Add New Outlet

• Always make sure the power is SHUT OFF by turning off the breaker in the circuit breaker box or by removing a fuse in a fusebox. Note: fuseboxes are not as common as circuit breaker boxes.
• Test outlet. Plug a working radio or lamp into the outlet (make sure they are turned on). When the radio or lamp turns off, you will know the power is off.

Supplies for Electrical Home Improvement to Add New Outlet

Home Improvement Instructions for Adding an Outlet

1. What you need to realize is that you are simply extending a wire from another outlet nearby to the location to add new outlet.


2. To accomplish this, you must determine the best route through the wall, ceiling or floor that makes the most sense to "fish" a new wire, romex, through it.


3. Sometimes it is easier to fish the new wire up from the last outlet, through the attic, and then down the wall to add new outlet. It may, however, be easier to drop down from the last outlet, go below the floor and then back up to add new outlet.


4. After deciding which route is best, you will need to carefully cut a new hole in the drywall at the proper height and location of the new outlet.


5. Determine the height by measuring other nearby outlets and then trace on the wall all the way around the new outlet box.


6. BE SURE YOU ARE INBETWEEN STUDS!


7. Next, using a drywall saw, (small pointed blade hole cutting saw) or a utility type knife, cut out the hole staying on the lines. Do not cut beyond the lines in any direction.



8. Now you must fish the romex from the last outlet up or down (your decision) to the new hole in the wall. This will normally require two people.


9. No matter if you are fishing upward or downward, you will have to drill a 3/4" hole through the top or bottom stud wall plate(use a spade bit) to do this.


10. Go into the attic or under the floor and locate the wall where the last outlet is and the wall where the new outlet hole is located.


11. Be extra careful you are at the specific location you need to be before drilling any holes anywhere.


12. After drilling the holes, go back up or back down and start pushing the romex wire through the hole.


13. Your helper should be located at the new outlet hole and looking for this wire to show up. Your hand should fit into the hole and eventually you will come in contact with the end of the wire.


14. Grab it and pull it out through the hole about 8".


15. MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T GET PULLED BACK INTO THE WALL.


16. Now you must decide how long a piece of wire is required to reach the old (last) outlet.


17. DO NOT ESTIMATE TOO SHORTLY!


18. Allow enough extra to easily reach the old outlet traveling the path desired.


19. Fish wire towards the old outlet.


20. Turn off power, double check it's off!


21. Remove the last outlet plate and outlet by unscrewing three screws.


22. Next, examine the old box and find a "knock-out" (small round "caplike" bendable opening)
    and knock it out by striking it with a screwdriver driven by a hammer blow.


23. Bend it and it will break off.


24. Fish romex wire into this hole, pulling it out of the box about 7" or so.


25. Return to the new outlet hole.


26. You should now have romex wire sticking out of the new hole in the drwyall and the other end of the wire sticking out from the wall through the old outlet box.


27. Each end of the wire should have the cable ripped back about 5" or so, the wires stripped back about 1/2", including the ground wire (for a total of three exposed wires).


28. Grab your new outlet box, knock out where the romex wire will come into the box and stick it through that opening.


29. Next, place this box into the cut out hole in the drywall to add new outlet where you will anchor it next.


30. Using metal bendable box anchors, read instructions on their package and anchor the box tightly into the wall.


31. Next hookup the wires to the outlet by placing the black wire to the right hand (small slot) side screw and the white wire to the left side of the outlet.


32. Attach ground wire to ground wire screw.


33. Screw outlet into the new box and attach the outlet plate cover using one screw.


34. Move to the old outlet.


35. The romex wire should already be ripped and stripped as directed above.


36. Located on either side of the outlet are two screws. If this is the last outlet on the circuit (you may have gotten lucky) then attach the black wire to the screw where the existing black wire is attached.


37. Follow the same procedure for the white (neutral) side.


38. Attach ground wire to ground screw. Yes, you can put two wires onto this ground screw with a little effort if necessary.


39. Re-install the outlet and the plate by re-inserting three screws.


40. Turn power back on and test both outlets.

Add new outlet has been accomplished.