A set number of electrical outlets are installed when your house is built. However, you may discover you need an additional outlet or have to use cumbersome and unsafe extension cords. Installing an additional electrical outlet is not particularly difficult and is, in fact, an excellent do-it-yourselfer project. With a minimum of hand tools, most of which many homeowners already have on hand, you can add an electrical outlet to any wall in your home.

Preparation

Installing an additional electrical outlet is better than using an extension cord

1. You will need to find an existing wall switch or electrical outlet to extend electrical power to your new outlet location. It is best to bring power from a light switch on the wall, down to the new electrical outlet directly below it.
2. With a stud finder, determine the stud location on one side or the other of the electrical light switch.
3. Plumb down from that side of the light switch to the outlet height and mark the side of the stud at that location.
4. Hold the outlet box against the wall at your stud mark and mark around the edge of it.
5. Cut the hole in the wall with a keyhole saw, jigsaw, or sawzall. Be aware that there may be electrical wires inside the wall at that point so prevent your blade from penetrating the wall any farther than necessary.

Removing the light switch

1. Turn off the power to the light switch at the circuit breaker panel. Test the light switch with a volt/ohm tester or circuit tester to make sure the power is indeed off.
2. Remove the light switch cover plate.
3. Remove the light switch from the box.

Installing the new outlet wiring

1. Feed an electrical fish tape through one of the light switch box knock-outs down the wall toward the outlet box.
2. Pull the end of the fish tape out of the wall and connect a length of 12/2 wire with ground to it.
3. Pull the fish tape and electrical wire up inside the wall and out through the light switch box.
4. Push a knock-out slug out of the new box. Pull the end of the 12/2 with ground wire through the outlet box.

Installing the new outlet

1. Place the outlet box in the wall and fasten it with screws to the side of the stud. Make sure the face of the box is flush with the finish surface of the sheetrock wall.
2. Wire the new outlet to the 12/2 with ground wire. Make certain to connect the ground wire to the green ground screw on the outlet.
3. Wire the 12/2 with ground to the existing light switch. You may need to install pigtails on the hot, neutral, and ground wires of the light switch; then connect the line and load wires to the pigtails with wire nuts and electrical tape.
4. Reinstall the light switch and light switch cover plate.
5. Install the new outlet in the outlet box.
6. Install the outlet cover plate.

Tips

You can wire the light switch and new outlet such that operating the light switch controls the outlet. Simply connect the light switch neutral wire to the outlet hot wire; then connect the outlet neutral to the neutral going back to the electrical panel.

If you have to cut the outlet hole larger than normal, use an oversize electrical outlet cover plate to conceal the hole.

Replacing circuit breakers is not difficult as long as you follow all electrical safety rules

The lights went out in one or more areas of your home or none of the outlets in one particular room work. What happened? Should you call an electrician? Certainly an electrician could find and fix the problem but there are some things you can do as well, especially if you are inclined to do it yourself. The first thing to do is check the circuit breakers in your electrical panel. You may find that the circuit breaker that you suspect is having problems will not reset. You flip the switch to the off position and then back on but it pops back to the middle position and you still have no electricity. Almost certainly the circuit breaker has failed. Another indicator of a bad circuit breaker is if it looks burned or brown/black near the terminal. It may even be cracked or broken.

Removing a circuit breaker

1. Take note of what type and style of electrical panel you have. If it is, for example, a 200 amp square D panel, you will need to purchase a square D circuit breaker.
2. Turn off the main power at the electrical panel main switches. Those are usually the large heavy switches at the top of your panel.
3. Remove the four screws that hold the electrical panel cover in place.
4. Remove the cover and set it aside.
5. Using a multi-meter, verify that there is no power to the circuit breaker that you want to change.
6. If the circuit breaker is a single pole type, pop the breaker free of the electrical panel center bus bar. You can usually do this by prying gently with a flat bladed screwdriver against the back end of the breaker.
7. Now, pull the breaker free of the mount bar near the wire connection.
8. Unscrew the terminal screw on the old breaker and remove the wire, usually a black one.

Installing the new circuit breaker

1. Install the wire on the new breaker. Be sure to tighten the terminal screw securely.
2. Hook the front of the circuit breaker over the mount bar.
3. Pivot the breaker down and press it firmly into place over the center buss bar.
4. Make sure the circuit breaker is off.
5. Replace the panel cover.
6. Turn on the main electrical panel power.
7. Make sure all the appliances on that particular circuit are off.
8. Flip the new circuit breaker to the on position.
9. Check to make sure that all the outlets and/or lights work.

