Thrasher Electrical Stresses Be safe, Not Sorry
We suggest that all work on your residential wiring and lighting system be performed by a licensed, certified Atlanta electrician. Call 770-217-7527 to schedule service on outlets, installing flat screen t.v.s, lighting and more.
Whenever you plan to work on an electrical project your first step is to turn off the power to the circuit at the breaker box. Use a circuit tester to insure that there is power to begin with, then turn it off. Once you have turned off the circuit, go back and check again with your tester, making sure that there is not power to the circuit. When you are certain there is no power to the circuit, begin installing your new outlet.
Stripping or Cutting the Romex Sheathing
There are two fairly easy ways to strip the sheathing from the outside of your Romex wiring. one way to do this is to use a sharp utility knife and make a cut in the center of the wire, about six inches from the end. Do not cut too deeply, this is where the bare ground wire is and by cutting in this way you are less likely to damage the insulated wires. Your other choice is to cut the plastic and the filler paper with side cutting pliers also called “electrical dykes”. Use the pliers to make a starting cut clear around the wire, then remove it carefully without damaging the plastic coating on the white and black insulated wires.
Exposing the Wire Conductors
You will need to strip an appropriate amount of electrical insulation from the wires in order to connect to an electrical outlet. Use wire strippers to do this by choosing the correct size on the wire stripping gauge, for example #12 to strip NM12-2 because it matches the size of the wire you are stripping. Start about 3/4 inches from the end of the insulated wire and strip the insulation to the end. That should be enough exposed wire to connect to the outlet.
Grounding the Outlet
Using the hole in the wire strippers, bend your ground wire into a half moon or half circle shape, open on one side. Place that partial loop around the ground screw, leaving the opening to the right. When you leave the opening to the right the loop will tighten as you tighten the screw, thus securing your connection. If you were to place the opening facing left the action of putting in the screw would open it so that it would become disconnected.
Connecting the Neutral Wire
The next connection you will make is the neutral connection. How it is configured will depend on the brand of the outlet you are installing. Generally speaking, the white (neutral) wire will connect to the silver terminal if there is one. If the brand you have chosen does not have the terminal, connect the neutral the same as you connected the ground wire to a screw. Make sure that the loop opens to the right and use a screwdriver to tighten it.
This Information is continued: Installing an Electrical Outlet Part 2
