To install an electrical outlet, the Atlanta electricians at Thrasher always stress safety first. The first part of this article can be found here: How To Wire and Install an Electrical Outlet
Connecting the Hot Wire
Just as the white (neutral) wire connected to the silver terminal, the black (hot) wire will connect to the brass terminal. If there is no terminal, attach to the available screw, leaving the opening to the right so that the action of the screw driver will tighten it down.This black wire corresponds to the small straight slot on the front of the outlet plate. Pay close attention to how you attach the black wire. You do not want any of the copper wire left exposed because it is the hot wire and could short out the outlet or another wire. The insulation should come clear up to touch the back of your outlet.
Installing the Box
Determine if you can put the outlet into the electrical box safely by doing a trial run. Take care to bend or fold the wires into the box so that they will fit, without being pinched when the outlet is pushed into the box. When you are able to fit the wires and outlet in the box, then you are ready to install the outlet with the two screws provided. The preferred method is to install with the ground wire in the upper position. This is a safety precaution so that if something is plugged in and it gets damaged from above, or a child manages to slide a paperclip or something else into the outlet, the ground wire is on top and the outlet will short out, rather than electrocuting someone. The person who causes the short would likely be scared, but still alive.
Installing the Outlet Cover
This is the easiest part of this project. Make sure that you have the cover square and level, then attach it with the small screw that comes with it. Make sure not to over tighten it and crack the cover.
Turning on the Circuit Breaker
Once you have installed the box, you are ready to go to the circuit box and turn on the breaker. After you have done so, use your tester to make sure that that the circuit is working properly. You should read 120 volts from both the hot to neutral and hot to ground connections. Those readings indicate success.
