How to Move an Electrical Outlet
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Typically, electrical outlets are placed 18 inches above the floor. This may have happened when the electrician was carrying out the electrical wiring works. However, this does not limit you from making adjustments when the need arises. For example, when you mount your television on the wall, you may choose to have the plug just behind the TV. This hides the wires, and you hardly seem them hanging.
How to Move an Electrical Outlet up The Wall
If you want to move the electrical outlet above the wall, then there is no cause to worry. You are in the right place. Follow these guidelines, and you will appreciate how simple the process is.
- Gathering Tools Needed
It is unheard off to begin any task without the tools needed. This still applies when you want to move an electrical outlet. You should know that this is a delicate process that requires you to have all the tools ready. Here are the materials that should be close to you;
- electrical cable
- Blank wall plate
- Jab saw
- Light or radio
- Needle-nose pliers
- Non-contact voltage tester
- Screwdriver
- Single-gang electrical remodel box
These are the materials that determine how easy it will be for you to perform the task.
- Turn off The Power
Before anything else, you must ensure that the power if off. Locate the breaker to the circuit and turn it off. Take all the necessary precaution when moving the electrical outlet. Electricity can cause shock, burn or death. Therefore, it is advisable to show some level of cautiousness. Otherwise, you may become a victim. Here are some of the precautions you should take;
- Ensure you use rubber gripped hand tools. This protects you from shocks.
- Tape a note on the panel box to inform your family members that you are working on the electricity. This warns them from turning on the breaker when you are operating the electrical outlet.
- Always wear rubber-soled shoes when working with electricity.
- Before you touch any wire, ensure you test it’s current using a non-contact voltage tester.
If you are not sure which circuit breaker supplies the power then you can plug a radio or the light to the wall plug (that you seek to move). Go ahead and turn off each circuit breaker until the breaker successfully powers off the radio or the light. You can use the non-contact voltage as well. Place it against the wall plug. In case you have not turn off the breaker, the tester will produce and alarm and light to confirm that.
- Removing the Screws
Once you are sure that everything is completely fine, it is now time to loosen the screws. Using the screwdriver, begin by removing the single screw holding the cover plate to the wall plug. Once done, gently remove the cover plate and keep it on the table.
Loosen the screws used to hold the plug to the top and bottom. For a complete change of location, you will have to loosen the screws holding the electrical wires. Pull the wires sides in such a way that ends do not meet each other.
- Getting the Work Done
Locate where you seek to move the electrical outlet. That must be a place above where the original plug was located. Take a template, place it around the area you want to fix the electrical outlet and trace it using a pencil.
Using the jib saw, cut the drywall following the line you traced using the template. The design of the jib saw makes it easier to cut through the drywall without a struggle. After a few minutes, you will realize you have made a hole for the new plug with little effort.
Slowly but firmly push the Romex wire from the new opening until it appears on the bottom of the older opening where the original outlet was located. Ensure that you pull out a few inches of the cable and feed it to the top opening of the outlet box. On the original opening locate the Romex cable and remove 1 inch of the insulation. Do this to both the black and white wires. Now it is time to connect the old wires to the new cable. To do that, you must match the white and black wires of the cable to black and white wires connected to the old outlet. This is an important step that you should never get it wrong. Join the two wires and twist them until they hold to each other firmly. Wrap this open parts with the black tape.
On the original opening place the box and use the screwdriver to attach the screws to fix the mounting tab. Then, place the outlet cover onto the box and attach the screws at the top and bottom. This ensures you completely seal off the hole.
On the new opening slide the cable via the bottom of the outlet. Place the outlet box in the opening and turn the mounting tabs to make sure that the box is held in position. Remove around 0.5 inches of insulation from both the black and white wire.
Place the back wire under the brass screw and tighten. For the white wire, place it under the silver screw and tighten.
Now, you are most coming to the end of the procedure. Place the outlet into the outlet box and remember to tighten both the bottom and top screws.
Place the outlet cover to the box and tighten the single screw. Switch on the circuit breaker and check out whether your electrical outlet is working. If it is not working, you may need the services of a qualified electrician. But if you have keenly followed all the guidelines laid down, there is no reason as to why you should miss it.
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