How to Install Electrical Outlets in an Attic

Installing new electrical outlets in your home is usually a lot of work. However, adding a new electrical outlet in the attic is much easier and skips all the effort associated with pulling new wire through walls and cutting holes in drywall.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wirenuts
• Screwdriver
• String
• Small nuts

1. Turn off power at the breaker and find the power outlet that feeds the garage door opener. Tie in directly to the garage door opener power outlet. Run the wire from the existing box to the location you've chosen for the new outlet. Use wirenuts to connect the black, white and neutral wire and you're ready to turn the power back on.

2. Locate the ceiling fixtures or other full time outlets if the garage door outlet is not an option. Wall outlets are likely to have power all of the time and are easy to connect to. Follow the wire from the attic into the wall below and make a mental note of its location downstairs. Locate the outlet and turn off the power at the breaker before continuing.

3. Remove the outlet and look for a hole in the sides or top of the box. You may have to use a screwdriver to remove a punch-out.

4. Return to the attic and drill a ½ inch hole next to where the wire enters the wall. Tie a couple of small nuts to a piece of string and drop it through the hole. Find the nuts next to the outlet box and pull it through the access hole you opened. Tie the string to the new electrical wire and pull it through the hole in the attic.

5. Mount and wire the new outlet in the desired location and return to the downstairs outlet. Use wirenuts to connect the black, white and neutral wires and screw the outlet back in place.

6. Switch the power on and test both outlets to ensure they're working properly. Replace any covers and take a cool shower to remove any insulation you collected.