Alexei Volkov
Installing a plastic receptacle box is a great way to add outlets to a wall that's already covered in drywall. This process is also known as installing a remodeling box. It's important to note that safety is key when working with electricity, so be sure to turn off the power at your circuit breaker panel box and use a voltage tester to ensure the power is off before beginning. The first step is to find and mark the place where you'll install the new box, ensuring that you don't install it next to a stud or pipes. Once you've marked the spot, you can cut a hole in the wall—big enough for the box—using a sharp tool like a drywall saw or a high-speed grinder. After the hole is cut, you can pull the cable through and connect the wiring to the outlet in the box. Finally, screw the outlet into the box securely, attach the faceplate, and turn the power back on.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | Before starting, turn off the power at your circuit breaker panel box. Use a voltage tester to ensure the power is off at the outlet to prevent electrical injuries. |
| Location | Find and mark the place where you'll install the new box. Use a stud finder to ensure that you don't install your box next to a stud or pipes. |
| Hole size | Cut a hole in the wall big enough for the box. |
| Wiring | Connect the new wiring to the outlet in the old box. Use wire strippers to strip 5/8 inch of insulation off the end of each wire. Then, use new wire connectors to connect the wires from the new cable to the existing wiring. |
| Mounting | Pull the cable through the hole in the wall where the new outlet will be located. Insert the wires through the hole in the back of the box and insert the box into the hole. Screw down the clamping tabs until the box is tight against the wall. |
| Screws | Turn the screws to turn the two plastic wings behind the drywall, forcing the box against the drywall. |
| Height | There are no precise code guidelines for how high receptacle boxes should be positioned. Professionals follow certain standards for a uniform look. The common practice is to install them so the bottom edge is between 12 and 53 inches from the floor. |
| Wall thickness | Most residential drywall is 1/2- or 3/8-inch thick. If you are using a different wall thickness, ensure the reference strips match that thickness. |
| Nails | Plastic electrical boxes can be fragile. When nailing the box, use light, careful blows rather than heavy swings of the hammer. |
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What You'll Learn
- Ensure the power is off at the circuit breaker and use a voltage tester to check
- Mark the installation spot, avoiding studs and pipes
- Cut a hole in the wall, slightly bigger than the box
- Push out the nails on the box, so they can be hammered into the wall
- Screw the outlet into the box, attach the faceplate, and turn the power back on
Ensure the power is off at the circuit breaker and use a voltage tester to check
Before installing a plastic receptacle box, it is imperative to prioritise safety. This involves ensuring that the power is turned off at the circuit breaker panel box. By doing so, you eliminate the risk of electrical injuries while working.
To verify that the power is indeed off, utilise a voltage tester. Voltage testers, including non-contact voltage testers or voltage tester pens, are essential tools to guarantee your safety. They allow you to confirm that the outlet is power-free before proceeding with the installation.
The process of using a voltage tester is straightforward. First, turn off the power at the circuit breaker. Then, take your voltage tester and test the outlet to ensure that no electricity is flowing to it. This simple step provides peace of mind and ensures your protection.
Once you have confirmed that the power is off, you can confidently begin the installation process, knowing that the risk of electrical injury has been mitigated. Remember, when it comes to electrical work, safety always comes first. By taking the necessary precautions, you can ensure a safe and successful installation of your plastic receptacle box.
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Mark the installation spot, avoiding studs and pipes
When installing a plastic receptacle box, it is important to carefully mark the installation spot, avoiding studs and pipes. This step is crucial to ensure a secure and functional installation. Here is a detailed guide to help you through this process:
Firstly, safety should be your top priority when working with electrical installations. Before marking the installation spot, ensure that you have turned off the power at your circuit breaker panel box. Utilise a voltage tester to guarantee that the power is indeed off at the outlet, preventing any electrical injuries. This simple step can ensure your safety throughout the installation process.
Now, let's begin marking the installation spot. Use a stud finder to locate the studs in your wall. It is crucial to avoid installing the receptacle box directly onto a stud or too close to it. Mark an area on the wall that is free of any studs. Additionally, be mindful of any pipes that may be running through the wall; avoid these areas as well. If you are working with lathe and plaster walls, determining the location of studs can be challenging. In such cases, consider using a remodelling box, which can be installed without attaching it directly to a stud.
When marking the installation spot, consider the standard heights for receptacle outlet boxes. Professionals typically install them with the bottom edge approximately 12 inches from the floor. However, this height can vary slightly, usually ranging from 12 to 15 inches. Adjust your marked spot accordingly to maintain a uniform look with other electrical boxes in your home.
