A Comprehensive Guide On Installing Wall Outlets

Wall outlets are among the most common parts of a home’s electrical system. The beauty of electrical outlets is that they can be installed in almost any location and by the homeowner themselves. The job essentially does not require an electrician to be completed. However, for more efficient and quality controlled installation, professional assistance is needed.

Basic electrical safety

Before you dive right into this project, be aware that you should still practice basic safety procedures to avoid any electrical mishaps. If you are not confident working with electrical wiring and circuits, be sure to leave this task to the professionals. This task will require you to be able to understand wire codes, strip wires, and basic knowledge of taking apart and installing electrical outlets. Materials and equipment that you will need

• Cable stripper
• Utility knife or cutting pliers
• Wire stripper
• Needle nose pliers
• Philips screwdriver
• Outlet with cover plate
• Non-contact voltage tester

Turn off the power –before doing any electrical work that requires tapping into the current electrical system, be sure that that power is turned off. Check the electrical service panel and make sure that the line connecting to the target wall outlet has no electricity. You may double check using a voltage tester, testing both wires for electricity. Cable preparation – the cables will normally be fed at the back or at any of the four corners of the electrical box. Be sure that is enough wire to work with. Normally, there should be at least 6-7 inches beyond the leading edge of the box. This is to ensure that that wall outlet can be installed and taken out with ease. Don’t overdo the length of the extended wire, though. It should only be enough that installation or removal could be done properly. Remember, the wire will then need to be tucked into the electrical box. Having more than enough will make it hard to secure the outlet. Stripping wire ends – each wire must be stripped at the end by about 3/4 of an inch in length. They then need to be pigtailed by about half an inch. This is so they can be secured firmly with wire nuts. Be sure that when stripping the wires, there are no nicks or cuts on the insulator to prevent short circuits. Connecting the wires – this is the part where it gets tricky. If you are not confident enough of your work, you can always call an electrician North Myrtle Beach to finish the job. The pigtailed ends, a ground wire, as well as the hot and neutral wires will need to be installed. Attaching the outlet to the box – before tucking everything in the box, give the wires a bit of a test. Tug on the wires with a bit of force to see if everything remains in place. If they do, you can go ahead and screw the outlet into the box. After doing so, it is time to attach the cover plate. The last bit should be pretty easy since the cover plate just snaps in place. If everything is done correctly, the outlet should sit flush on the wall. With a bit of prior experience and basic knowledge, you can install wall outlets with ease. However, always get in touch with professionals like NMB Electrician Pros for any other electrical task that may be too complicated to DIY.

Work only with electrical professionals. Call North Myrtle Beach electricians for all your electrical-related problems today.

NMB Electrician Pros North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 (843) 491-4489 http://nmbelectricianpros.com info@northmyrtlebeachhomeservices.com
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