Tips

Different electrical panel manufacturers use different styles of circuit breakers. Make certain that you have the correct circuit breaker for your electrical panel. Circuit breakers in different manufacturer’s electrical panels may mount differently. Inspect your carefully before you start work to verify that the circuit breaker is the push in type.

Verify that the new circuit breaker is the proper amp rating for the circuit. It is best to replace the old circuit breaker with the same amp rating new one.

Handle the new circuit breaker carefully. Dropping it or forcing it into position can break it.

If you do not have the proper test equipment to work on the electrical panel or you are uncertain about how to proceed, it is best to call in a professional electrician.

GFI outlets are an NEC approved type of electrical outlet that is required in potentially wet areas in homes like bathrooms and kitchens.

GFI stands for Ground Fault Interrupter and is an electrical outlet with a built-in circuit breaker. Basically, the GFI outlet trips when it senses a difference in current flow above a certain set point. The outlet can be reset by pushing the reset button but the reason the outlet tripped should be discovered and fixed first. The purpose of the GFI outlet is to protect you from electrocution. According to OSHA, you may experience a brief minor electrical shock before the outlet trips, however. Installing a GFI outlet or receptacle is not difficult as long as you carefully follow the directions.

Removal of the old electrical outlet

GFI outlets are for your protection

1. Turn off the power to the circuit you will be working on. Either flip the appropriate circuit breaker in your electrical panel, or unscrew and remove the appropriate fuse.
2. If you do not know which circuit breaker or fuse controls the circuit you will be working on, you can find out by plugging in an electrical appliance like a hair dryer and turning it on. Then, turn off each circuit breaker in your electrical panel one by one until you find the one that turns off the hair dryer. Leave it off, mark it, and seal it with a piece of tape that says, “Leave off!”
3. Do not work on the old outlet until you have tested it with a circuit tester or multi-meter to verify that the power to it is, indeed, off.
4. Unscrew and remove the outlet cover plate.
5. Remove the two screws that hold the old outlet in the outlet receptacle box.
6. Pull the old outlet out of the box, straightening the wires connected to it as you go.
7. If there are only three wires connected to the outlet, it is located at the end of a series of outlets and lights.
8. If there are four or more wires connected to it, it is located in the middle of a series circuit.
9. Unscrew the terminal screws and remove the wires.

Install the new GFI outlet

1. Determine which wires come from the electrical panel. Separate the wires in the outlet receptacle box and secure the room the outlet is located in by posting a friend or family member to watch that no one enters. Turn on the circuit breaker at the electrical panel. Using a circuit tester or multi-meter, test the exposed wires to determine which ones are live. Mark them and turn the power back off.
2. Connect the wires from the electrical panel to the terminals on the GFI outlet marked “Line”. Connect the remaining wires to the terminals marked “Load”.
3. Insulate the wire connections by wrapping the terminals in a layer of electrical tape.
4. Make sure you connect the ground wire to the proper terminal usually marked green.
5. Push the GFI outlet into the receptacle box and install both screws that secure the outlet to the box.
6. Install the outlet cover plate.
7. Turn on the power at the electrical panel.
8. Test the outlet. Push the “test” button and you should hear an audible click. Plug an appliance like a hair dryer into the outlet. It should not work.
9. Press the reset button to restore power to the outlet.

Tips

If there were four or more wires going to the old outlet, the GFI is installed in the middle of a series circuit. After installing the GFI outlet, test each remaining outlet that you suspect is on the same circuit to make sure that each one has power. Do not forget to check lights, as well, because lights can be on an outlet circuit.

Porch lights have not only an esthetic function, but a practical one as well. They provide lighting for your entryways for security and safety at night. You can find porch light fixtures in a bewildering array of styles, sizes, and finishes. But, like everything, they wear out over time, need to be replaced as styles change, or as a finishing touch to a remodel. So, learn how to change porch light fixtures and add this skill to your bevy of do-it-yourself capabilities. Changing porch light fixtures is not a difficult job but it does require some attention to detail, especially safety concerns since you will be working with electricity.

