threading the mounting screws into the top and bottom of the box.

The receptacle can be oriented with the ground slot the D-shaped hole facing up or down. Technically, it is considered safer to have the ground slot on top. With this orientation, if a cord plug is partially pulled out of the outlet to expose the plug's prongs, an object falling onto the plug is blocked by the grounding prong before it can short-circuit across the hot and neutral prongs.

Fit the cover plate over the outlet and secure it with the mounting screw. Restore power to the circuit by switching on the circuit breaker. Plug in an electrical device to the outlet to make sure the receptacle is working properly. You can also use an inexpensive plug-in receptacle tester to confirm that the receptacle has power, is wired correctly, and is properly grounded.

Homeowners without experience with home wiring projects and repairs may want to have an electrician run cables to the new outlet location and complete any service panel connections if the outlet involves a new circuit or extension of an old circuit.

This work is certainly possible for a homeowner to do, but any work that involves the main service panel is inherently dangerous and should not be attempted if you don't have experience with this kind of project. Electrical Hazard Recognition. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Tamper-Resistant Electrical Receptacles. National Fire Protection Association. Actively scan device characteristics for identification.

Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. The white wire is next and it is attached similarly, only to the silver-colored screw. The bare copper wire connects to the green screw. Tuck the wires into the box and screw the outlet into the box. Install the cover plate and you're finished with this outlet. The existing outlet will need a pigtail connection.

This involves cutting scrap pieces of the three colored wires and attaching one end to the outlet and the other to the two pieces of Romex. Find out how to attach a pigtail. Attach wire nuts to connect the wires. Gently press the wires into the box and screw the outlet into the box. Install the outlet's cover plates and you have finished the outlet installation.

The final step is to turn the circuit back on and test the circuit. Be sure to try both the new and the old outlet using your electrical tester. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content.

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Featured Video. If something falls between the wall and the plug like a coin for instance , it will hit the ground first, then slide to either the load side or the neutral side therefor not causing a short between neutral and load which can cause a fire.

Reply 5 years ago. That is a great observation! While I have seen that practice in commercial electrical work I very rarely see it in residential. Personally for this write-up, I chose to follow the orientation of the rest of the outlets in my house. However, the benefit is lost on many appliances such as lamps, televisions, toasters, hair dryers, etc.

Since outlet orientation is not in the electrical code at least where I live it will be up to each installer to decide their personal preference. Excellent write-up! I've needed to do this in a couple of rooms in my house, but it's always seemed so daunting. Thanks for sharing this. Introduction: Installing a Standard Electrical Outlet. These electrical boxes are only attached to the drywall and are frequently used for remodeling. Locate an existing power source to connect your new outlet to.

Select a power source that is near the general location you wish to install your new outlet. Select a power source that is compatible with your power requirements. Simply ask, "does the power source currently serve the same purpose as your intended new outlet? DANGER: High amperage or high voltage outlets such as those for electric clothes dryers and ovens are not appropriate to power a standard outlet. TIP: Many light switches can also be used to power new electrical outlets.

Validate the power source is working as expected. Using an outlet tester, voltage tester, or plug-in and turn-on an electrical appliance to verify the outlet is "live. Once an appropriate power source has been selected, you must map a wiring path to your new outlet.

The simplest installation is one where the power source and new outlet are within the same wall segment but face opposite directions. Identify a general location where you would like to install your new outlet. On the other side of the wall, measure the distance from the end of the wall to the power source. Using the same measurement, locate the "backside" of the power source from the other side of the wall. TIP: It is not a good practice to put outlets "back-to-back" within the walls and they may not fit TIP: Use a stud finder to locate the empty spaces within the walls.

If you do not have a stud finder, gently "knock" on the wall listening for a hollow space. Stud walls generally have 16 inch spaces between each stud. Having identified a location for your new outlet, trace the electrical box onto the wall. Use the height measurements from a similar outlet to set the appropriate height for your new outlet.

Trace around the "old work" electrical box with the open end facing the wall.