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How To Add An Extra Electrical Socket
Sarah Mitroff is the senior editor who oversees our health, fitness and wellness division. She has written for Wired, Macworld, PCworld and VentureBeat.
How To Install An Outdoor Outlet (with Pictures)
There are only two outlets in my room and both are hidden behind furniture. That means I rely on power strips to connect my phone charger, Kindle charger, laptop charger, alarm clock, lamps, TV, sewing machine, Chromecast, and the list.
If your outlets are running at full capacity like I am, there are some smart (and safe!) solutions you can employ.
First, electrical outlets can pose a safety hazard. An overloaded outlet can trip the circuit breaker and increase the risk of electric shock or fire. You have to pay attention to how many things you connect and what they are.
According to the US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), heat-generating products such as a hair dryer, heater, toaster, or crock pot should always be plugged directly into an outlet. They consume too much power to be used safely with a power strip or extension cord.
How To Replace A Standard 120 Volt Outlet Receptacle
Both the Electrical Safety Foundation International and the NFPA agree that makeshift solutions such as power strips and extension cords should not be used for extended periods of time. The surest way to get access to more electricity in every part of your home is to hire an electrician to install new outlets.
But, as any renter knows, that’s not always the case. Read on to learn how to deal with a lack of outlets when you can’t afford to pay more.
Now that we’ve covered safety precautions, let’s talk about ways to free up space for outlets. One of your best bets is a faucet that plugs into your existing outlet and covers it to add more outlets.
They usually come in three- and six-socket configurations, and some even offer USB ports for charging your devices. Look for outlets with surge protectors, which can protect your electronics from harmful surges.
Adding An Electrical Outlet In The Middle Of A Run
If the problem is that you just don’t have enough outlets and you need something to fill the gap while you add more outlets, a power strip is the right tool for the job.
They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and cable lengths, typically from 2 feet to 25 feet. You probably already have several in your house, but do you know the safety precautions to be taken when using them?
If you only need to connect one device, e.g. For example, if you have a lamp hanging in a corner or your laptop’s charger is out of reach, it’s time to buy an extension cord.
When shopping, know exactly what you will be using the cable for and buy accordingly. Thin indoor extension cords should never be used outdoors as they are not durable enough and could fray.
How To Add An Electrical Outlet To A Room (with Video)
Also make sure the cable can handle the electrical requirements you are going to connect to it. For most home applications, such as connecting a light bulb or computer charger, a nominal extension of up to 13 amps is sufficient.
To find out exactly how many amps your DC-powered device is drawing, look at the wattage and volts draw, which are usually stamped or printed on the product. Divide watts by volts and you have amplifiers. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in DIY, remodeling, repair and DIY. Tried, True, and Trusted Home Advice
Wiring an Outlet While there is some electrical work best left to the professionals, it is possible to replace an outlet yourself, as long as you take the proper precautions. Read on to learn how to get the job done safely.
Simply put, electrical work is dangerous. If you are considering a project that requires complexity or sophistication, we recommend hiring a licensed electrician. However, a few simple electrical repairs and upgrades are ready for meticulous attention to detail, perfect for the DIY enthusiast on a budget. By following these tips, you can replace an old or damaged outlet or switch it to a USB wall outlet. It’s a simple task, and as long as you take the right precautions and carefully read the steps for plugging in an outlet before you begin, it’s safe.
Cost To Install Electrical Outlet
A word of caution: Before attempting any electrical work on your home, it’s a good idea to check your local building codes to ensure your project falls within the scope of work the homeowner can do. Need a helping hand? can help. Get free, no-obligation project estimates from licensed electricians near you. Find the Pro+
There are some jobs that fall under the wheelhouse of the experienced handyman, and then there are others that are better suited to professionals. How can you tell the difference? Below are some common scenarios the ideal homeowner should be able to handle (subject to local restrictions of course) and give you an idea of what to leave to the electrician.
If you want to add an outlet but need to run new wire between the new outlet and the home’s electrical panel, call a professional. You need a licensed master electrician because building codes often dictate that new electrical work requires a permit, and in many parts of the country, only a professional can obtain the necessary permits. In other areas, homeowners can obtain their own permits and begin plugging in multiple outlets after passing a government-administered test.
In many cases, it is possible to connect one outlet to another outlet. In fact, the job is much easier if there is an existing outlet on the opposite side of the wall from where you want to add one. In this situation, you can usually cut a new opening, install an electrical box, and add a new outlet without having to run wires through the studs. Be sure to use a pin finder to locate the pins on either side of the existing socket, and be sure to install the new socket in the same pin slot.
The Best Plug In Smart Outlet
If you’re looking for more outlets in one location, you can also replace an existing duplex outlet that only requires two plugs, compared to four with a quad outlet. This can be useful in the workshop or in the kitchen and bathroom, where two sockets are not enough.
In either case, it’s important to have enough capacitance in the circuit to accommodate the extra draw. For 15 amp circuits, the maximum is usually eight outlets or lights. Any larger outlet can draw too much current to the breaker.
Older two-prong plugs are not grounded, making them dangerous in the event of a power failure. Converting a two-prong outlet to a three-prong outlet without an electrician is safe only if the electrical box containing the outlet is metal and the wire feeding the box is shielded. If these conditions are met, the box provides protection against ground fault (even in the absence of an outlet). How can you tell if an electrical box meets standards without opening the wall? Very simple: Use a voltage tester. Insert one pin into the socket’s small slot (“hot slot”) and touch the other pin to the screw that secures the front panel. If the tester lights up, the control box is grounded; You can go ahead and convert a two-prong to a three-prong. If your electrical box
Grounded, you can still upgrade to three prongs, but the replacement should be a ground fault circuit breaker or GFCI (the socket type with a red button on the front).
How To Install An Exterior Electrical Outlet
Over time, outlets can look dirty or dirty, or the plastic can crack and the outlet can become dangerous to use. To keep electricity flowing where you need it, it’s important to learn how to replace an outlet safely and efficiently. Fortunately, replacing an outlet on electrical projects is easy.
Before proceeding, be sure to disconnect power to the outlet you are replacing. Go to your home’s electrical panel and toggle the switch associated with the circuit that sends power to the outlet in question. After disconnecting the power from the outlet, use a voltage tester to verify that the outlet is really off. Insert the test probes into the two top slots of the socket. If the tester lights up, you’ve flipped the wrong switch on the power panel and should try again. Continue your trial and error until you are sure the outlet is no longer receiving power.
Don’t have a voltage tester? You can use the lamp as long as you know it’s working. Plug the lamp into an outlet and, if
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