How to Properly Wire an Electrical Receptacle

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By dobguy1
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Wiring a residential receptacle and a commercial one are basically the same, here is how to properly wire up a receptacle

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

To properly wire a receptacle there are a few steps to take and by doing so you will ensure a proper code compliant receptacle. All receptacles and any electrical equiptment is wired up according to the NEC or National Electric Code. By adhering to these rules an receptacle or electrical piece of equiptment will comply with all rules and regulations.
Step 2

To begin using a standard duplex outlet (2 Plugs) the wires will be coming into the Junction Box or J box and these wires should be 14/2 gage wires. The brand most frequently used for residential applications is Romes. The wire will have a hot which is black a neutral which is white and a ground wire which will be bare. These wires need to be connected to the outlet in the following order.
Step 3

The ground wire connects to the grounding screw or green screw, this screw is normally on the bottom of the receptacle on the left side. After theis is wired the next will be the neutral wire or white wire, this wire gets connected to the silver screw, this is normally on the bottomright of the receptacle, last wire up the hot leg or black wire, this wire goes to the brass screw normally located on the top right. After wiring make sure all connections are tight. Use electrical tape to wrap aroundd the receptacle, this is used frequently by commercial electricians and protects from short circuits on the side of the Junction box.

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