Electrical Work For Home Expansion – I’ve had a couple of emails asking how we converted a wall socket to an extension socket for our TV room coffee table. This socket, built into the front of the table, allows us to use the electrical socket behind the sofa – without having to move the sofa out of the way. I managed to catch Tom long enough to get him to show me what he was doing.
I shouldn’t have to mention this, but if you’re not comfortable/savvy working around electricity and outlets, don’t try to install this yourself.
Electrical Work For Home Expansion
Update: We recently upgraded to an outlet with built-in USB ports, and I asked Tom to switch to a grounded cable at that time. The instructions are the same – see additional steps for attaching the third (ground) wire below.
Nec 2023 Code Changes
For this reconstruction we used spare parts we had lying around, but I will also alternate the pictures and instructions with what we did the first time. But the steps are exactly the same.
If you’re installing this outlet on the surface of a board – like a table – the first thing you’ll want to do is cut a hole in the table the same size as the electrical box. Tom used a rotary zipper saw, but you could also use a jigsaw.
When Tom installed the original outlets he used an airtight electrical box like this that had a frame around it.
He could screw the frame directly to the underside of the table. An airtight box was not needed but that was all the store had in stock. If your electrical box does not have a frame, you can install a piece of scrap wood on the underside of your surface and attach the box to it. That’s what I’m going to show you here.
Diy Extension Cord With Built In Switch
Mount the fire box in place and hold the scrap against it, along the side of the box with the bracket.
Drill pilot holes through your surface and into the scrap board. Make sure they are very, very close to the hole so the faceplate covers them.
Turn the table upside down and place it on a stable surface such as a workbench, or even on the floor. It will be much easier to attach the electrical box without having to crawl under the table. Using the holes in the electrical box bracket as a guide, attach screws on each side so that the box is firmly attached to your scrap board.
As I mentioned, if you are using an airtight box with a frame, just use short screws and attach the box directly to the underside of your surface. You don’t want the screws poking through the top, so measure carefully. I prefer the look of the airtight box but you have to work with what you can find. And from the top it won’t look any different.
How Much Does A Home Addition Cost? (2024)
Once your box is mounted on the board, you can work on attaching the cables. Take your extension cord and cut off the outlet plug (outlet end). Our outlet is only used to plug in lights, phones, computers, etc., so we bought a light 2-prong cord, but if you use your outlet for heavier loads or in wet areas, you’ll want a 3-prong grounded cord.
Take the cut end of the cord and separate the two wire bundles. Using your side cutters, a knife or wire stripper, carefully cut through the plastic casing without cutting the wire inside and pull it off. You want about an inch of exposed wire. Do this on both wires. Twist each bundle of exposed wire tightly so it doesn’t fan out.
If you use a grounded wire, there will only be a sheath. When you take it off you will find three more wire sleeves, white, black and green. The green is the grounded wire. You will need to remove an inch of each colored sheath to expose the copper wire. It should look something like this:
Feed the two wires through one of the openings on the underside of the electrical box. The tabs are made of plastic, so you should be able to push them in slightly, enough to get the wire through. Pull the wire up through the front of the box so you have enough to work with.
The U.s. Is Running Low On The Machines Needed To Avoid Blackouts And Quit Fossil Fuels
Your electrical outlet comes with 4 brass screws, 2 on each side. Tighten one on each side just to get it out of the way.
Take one of your cables and twist the exposed end around one of the (untightened) screws on the outlet. Make sure you twist the thread in the same direction you’re tightening the screw (usually clockwise). Tighten the screw. Repeat this on the other side of the outlet.
If you are using an extension cord with a third ground wire, attach that wire (which you previously stripped as above) to either the green screw at the bottom of the electrical box or to the green screw located right on the electrical outlet. Either location works, because when the outlet is connected to the box, the circuit will be complete.
Once your cables are connected, screw the outlet into the box through the holes on each end (the correct screws should come with your outlet). Attach your faceplate and you’re done.
How Much Does A Bump Out Addition Cost? (2024)
When we put out the outlets in the coffee table, we used a larger rectangular outlet versus the usual outlet with rounded corners. These sockets require a slightly larger face plate – which is beneficial to you if you use the scrap board mounting method and need to cover up your screw holes.
Once Tom showed me how to install this outlet, I couldn’t believe how easy it was. I’m terrified of electricity, but I think even I could do this without fear of zapping myself.
I’m thinking of attaching one to the side of my craft table so I don’t have to crawl under the table all the time to plug things in – sewing machine, Silhouette cutter, laptop, etc. I’m changing them out and moving them around all the time – this will make it much easier. Not to mention, I can move the table around and the outlet will move with me. As electrical technology advances, the need to upgrade residential electrical panels increases. If your home was built before 1980, it’s likely that your current electrical panel is outdated and in need of an upgrade. The good news is that upgrading your electrical panel can not only increase the security of your home wiring system, but also give you more electrical outlets and a higher amperage for all your appliances.
An old or inefficient electrical panel can become a major problem when it is overloaded with new appliances, plumbing systems and even solar panels. When the energy load exceeds what the electrical panels already installed in the home can handle, both safety and energy efficiency are compromised.
How Much Does A New Jersey Home Addition Cost?
In this case, you should seriously consider upgrading your electrical panel to ensure that all these components receive sufficient power and that your house remains both safe and energy efficient. From selecting and installing a panel to calculating the amperage needed to ensure everything is working properly, an experienced professional will be able to get your home running at the highest efficiency and safety standards.
If you’re unsure whether or not it’s time to upgrade your electrical panel, look out for the following signs.
It is important to upgrade your residential electrical panel if it was built more than four decades ago. Older homes with outdated panels may not be able to properly handle modern appliances and electronics, leading to either dangerous failures or sluggish, degraded performance.
If your home is in this category, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that modern systems significantly reduce the risk of overheating, shock and fire. Have an electrician inspect the panel to determine how much power capacity allows when adding new devices or services; they can also quote you on a potential upgrade.
Electrical Panel Relocation: 7 Step Guide, Cost Breakdown & Expert Tips
You’ll benefit from improved security, improved power distribution, and the ability to relieve the stress your system has been carrying for too long!
Does your circuit breaker trip frequently? It could be a sign that you need to upgrade your residential electrical panel. With the increased demand on our electrical systems, an outdated electrical panel can mean the risk of overload or even worse – a fire.
An electrician can help you determine how best to upgrade your system. Your local utility may even have incentives to upgrade to more efficient equipment, which can save you money in the long run.
Taking advantage of these upgrades not only improves the security of your home; it also helps save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Investing in an upgraded panel is well worth the effort, so take the time to talk to an electrician about updating yours today.
What Is Electrical Engineering
Upgrading a residential electrical panel is an important safety measure that all homeowners should consider, especially if you have fuses instead of circuits