Electrical Outlets

Electrical outlets for home improvements gives easy step by step do it yourself home instructions for installing an outlet safely.

Information on different types of outlets, wire sizes, and breakers is also provided.

These easy step by step instructions include list of necessary electrical supplies, safety precautions and other helpful tips.

SAFETY FIRST! Working with electricity scares a lot of people. When installing an electrical outlets, you need to follow these electrical safety tips.

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.

Types of Outlet Installations

To obtain installation instructions click on one of the categories below.

Replace Outlet

If your elctrical outlets are worn or broken you should replace them asap. A worn outlet is one that when you plug something into it, the plug remains loose or even falls out. If you can see any of the metal near the holes caused by the plastic around the holes being broken, then the outlet is extremely dangerous. If the the cover plate around the outlet is cracked or broken then replace only the cover plate. (Do not tighten the screw in the cover plate too much or that will break the cover plate). This is one of many do it yourself home improvements.

Add New Outlet

Don't have enough electrical outlets in an area or a room, then you need to add a new one. This can be as simple as tapping into the closest outlet or supplying the new outlet with power from another source which may be under the floor or in the attic.

Add GFCI Receptacle

If you have a regular electrical outlet within 6 feet of a water source, or located in a garage, bathroom or other areas that are prone to water, then you need to replace it with a GFCI receptacle. Learn more....

Change 2 Plug Outlet to a 4 Plug Outlet

Realize that usually if you already have a typical outlet, you can likely double it and have 4 places to plug in very simply. This can be an easy project if the existing outlet is anchored into a "double" box in the wall. If this anchoring box is not a double, this project becomes a lot harder.

Switchable Outlet

Sometimes it would be nice to have your outlet controlled by a switch. This would enable the switching on of a table lamp, radio or other item when entering the room. This does require getting 2 new wires running between the switch and the outlet.

Web Updates

I will continually add new improvement projects, repair and maintenance information, remodeling ideas as well as general tips and ideas for turning your house into your home. So be sure and check back often for new additions.

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