If you are using a plastic nail-in electrical box, it typically comes with measuring tabs along the sides. These tabs can be used to indicate how far the box should extend from the face of the studs. By gently pushing out the nails on the box by hand, you can guide how far the nails pierce the wood when placed against the stud. This technique helps hold the box in place as you drive in the mounting nails.
Finally, if you are working with an existing wall box and replacing it with a plastic receptacle box, you may need to remove the old box carefully. This step will provide space for the new plastic box, ensuring it sits flush against the wall. Remember to exercise caution and follow electrical safety guidelines throughout the installation process.
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Cut a hole in the wall, slightly bigger than the box
Before you begin installing your plastic receptacle box, it is important to turn off the power at your circuit breaker panel box. Use a voltage tester to ensure the power is off at the outlet to prevent any electrical injuries.
Now, you can begin cutting the hole in the wall. Start by using something sharp, such as the pointed tip of a drywall saw, to gouge out a small hole in the centre of the spot for your new receptacle. Once you've exposed the lath, expand the hole up and down until you find the edges of that piece of lath. The other laths are likely to be approximately the same size and spaced up to 1/4" apart. Adjust your planned spot so that at least one edge of the box lines up with a gap in the lath—it will be easier to cut through the plaster this way.
Expand the hole until it is slightly bigger than your plastic receptacle box. You can use a jigsaw to cut away the lath, but take it very slow and easy as the vibration from the saw can cause more damage to the wall.
If your walls are not too thick, you can use an "old work" electrical box to avoid having to screw into the plaster. These boxes have wings on the back that fold out and suck the box to the wall when screwed in.
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Push out the nails on the box, so they can be hammered into the wall
When installing a plastic receptacle box, it is important to first ensure that the power is turned off at the circuit breaker panel box. Use a voltage tester to confirm that the power is indeed off at the outlet, preventing any electrical injuries.
Next, you need to locate where you will install the new box. It is recommended to use a stud finder to avoid installing the box next to a stud or pipe. Mark the place with something sharp, like the pointed tip of a drywall saw, and then expand the hole until it is big enough for the box.
Now, push out the nails on the box by hand. This will ensure that when you place the box against the stud, the nails will lightly pierce the wood, helping to hold the box in place as you begin to hammer in the nails.
When nailing the box into place, use light, careful blows with the hammer rather than heavy swings. This is because plastic electrical boxes can be fragile, and you don't want to risk damaging the box.
Some electricians choose to leave the mounting nails slightly out, rather than driving them all the way into the stud. This makes it easier to remove the box if the layout needs to change before NM cable installation.
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Screw the outlet into the box, attach the faceplate, and turn the power back on
Now that you have installed the plastic receptacle box, it is time to screw the outlet into the box, attach the faceplate, and turn the power back on.
First, screw the outlet into the box securely so that it doesn't move. Make sure to leave at least 6 inches of conductor from where it enters the box for the receptacle. Use wire strippers to strip 5/8 inch of insulation off the end of each wire. Then, use new wire connectors to connect the wires from the new cable to the existing wiring, ensuring that white connects to white, black to black, and ground to ground.
Next, attach the faceplate. The faceplate should mount onto the screw holes above and below the screws that attach the outlet to the wall. If the wall is right behind these holes, you may need to loosen or remove the outlet and carefully gouge out some of the drywall behind the screw holes to make room for the faceplate screws. If the faceplate screws still contact the wall, you can use an awl to poke through the screw holes and make a small recess for the screw to sit in.
Finally, turn the power back on. Before doing so, use a voltage tester to ensure that the power is indeed off at the circuit breaker panel box. Once you are certain that the power is off, you can turn it back on, and your new outlet should be ready to use.
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Frequently asked questions
Before you begin, turn off the power at your circuit breaker panel box and use a voltage tester to ensure the power is off at the outlet.
You will need a voltage tester, a stud finder, a sharp tool like a drywall saw, a jigsaw, a drill, a screwdriver, wire strippers, and wire connectors.
First, use a sharp tool to make a small hole in the centre of the spot for the new receptacle. Then, expand the hole until it is big enough for the box. Use a jigsaw to cut away the lath.
If your plastic receptacle box has mounting nails, use light, careful blows with a hammer to attach the box to the wall. If your box has plastic wings, screw the box in place, turning the screws to turn the wings and force the box against the wall.
Connect the wiring to the outlet, screw the outlet into the box, and attach the faceplate. Turn the power back on and use a receptacle tester to ensure the receptacle is wired correctly.
