Wiktor Wise
Moving an electrical outlet is a seemingly straightforward task, but it is important to be cautious and prepared. Before beginning, ensure you have researched your home's electrical setup, including circuit types and wire gauges. Next, turn off the circuit breaker and verify that the power is off with a voltage tester. Then, remove the outlet cover and unscrew the outlet from the electrical box. If the outlet is daisy-chained, you will need to identify the line and load wires. Once the wires are disconnected, you can prepare the new location by cutting an outline with a drywall saw. If the new location is farther from the panel, you may need to run new wires or splice them with a junction box. When installing the new outlet, pay attention to the wire configuration and terminal screw colors. Finally, test the outlet to ensure it works.
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What You'll Learn
Turn off the circuit breaker
Before relocating electrical wiring and receptacles, it is imperative to prioritise safety by turning off the circuit breaker. This step is crucial to prevent any electrical hazards while working on the outlet. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through the process:
Locate the Circuit Breaker
Begin by identifying the electrical panel in your home. This panel houses the circuit breakers that control the flow of electricity to various outlets and fixtures. It is usually located in a utility room, garage, basement, or closet.
Identify the Correct Breaker
Once you have located the electrical panel, you need to identify the specific breaker that controls the outlet you intend to work on. Breakers are often labelled or marked to indicate which outlets or areas they supply power to. If you are unsure which breaker controls the desired outlet, it is recommended to turn off the main breaker to completely cut off the power supply.
After locating and identifying the correct breaker, it's time to turn it off. Breakers typically have a toggle switch or a breaker lever that can be flipped to the "off" position. Ensure that the breaker is securely turned off by checking that the lever or switch is firmly in the "off" position.
Verify Power Disconnection
To ensure your safety, it is essential to verify that the power to the outlet is indeed off. You can use a non-contact voltage tester for this purpose. Simply hold the tester near the outlet, and it will indicate whether there is still a live current present. If the tester does not detect any voltage, you can be confident that the power is off, and it is safe to proceed with the next steps of relocating the electrical wiring and receptacle.
Prepare for the Relocation
With the power safely off, you can now prepare for the relocation process. This includes gathering the necessary tools and materials, such as wire cutters, screwdrivers, and the new receptacle or outlet you plan to install. It is also important to carefully plan the new location of the outlet, ensuring that it complies with safety regulations and is positioned correctly in relation to the electrical panel.
Remember, working with electricity can be dangerous, and it is always recommended to seek professional assistance if you are unsure about any aspect of the process. Safety should be the top priority when undertaking electrical work.
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Disconnect wires from outlet terminals
Before starting any electrical work, it is important to ensure your safety. Working on an outlet with power still running through it can be dangerous and may result in electric shock. Therefore, before beginning any work, go to your electrical panel and turn off the circuit breaker. If you are unsure which breaker connects to the room you are working in, it is best to consult an electrician. As a last resort, you can shut off the power to the whole house, but this is not ideal as it could damage devices and appliances. Make sure everyone in the house is aware that you are working on the electrical system and that they should not turn the power back on.
Once the power is off, you can begin to disconnect the wires from the outlet terminals. First, remove the outlet cover plate by unscrewing the screws with a small flat-head screwdriver and pulling the cover plate away from the wall. Set the cover plate and screws aside in a safe place. Check that the power to the outlet is off by plugging in an appliance – if your hairdryer or toaster still works, the power is not off. To be certain, insert a non-contact voltage tester into each slot of the receptacle.
Now, gently pull the electrical outlet about two to three inches away from the wall. Take a close look at where the wires are connected and, if helpful, snap a photo to use as a reference when installing the new outlet. Using a voltage tester, confirm that there is no charge by touching each wire.
Finally, disconnect the wires from the outlet terminals. Inside each slot is a locking mechanism that holds the wire in place. You don’t need a special tool to release the wire from the outlet – only a small flat-head screwdriver.
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Identify wire types and colours
Before relocating electrical wiring and receptacles, it is crucial to identify the different wire types and colours to ensure a safe and proper installation. Here is a guide to help you identify wire types and colours:
Wire Types:
- Bare Copper Wire: This type of wire serves as the ground wire and is typically connected to the green screw on the receptacle. It is sometimes referred to as a green wire.
- Black Wire: Black wires carry live voltage and are commonly used to transfer electricity to lights, appliances, or devices. They can also be traveller wires, connecting multiple switches that control a single light.
