How to Wire an Electrical Outlet With Red, White, & Black Wires

In most electrical outlet installations, the outlet is powered by a single circuit which features a hot wire, a neutral wire and a ground wire. But sometimes a circuit may be run which also includes a red wire. You can use the red wire with the black wire to power a 240-volt outlet, like for an electric dryer, or you can wire an outlet so that each socket is an independent circuit.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electrical outlet
• Outlet cover plate
• Screwdrivers
• Wire strippers
• Needle nose pliers
• Voltage tester
• Electrical tape

Wiring an Electrical Outlet for Two Independent Circuits

1. Turn the power off to the breakers that are supplying power to the red and black wires. Use your voltage tester to ensure that both lines are off.

2. Loosen both screws on the side of the outlet that has the bronze-colored screws. On the other side, keep one screw tightened down and loosen the other.

3. Remove the little metal tab that connects the two bronze screws. Grab the tab with your needle nose pliers, and bend it back and forth to remove it

4. Use the wire strippers to remove about 3/4 inch of insulation from each wire. Then bend the exposed copper ends into a hook shape so it will fit under the terminal screws on the outlet.

5. Connect the ground wire to the green ground screw on the top of the outlet and tighten it.

6. Connect the white wire to the silver screw and tighten it.

7. Connect the black wire to one bronze screw and the red wire to the other bronze screw. Tighten them both, and wrap electrical tape around the sides of the outlet so all of the terminals are covered.

8. Secure the outlet to the wall box, install the cover plate and turn both breakers back on.

9. Test each socket on the outlet to make sure both are supplying the right amount of voltage.

Wiring a 240-Volt Outlet

10. Loosen all the terminals on the outlet.

11. Connect the ground wire to the green terminal.

12. Connect the white wire to the silver terminal.

13. Connect the black wire to one bronze terminal and the red wire to the other bronze terminal.

Tips & Warnings

• Never work on an electrical outlet when the power is on. Always turn the circuit off before working on an electrical component.