Things You'll Need:
- a brain
- proper wire with ground, I like 12/2 with ground
- linemen pliers
- wire strippers
- wirenuts
- plastic electrical boxes
- grounded plugs
- plastic outlet covers
- hammer
- flat tip screw driver
- good #2 phillips screw driver
- wire tacks (hold downs
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Step 1
first go to home depot and buy a cheap book that tells you how to do the wiring for light, plugs etc... you will thank your self later.
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Step 2
determine what you are going to use the plugs for, example: 120 volt outlet for lights, drills and saws or 220 volt for large air compressors and welders.
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Step 3
wiring goes this way on the plug/outlet (black to brass, white to silver screw and bare copper wire to ground screw) I would never use the push in holes on the back of the outlet, as these will loosen in time. always wrap the wires around the screws on the outlet and tighten.
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Step 4
you can add a single plug into a wall from running it from another outlet, but you need to make sure you do not overload the circuit.
new construction wire is easier because the walls are open. for new construction make sure to space the front of the receptacle box a 1/2 inch past the front of the stud so when you add sheetrock the box will be flushed. you will need to place you electrical boxes on the walls and hammer them securely, but do not deform the box. for old construction you can buy an electrical box with flags on them, cut a hole in sheet rock and when you insert box and turn screws the flags will clamp the back of the sheet rock for a tight fit. -
Step 5
old construction you will have to find a source for the power (another plug or breaker box). for existing wall it is easier to run wire up to attic then back down because of insulation in the wall.
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Step 6
new construction, run wires between boxes and let wire hang out of box at least 8 inches for future work. tack wires to stud about 6 inches from box and every 12 inches to ensure wire stays against stud. this is done so when sheet rock is screwed up the screws will not short the wires, and you do not know what would fasten to the wall 3 years from now. this is for safety.
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Step 7
i attach my outlet to the wires and let them hang out of the box for final electrical connection and to check for shorts. note: when you install plug into box ensure the wires (bare copper wire and white wire do not come close to the black (hot) wires or screws. take your time while stuffing wire into box and use a flash light.
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Step 8
test all outlets with a meter for proper voltage. you can use a line meter or a light. finish by installing plastic outlet covers( these covers do not break easy versus the hard plastic ones.