- White Wire: The white wire is considered the neutral wire, returning electricity to the electrical panel after a black or red wire has delivered it to a device. It is important to note that in some cases, the white wire can also be used as a hot wire, but it should be properly marked with tape to indicate this usage.
- Red Wire: Red wires are also hot wires and are often used in conjunction with black wires for higher-voltage appliances.
- Other Wire Types: Depending on the age and location of your home, you may encounter other wire types, such as the knob and tube wiring (black hot wire and white neutral wire) commonly found in older homes or the flexible armoured cable primarily used in the 1920s-1940s.
Wire Colours:
- Black: Black wires indicate hot wires that carry live voltage.
- White/Grey: The US National Electrical Code mandates that grounded neutral conductors be white or grey.
- Green/Green-Yellow Striped: This colour indicates the protective ground wire, which can also be bare copper.
- Red: Red wires are also hot wires, often used in conjunction with black wires for higher-voltage appliances.
- Other Colours: While black, white, green, and red are the most common colours for wiring, other colours may be used for hot wires, except for white or grey, which are reserved for neutral conductors.
It is important to note that while these wire colours are standard, there may be variations in older homes or different jurisdictions. Always verify with a local professional or refer to local electrical codes for accurate information. Additionally, always ensure that the circuit breaker is turned off before handling any electrical wiring to avoid accidents.
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Cut a hole for the new outlet
Before you begin, it is important to turn off the breaker controlling the outlet. You can then remove the outlet cover and test the terminals with a noncontact voltage tester to ensure that the power is off.
Now, determine the new location of the outlet. You will need to trace the outline of a remodeling electrical box on the drywall, and cut along the outline with a keyhole or drywall saw to make a hole. If the new location is closer to the panel, you can push the wires out of the old electrical box and feed them through the hole.
If the outlet is farther from the panel, you have two options. If you don't plan to permanently cover the old electrical box, you can run a short length of cable between the old and new locations, splice the wire onto the wires in the old box, and cover the box with a blank cover plate. If the outlet is daisy-chained, you'll probably need to run a new cable from the new outlet location to the next device in the chain.
If you do plan to permanently cover the old electrical box, your only option is to run a new cable to the new outlet location directly from the panel or another switch or outlet. Feed the cables coming out of the hole through the back of a remodeling box and secure the box to the drywall by tightening the screws.
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Connect wires to the new outlet
Before connecting wires to a new outlet, it is important to take safety precautions. Ensure that the power to the circuit is turned off at the main electrical panel and verify it is off using a voltage tester. Check that the wires are in good condition, and trim off any nicks or scorch marks. Strip away about 3/4 inch of insulation from the ends of the wires to expose fresh copper.
Now, you are ready to connect the wires to the new outlet. Typically, the black or red wire is the hot wire and goes to the brass-colored screw, the white wire is the neutral wire and goes to the silver-colored screw, and the green or bare wire is the ground wire and goes to the green screw. Attach the wires to the correct terminals, wrapping them around the screws in a clockwise direction.
If you are using pigtails, you will need to create a J-shape at the end of each wire with needle-nose pliers. Then, connect the black wires, the white wires, and the ground wires separately, capping the end of each bundle with a wire connector. Attach the pigtails to the outlet around the proper screws, with the white wire going to the silver screw, the black wire to the gold screw, and the copper or green wire to the green ground screw.
Once all the wires are connected, gently bend the wires so they fit nicely into the outlet box. Push the outlet back into the electrical box and secure it with the screws. Attach the faceplate, turn the power back on, and test the outlet with a voltage tester to ensure it is working.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are dealing with an older home, it is best to call a professional as they may need to deal with issues such as 15-amp circuits, 12-gauge wire, GFCI outlets, etc.
Ensure that there is no electricity running to the outlet by turning off the circuit breaker. Double-check with a noncontact voltage tester.
You will need a battery-powered work light, a noncontact voltage tester, a wire cutter, and a drywall saw.
First, turn off the breaker and mark the wires with tape for easy identification. Then, determine the new location of the outlet and cut along the outline with a drywall saw. If the new location is closer to the panel, push the wires out of the old electrical box and feed them through the hole. If it is farther, run a short length of cable between the old and new locations, splice the wire onto the wires in the old box, and cover the box with a blank cover plate.
Some common mistakes include connecting the wrong wire to the wrong place, stripping too much or too little of the rubber casing off the wire, or incorrectly attaching the ends of the wire to the outlet.
