MAINTENANCE

How to install an electrical outlet

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 Objective:
• Explain how to install an electrical outlet at home.

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 INTRODUCTION

Installing or fixing an electrical outlet can be a very easy job when it

involves the simple replacement of an existing receptacle, but it
can be a bit more difficult if it involves running a new circuit from
the main service panel or extending an existing circuit.

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 BEFORE YOU BEGIN

It's important to understand circuit wiring for

receptacles before you begin. Household
outlet receptacles can be wired in one of
two ways, depending on where the outlet
falls along the circuit.

When an outlet falls in the middle of the circuit run, there will be two cables
(or occasionally three) entering the electrical box. One cable is bringing
power into the box from the power source, while the other cable (or cables)
are carrying power onward to other outlets or fixtures.

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 Wiring a receptacle becomes very easy when it falls at the end of
the circuit run. In this case, there is only one cable in the box, and
the hot and neutral wires are simply secured to one pair of brass
and screw terminals on the receptacle.

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 SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

Before touching any wires in an electrical box,

always test for power with a non-contact voltage
All electrical work tester to make sure the power is off.
comes with inherent
risks, so make sure to
The wire connections must be made carefully to
carefully follow basic
ensure safety and proper operation. A wire coming
wiring practices: loose from an outlet can create a serious fire or
shock hazard.

Never connect more than one wire to a single

terminal. If there is more than one cable in the
electrical box, use pigtails to connect the
receptacle to the circuit wires.

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 Metal electrical boxes must be connected to the ground system via a
grounding pigtail that connects to the circuit ground wires and the receptacle.

The receptacle, the NM (non-metallic) cable, and the linked circuit breaker
must all match for amperage ratings. Most household outlet circuits are
either 15-amp or 20-amp 120-volt circuits.

The electrical code in most jurisdictions now requires tamper-resistant (TR)

outlets for new installations.

Most electrical codes require that the edge of the receptacle box be recessed
no more than 1/4 inch from the finished wall surface.

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 WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Equipment / Tools

❑ Non-contact voltage tester

❑ Cable ripper
❑ Cutting pliers or utility knife
❑ Wire strippers
❑ Wire connectors
❑ Needle-nose pliers
❑ Screwdrivers

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 Materials

❑ Scrap NM cable (as needed)

❑ Outlet receptacle with cover plate

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 INSTRUCTIONS

1- Turn off the power, and test outlet

Locate your home's main service panel. Foot valve

Fuse box

The main service panel is usually located in a utility area, such as a

basement, kitchen pantry, garage, hallway, closet, or on an outside
wall.

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 Turn off the circuit powering the new outlet by switching off the
corresponding circuit breaker. Test the outlet for power using a non-
contact voltage tester to verify that the power is off.

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 2- Prepare the cables

Electrical cables feed through holes in the back or sides of the outlet's
electrical box. They are secured in place by metal cable clamps or by
pressure-fit clamps mounted in the box. Generally, the outer sheathing
of the NM cable should just barely extend into the box, with 6 or 7 inches
of each conducting wire extending into the box.

If you're replacing an old outlet receptacle,

you probably will not need to prepare the
cables or strip the individual wires.

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 3- Strip the wires

If necessary, strip away 1/2 to 3/4 inch of plastic insulation from the end of each
insulated wire in the box, using wire strippers. If you are replacing an old outlet
receptacle, make sure that the ends of the wires are in good condition and have
no nicks or scorch marks; if they do, trim off the damaged portion and strip away
insulation from the end of the wire.

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 4- Attach pigtail wires to circuit wires

Install pigtail wires if there is more than one

cable in the box. Using a scrap of the same
type of circuit cable, cut 6-inch lengths of each
type of wire in the cable.

Strip one end of each pigtail at 1/2 inch and the other end at 3/4 inch. The 1/2-
inch end will be connected to the circuit wires with a wire connector, while the
3/4-inch end will be bent into a hook shape and connected to a screw terminal
on the receptacle.

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 5- Connect the ground wire to the receptacle

Form a J-shaped hook on the end of each

wire (or pigtail), using needle-nose pliers. Fit
the hooked end of the ground wire around the
ground screw on the new receptacle. The wire
should hook around the screw in a clockwise
fashion. This way, the screw will close the
hook as you tighten the screw.

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 6- Attach the neutral and hot wires to the
receptacle

Connect the white neutral wire or white pigtail to one of the silver (neutral)
screw terminals on the receptacle, hooking the wire around the screw
terminal in a clockwise direction.

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 7- Attach the receptacle to the box
Confirm that all wiring connections are secure by gently tugging on
each wire. Reconnect and retighten any loose wires. Carefully tuck
the wires into the box; it often helps to bend them in one or two
places, but do not create sharp bends.

Press the receptacle's mounting

strap (the metal strip at the top and
bottom) against the box, then
secure it by threading the mounting
screws into the top and bottom of
the box.

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 8- Attach the cover plate
Fit the cover plate over the outlet and secure it with the mounting
screw. Restore power to the circuit by switching on the circuit
breaker.

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 Plug in an electrical device
to the outlet to make sure
the receptacle is working
properly. You can also use
an inexpensive plug-in
receptacle tester to confirm
that the receptacle has
power, is wired correctly,
and is properly grounded.

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 ✓ Explain how to install
an electrical outlet at
home

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www.senati.edu.pe
 Conclusion

Installing or fixing an electrical outlet

can be difficult if it involves running a
new circuit from the main service
panel or extending an existing circuit.

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