Preparation

Porch lights have a practical as well as esthetic function

1. Make sure that you purchased a wet location fixture if your porch light will be exposed to the weather.
2. Determine which circuit in your electrical panel controls the porch light. If that circuit is not clearly marked in the panel you will have to manually determine which one does.
3. Leave your porch light on and begin turning off individual circuit breakers or unscrewing individual fuses in your electrical panel and turning them back on again one at a time until you find the one you need.
4. Turn off that circuit breaker or unscrew the fuse and post it with a note or some tape indicating that the circuit is being worked on and to leave it off. Red works real well for this purpose.
5. It is best to check the porch light wiring with a circuit tester or multi-meter before working on it just to make sure that the electricity is indeed off.

Removal

1. Disassemble the fixture by removing glass panels or globes.
2. Remove the light bulb.
3. Remove the small metal nuts or screws that hold the fixture to the electrical junction box.
4. Inside the box, pull out the wires that connect to the fixture.
5. Remove the wire nuts on the black wire and the white wire.
6. Remove the ground wire from the ground screw on the fixture.

Installation

1. Disassemble the new porch light fixture, if necessary.
2. Have a helper hold the light fixture while you connect the ground wire to the green ground screw in the back or base of the fixture.
3. Connect the black wire from the fixture to the black wire in the box with a wire nut.
4. Connect the white wire to the white wire in the box in the same way.
5. Mount the fixture to the mount bar of the junction box.
6. Tighten the mount screws.
7. Reassemble the light fixture.
8. Restore the electrical power and remove the note from your electrical panel.
9. Test the light fixture by turning the switch on and off.

Tips

Porch light fixtures utilize small parts such as screws, nuts, and washers. Use a container to keep these parts from being lost while you are working on the light.

If you need to use a ladder to reach the fixture, make sure it is positioned properly. It is best to have someone steady the ladder while you are on it.

Use all the safety measures needed for working on electricity.

Electrical outlets, or receptacles, wear out over time and require replacement. Older outlets may not even have a ground prong  receptacle. These should be changed out for safety. Knowing when an electrical outlet has worn out and needs replacement is easy. If you have to wiggle the electrical cord plug in the outlet in order to get your appliance to work, chances are the outlet has worn out or is defective. If the plug on your electrical cord will not stay plugged in, the outlet is worn, as well.

Preparation

1. You need to disconnect the electrical power to the outlet. If your electrical panel is labeled, flip the appropriate circuit breaker to the off position and place a piece of tape labeled “Leave off” over the circuit breaker switch. If you have an old style electrical panel with fuses, simply unscrew the appropriate fuse and remove it. If you do not know which circuit breaker applies to your outlet, it is better to turn off all the power at the panel to be safe.
2. Test for electricity at the outlet before attempting to remove it. Use an electrical tester, either a multi-meter (volt-ohm meter) or an outlet tester to verify that the electricity is, indeed, off.

Removal

1. Remove the outlet cover plate.
2. Using a fine slotted screwdriver, unscrew the small screws that hold the outlet to the receptacle box in the wall.
3. Carefully pull the outlet free of the box.
4. Note the location of all the wires in the box, especially those that connect to the outlet.
5. If the wires insert into the back of the outlet, simply insert the tip of a fine blade screwdriver or a small pointed object into the hole in the back of the outlet and push inward. This will free the wire.
6. If the wires wrap around a terminal screw, loosen the screw and pull the wire free.

Installation

1. Installation is the reverse of removal. If you have an outlet that is different from the original, simply connect the black wire to the gold terminal screw and the white wire to the silver terminal screw.
2. Be sure to connect the bare copper ground wire to the green ground screw on the outlet.
3. Reinstall the outlet in the junction box with the two screws.
4. Reinstall the cover plate.
5. Restore the electricity, removing the tape you used to safely lock out the circuit breaker or fuse.
6. Check the outlet for electricity with your tester or multi-meter.

Tips

Check your local electrical codes or the National Electrical Code for proper requirements for the electrical outlet you are going to replace.

Some locations like bathrooms are now required to have ground fault interrupter style electrical outlets. These are the ones with their own little test buttons in the center of the outlet.

Make sure that all the connections in the outlet box are tight. Replace any wire nuts that seem loose, fall off, or that you can pull free.

Make certain that all the terminal screws on the new outlet are securely tightened.

Wrap a piece of electrical tape around both sides, over the terminal screws, and the back of the electrical outlet before you reinstall it. This will help prevent damage and fires from arcing.