How to Wire an End-of-Run Receptacle

End-of-run receptacles remain one of the simplest electrical devices you can install. Just remember that a single cable goes into the box, so there's a single white, neutral wire, a single bare grounded wire and only one black, hot wire. Make sure you have brass, white and silver terminals before you begin so you can properly attach the different colored wires.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cable 12/2 NM
• Receptacle box
• Wire stripper
• Cable ripper
• Long-nose pliers
• Duplex receptacle
• Insulated screwdriver
• Receptacle cover

1. Make sure you have enough wire you can attach to the receptacle. Pull at least ten inches of the cable into the receptacle box.

2. Use the wire stripper to remove most of the sheathing on the cable. Use either the wire stripper or the cable ripper to remove the insulation at both ends of all wires.

3. Take the long-nose pliers and fashion a hook to stick out on the ends of the cable wires on the duplex receptacle. Use the pliers again to line the hook around the terminal's screw. Screw it tightly into place.

4. Install the white wire so that it is tightly connected to the silver screw. Attach the black wire securely to the brass screw. Install the grounded wire to the grounding screw on the duplex receptacle. Check to make sure each wire attaches securely to the receptacle.

5. Place the receptacle inside the box. Use the insulated screwdriver to secure it in place. Finish by attaching the receptacle cover.