How to Wire Electrical Outlets Yourself Without an Electrician's Help

Installing electrical outlets yourself can seem daunting, but with proper preparation and by following safety precautions, it is quite doable for a homeowner. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to wire electrical outlets yourself without an electrician's help:

Safety Tips

What You'll Need

Replacing an Existing Outlet

Replacing an outlet is straightforward:

  1. Unscrew and remove the old outlet cover plate.
  2. Disconnect the wires one by one by unscrewing them from the outlet and capping them off with wire nuts to keep them separated.
  3. Unscrew the outlet from the electrical box and carefully extract it without tugging wires.
  4. Match the new outlet's hot, neutral and ground wires to the existing outlet's corresponding wires.
  5. Secure the outlet to the box, screw wires into their terminals, then screw on the cover plate.

Be sure to turn the circuit off, test for power, and cap unused wires!

Adding a New Outlet

Running a new outlet line is more involved but can be broken down into simple steps:

Planning

Wiring

Finishing Touches

The key is proper planning, safe procedures, and double checking connections. Take it slow and be cautious. While wiring outlets takes diligence, the rewards of adding outlets yourself are satisfying!