How to Add Electrical Wall Outlets

Installing additional outlets in your home will not only increase the convenience and access to power when needed, but also the value of your home as well. Upgrading or adding to your electrical system can seem daunting, but following a few steps will help you complete the project safely and correctly. Consult a licensed electrician before beginning any electrical work.

Things You'll Need

• Stud finder
• Pencil
• Sheetrock saw
• Screwdriver
• Drill and 1/2-inch wood drill bit
• Fish tape
• Electrical tape
• Electrical outlet kit
• Length of electrical wire (12-2 size, 20 to 30 feet)
• Utility knife
• Wire cutters/strippers

Instructions

1. Turn the power off to the outlet that will be added to, at the main circuit panel.

2. Locate the area where the new outlet will be installed. Use the stud finder to determine where the stud is and mark that area to avoid. Measure 18 inches off the ground and mark the wall. Trace the outline of the outlet box on the mark. Cut out a hole in the sheetrock wall, following the guide of the trace.

3. Remove the cover plate over the existing outlet with the screwdriver. Remove the screws holding the outlet in the box and pull the outlet out as far as the wiring will allow.

4. Punch out one of the knockout holes in the back of the electrical box. This will allow you to pull the wiring through to connect to this outlet to feed power to the new outlet.

5. Drill a 1/2-inch hole from the attic into the top of the wall where the existing and new outlets are located. Drill in the same wall cavity. These two holes will allow the wire to be pulled from one outlet over to the other.

6. Run the fishing tape from the attic down to the hole over the existing outlet to the outlet box. Pull the fish tape through the existing outlet box. It helps to have an assistant pull the fishing tape through the box, while you feed it to him through the hole in the attic.

7. Attach the new electrical cable to the fishing tape, and pull it through the electrical box, up through the hole in the wall in the attic. Remove the fishing tape from the electrical cable, and feed the cable down through the hole over the area where new outlet box will be placed. Pull about 6 inches of the wiring out the hole. If possible, have an assistant pull the wiring out the hole while it is fed from the hole in the attic.

8. Punch out a knockout hole, using the screwdriver, in the new electrical outlet box and run the wiring through the hole.

9. Insert the electrical box into the hole and mount it, using the screwdriver and screws included in the kit.

10. Cut away about 3 inches of the outer sheathing, using the utility knife. Cut carefully along edge of the cable so as to not damage the internal wires. Pull the sheathing back and cut it away. Repeat this step to the other end of the cable at the existing outlet location. When complete, both ends will have three wires exposed. Two will be insulated and one will not be insulated.

11. Strip away about 1 inch of insulation from each ends of the two wires at the new outlet location. Repeat this step to the other end of the cable at the existing outlet location.The three wires will be black (hot), white (neutral) and bare (ground).

12. Connect the wiring to the back of the new outlet, using the screwdriver. Connect the black wire to the brass screw, the white wire to the silver screw, and the bare wire to the green screw. Repeat this step to connect the wiring to the back of the existing outlet.

13. Push the wiring back into the outlet box, of both the new and existing outlets. Mount each outlet to the box using the screwdriver and included screws. Mount the cover plate over each outlet. Turn the power back on at the main circuit panel.

Tips & Warnings

• It's wise to have an assistant help you through several of the steps.

• All wiring must meet the building codes for your area.

References

• Outlets, Installing and Wiring

Resources

• Installing an Electrical Socket in an Existing Wall