Dinamitek presents a guide on how to add a power outlet to your home.

How to Add a Wall Outlet with Dinamitek

To run additional cables in your home, you must first take measurements and verify that your project is safe to do.

To work on the electrical system, disconnect the power supply and verify that there is no current . You can use the electrostatic voltmeter to ensure that there is no current in the system.

AC CURRENT DETECTOR

The first thing to do is drill a hole in the wall where you want to install the outlet . Keep it the same height as the other outlets in your home. Measure them by removing the cover plate to get an accurate measurement.

To find the exact spot for the new outlet, however, you need to use other parameters, not just the height from the ground. Outlets are fixed to supporting posts for safety reasons . These have a cross-section of 5x10 or 5x15 and should be inserted along the wall at intervals of 40 or 60 cm. These posts can be identified with a special locator, or by knocking on the wall to find the "full" sound.

Now that you've identified the exact spot for the new outlet, you just need to do one last check before you start drilling. Make sure there aren't any other wiring or pipes in that area.

To make the hole in the wall, use the drill . Make four holes at the corners and finish the job with the jigsaw .

Insert the box into the hole you just drilled and lock it securely. If you're not careful with this step, you'll find yourself with the box in your hand when you unplug the outlet.

Now you need to insert the three wires into the box. For the power, you have three wires: positive, negative, and ground. These three wires must come out in the same direction as the other outlet where the power is drawn. You can draw power from the main switch or from another outlet . You'll also need to drill a hole in the wall at the point where you want to connect the power. The cable you insert for the new outlet must be compatible with those of the existing system and must be able to handle the power you expect to use when you turn on the power.

Once the cable is taut, proceed with the connection. It's a good idea to have 30-40 cm of electrical wire sticking out on each side to make the connection easier . First connect the new socket and then the side to the existing circuit. To make the connections, strip 20 cm of the wire.
The cable consists of a main sheath containing three wires. They are usually white, black, and green. The housing has two brass screws, two silver screws, and one green screw. The colors are not random; they indicate the exact position for a safe and functional installation.

The correct way to proceed involves using plenty of electrical tape: isolate all the wire connections and all the screws.

The green wire connects to the uninsulated copper wire and attaches to the green screw.

The white wire should be bent into a hook and wrapped around the silver screw. It will secure by tightening the screw. The black wire should be bent into a loop and wrapped around the brass screw. Stripping 2 cm of wire will make the process very easy.

Now all you have to do is attach the box to the wall. Make sure there are no dangerous cables hanging from the wall. The box is secured to the wall with special clips .

The part concerning the new side of the system is finished, now you need to proceed with connecting your section to the existing network.

Start by disassembling the box: the goal is to remove the individual wires, match them with the new ones, and reinsert them into the box. Follow the colors when matching the wires; this is a crucial step; carefully check what you're doing.

The stripped and curled wires, about 2 cm long, are connected to each other by intertwining the copper fibers. Place them close together, pinch them with your fingers, and move your hand as if you were wrapping them. The plastic cone connectors screwed over the wires serve to protect them. The other end of the curled wires is connected to the screws following the same logic used previously . Green wire with green screw, white wire with silver screw, and black wire with brass screw.

Once this step is complete, reinsert everything into the wall and close the opening with the new protective plate . Only two screws are needed to secure it.

Repair any holes in the wall that are left exposed .

All you have to do is check if your new system is working: Turn on the main switch and see if the circuit breaker trips. If it doesn't, you've connected it properly. Now test the outlet by plugging in a lamp or appliance. If it works, you're done . If it doesn't, continue checking.

If a fuse blows or the appliance simply won't turn on, unplug the main power supply again and check all newly made connections. Wires may become loose and disconnected when installing the boxes. Even when carrying out checks, always remember to work on a disconnected circuit .

The new outlet can also be checked with a voltmeter. This check is designed to detect overloads. Your home electrical supply should be 15 amps. A voltmeter allows you to perform this check: connect it between the screws on the switch and to ground, without ever touching the neutral wire. The maximum available power should be 1800 watts, divided as follows: 1400 watts used and the remainder as a "reserve" for when you need to connect a high-voltage appliance.

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Expand your home electricity system with Dinamitek.