How to Wire Split-Circuit Receptacles
An electrical outlet with two plug ports can be wired to one circuit, or it can be split to two separate circuits. The split wiring arrangement has electric advantages for appliances that consume large amounts of electricity and outlets used to plug in six socket surge protectors. Any receptacle that draws too much power will overheat and trip the circuit breaker. Split receptacles have less chance of tripping the breakers because two circuits can facilitate much more power than just one. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Remodel electrical wall box
- Cover plate
- Drywall saw
- Receptacle
- Stud finder
- Pencil
- 30 amp double pole breaker switch
- 12/3 Romex cable
- Fish tape
- Electrical tape
- Utility knife
- Wire cutters
- Needle nose pliers
- Wire nuts
- Phillips screwdriver
- Slotted screwdriver
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Instructions
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Choose a spot on a wall for the receptacle. Run a stud finder over the wall from the chosen location to the ceiling to search for any obstacles behind the wall that could prevent the cable from running to the location.
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Shut off the power with the large "main" switch on the breaker panel. Loosen the holding screws on the panel cover and remove it. Take care not to touch the two large wires connected to the top terminals because they carry electricity.
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Trace around the paper pattern provided with the wall box, or trace the rectangle around the back end of the box itself. Cut along the pencil lines with a drywall saw to make an opening for the electrical box that will hold the outlet.
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Attach one end of a 12/3 Romex cable to the hook of a fish tape and wrap electrical tape around the hook and cable. Push the fish tape down the wall from the attic to the breaker panel. Attach the other end of the Romex to the fish tape and run it down the wall to the opening in the drywall for the outlet.
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Cut the plastic jacket around the outside of the Romex lengthwise with a utility knife. Make an 8-inch slit at both ends of the cable. Cut away the slit part of the jacket at both ends. Strip 1/2 inch of the insulation from the red, black and white wires at both ends. Push the wires at the outlet end into the cable port on the electrical box.
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Push the drywall clamps on the remodel electrical box to the rear, or toward the insides depending on the make of electrical box. Slide the box through the opening and once the clamps reach the inside of the wall they will snap back into place. Tighten the screws at the upper right and lower left of the box to snug the clamps against the inside of the wall.
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Remove the tab on the receptacle between the two brass terminals by gripping the tabs with needle nose pliers and bending the metal back and forth until it snaps off. Connect the black wire from the Romex to one brass terminal by twisting the exposed wire around the terminal with clockwise turns and tightening the screw with a Phillips screwdriver. Connect the red Romex wire to the other brass terminal, and connect the white wire to a silver terminal on the opposite side of the receptacle. Connect the copper ground wire to the green terminal screw on a corner of the receptacle.
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Connect the white Romex wire to the neutral bus bar in the breaker panel. The neutral bar will be identified by the large white wire connected to the big terminal at one end. Push the exposed wire into a free terminal and tighten the screw. Connect the copper ground wire to the ground bus bar holding the copper and green wires. Tighten this wire onto its terminal firmly.
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Connect the red and black wires to the double breaker terminals and tighten the terminal screws. Clip the holding clamp onto the holder bar beside two free circuit breaker openings on the panel. Plug the prongs on the other end of double breaker into the receiving ports in the panel.
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Check all connections to be certain each wire is on the proper terminal. Push the wires into the wall box and mount the receptacle to the box with the upper and lower screws. Use a Phillips screwdriver to tighten these screws. Put the cover plate on over the outlet and tighten the holding screw with a slotted screwdriver.
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Break the two punch-out tabs off the breaker panel cover to make an opening for the new double breaker switch. Use needle nose pliers to grip the tabs and bend them until they release. Replace the cover on the breaker panel and tighten the holding screws with a Phillips screwdriver. Turn the "main" power switch back on and test the receptacle.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not wire a circuit from the breaker panel unless you have electrical training or experience. Severe injuries and costly damages can result from improper wiring in the home.
References
- Photo Credit outlet image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
