How to Mount Electrical Outlets

The location for an electrical outlet should be chosen carefully.

Electrical outlets, also known as receptacles, provide power to plugged-in appliances, lights and electrical accessories. The metal or plastic housing of a receptacle must be mounted to a sturdy surface to maintain stability. Outlets come in many types, including outside-use, heavy-duty and ground-fault interrupter (GFCI), along with other specialized outlets. Choosing the correct type is the most important part of the project.

Things You'll Need

• Stud finder
• Drywall saw
• Tape measure
• Mounting nails
• Rigid conduit
• Drill
• Masonry drill bit
• Concrete anchors

Instructions

Interior

1. Find a wall stud with a stud-finder. Wall studs provide a stable mounting surface for an outlet. If this is new construction, skip to step 3.

2. Cut a 6-inch tall by 16-inch long rectangular section in the drywall with a drywall saw, exposing the side of the stud.

3. Set the receptacle housing on the side of the stud, 5/8 of an inch back from the surface of the stud. This will result in the outlet sitting flush to the wall.

4. Drive a mounting nail through the raised slots on the top and bottom of the housing into the side of the wall stud.

5. Feed wires through to the outlet, then wire it and replace the wallboard.

Exterior

1. Run wires through rigid conduit from the ground up to the receptacle housing, then feed wires through the housing. Rigid conduit protects electrical wires from outside weather conditions.

2. Fit the housing onto the conduit through the pre-drilled hole on the bottom of the housing.

3. Place the receptacle onto an exterior surface and mark holes. Use a drill equipped with a masonry drill bit to drill pilot holes, slightly smaller than the concrete anchors, into the exterior wall.

4. Place concrete anchors through the back of the receptacle and drive them into a masonry base or through siding into the sheathing. Concrete anchors, made of soft metal, expand in a hard surface to secure the housing in place.

5. Wire the outlet.

Tips & Warnings

• Check all building codes before installing new outlets.

• Obtain all necessary permits, and have inspections performed promptly.

• Do not wire and power outlets before mounting.

References

• "Reader's Digest Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual"; Family Handyman Magazine Editors; 2005
• "The Simon and Schuster Complete Guide to Home Repair and Maintenance"; Bernard Gladstone; 1987