Installing a replacement exterior electrical outlet

Question

How do I install an electrical outlet?

StefanieB · Answer

Youtube is your friend. Just search 'install electrical outlet' and you'll be bombarded with how-to videos. Good luck!

Susie Rufener · Answer

call a qualified electrician

William · Answer

You can Google 'Installing a replacement exterior electrical outlet' and you will get a lot of sites. Review them and see if you can tackle the job. If you never worked with electricity, I advise hiring an electrician.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Agreed with William.

Jackie · Answer

It really isn't that difficult, main thing, turn off the power first.  Although my exhusband,  didn't do that.  (He was an electrician!)

Mike · Answer

Be certain to use a GFCI outlet.

Deanna Nassar · Answer

If you are actually installing a new outlet call an electrician.  Just replacing the plug.   Go to hardware store and get one approved for outdoor use.  I cut the power anytime I work on outlets.   Unscrew the  cover.   Unscrew the outlet from the box and pull out  to where you can see the connections.  Disconnect the wires.  Connect the wires to new outlet,  push back into the box and replace screws.  Replace cover, turn power back on and test it with a lamp to be sure it works before you need it.

Charles Hess · Answer

If you need to ask, perhaps it would be better to call an electrican or a handyman to do this for you.

Kapiteinterzee · Answer

Hi, I used to manufacture GFCIs so here is what it takes to install an exterior power outlet using a safety device that can save your, or someone else’s, life:
1.	After you have chosen a location on the exterior of your house, preferably behind an existing indoor receptacle, trace the periphery of the exterior weather rated plastic box (where the GFCI will be housed) onto the wall - offset about 6” from the existing inside receptacle box and at the same height;
2.	Once you have outlined the traced on the exterior wall use a ¼” drill to make a hole at each corner of the trace;
3.	Using a reciprocating saw, cut from hole to hole following the traced line and knock out the rectangular piece and discard;
4.	SAFETY NOTE - Turn the power off the circuit serving the inside receptacle that will provide power to the new GFCI exterior receptacle installation;
5.	Remove the cover plate and run a 3 conductor (14 AWG, 2 Conductor plus Ground, Flexible) cable from the existing receptacle, insuring that the conductors are screwed to the correct screw terminal on the old receptacle - black to black, white to white and ground to ground (the existing power receptacle and the new GFCI show which color goes to which screw terminal);
6.	Replace the cover plate on the old receptacle after you’ve routed the conductor cable to the new exterior receptacle;
7.	Place your exterior plastic box inside the rectangular hole you just cut out and note where the conductor cable is coming from – drill a hole in a corner of the plastic exterior box so that the cable can be routed into the box – be careful, the interior of the box will become very snug so try to carefully route the cable; 
8.	Secure the plastic exterior box to the exterior wall with the screws provided and seal the periphery with exterior waterproof silicone sealer;
9.	Connect the black, white and ground wires to the correct terminals on the GFCI and place the exterior receptacle face plate over the GFCI;
10.	Screw together the faceplate and GFCI using the screws supplied and insuring that the cable inside the box is not binding;
11.	Use silicone sealer to insure that the faceplate and it’s rubber gasket seal firmly against the wall;   
12.	Plug a lamp into the exterior receptacle and turn the power back on the circuit now serving both receptacles. . . the lamp’s bulb should go on when turned on.
13.	If the lamp does not go on - there is a loose connection between the two receptacles. Take the lamp to the inside receptacle, plug it in and check to see if it lights. If it does, then the loose connection is from the interior to the exterior receptacle. If it does not, the issue is with the connection from the breaker box to the interior receptacle. After you turn the power off to the circuit – open up the interior receptacle or exterior GFCI receptacle and check your connections. Insure they are tight. Repeat the check process.

Materials List:  (1) 15 or 20 amp GFCI – (1) Exterior Use Plastic Housing Box – (1) Exterior Weather Resistant Faceplate – (1) 24” 14AWG 2 Conductor plus Ground (cut to size when routed from one receptacle to the other,)

These are very simple steps that you can verify viewing the videos other posters to this string have noted. A little work but worth it! Good luck.

Charlotte Belange · Answer

If it's a GFI or GFCI same thing  I was married to an electrican. Allways call
a electrican or go to Homedepot or lowes they have books on how to.  Good luck.

Virginia R. Wallace · Answer

Replacing is easy....turn off the breaker. Remove the old receptacle and take it with you to the store cause you want the same kind that was there!  All receptacles are not GFI and you may have  a GFI breaker instead.

Norm Duffy · Answer

Check with an electrician first,make sure he is up todate on what is needed as the code has changed,at least in Ontario,even if you have a Gfci you must protect it with the Bubble cover now.

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