Adding An Outlet To A Circuit

Verify that no power is present in the circuit.

Adding an outlet to a circuit. Depending on where you re installing a new outlet living space basement or outdoor area access to power may vary. When an outlet receptacle falls in the middle of a circuit run rather than at the end there are generally two cables in the outlet box. Once power is verified turn off the electrical power to the wiring circuit. Don t make matters worse by adding yet another outlet to the circuit electrical codes restrict the number of lights or electrical outlets that can be connected to one circuit.

Instead of installing a new circuit for the outlet you may be able to tap into an interior outlet on an existing circuit within the home. Test an existing outlet on the circuit intended for the additional outlet using a 120 volt tester. There are 2 basic ways to install a new electrical outlet running electrical wiring from a circuit breaker to the new location or from another outlet in the same room. The biggest potential problem will be overloading the circuit.

Test the same outlet for absence of power using the tester. Arrangements are included to use an existing receptacle circuit or lights and switch circuits as the source for a new wall outlet. Check to make sure the wiring will support an outlet. Adding outlets just for convenience purposes for use for only short periods should cause no problem though.

You really should have no problems. To add a new outlet to a group of receptacles already in place splice the new wires to one set of wires on one of the existing outlets. Adding a dozen outlets and using them all at the same time could overload the circuit. Most garages have only one circuit in them.

Wiring a new outlet to another outlet. Before tapping into an existing circuit to add power for an outlet the line must be verified that it is in fact an outlet circuit and not a line use for switching a light fixture or similar application. It should be understood where the cable comes from and where it is leading to. One cable is the incoming power source entering the box from one side while a second cable exits the box to continue onward to downstream locations on the circuit.