How to Install an Outlet

Setup

1). Turn the power off to the circuit with which you will be working. Use an electrical tester first to determine that the circuit is on, then make sure that you turn it off before continuing with this process. Use the electrical tester to make sure that the circuit is completely dead before you begin the installation.
2). Remove the faceplate and unscrew the old outlet from the wall. Use a razor knife to carefully strip the Romex wire's outer sheathing. You should begin the cut approximately 6 inches away from the wire ends. This is the best place to make your cuts because it keeps you away from the insulated wire.
3). Cut off the excess wire sheathing and filler paper using side-cutting pliers. Aim to create a clean cut completely around the wire if you can, and take care not to cut into the black and white wires or their insulated wire coatings.
4). Use wire-strippers to strip the appropriate length of insulation from the wires that you are working with. If you are stripping NM 12-2 wire, for example, use wire strippers with a #12 setting. Strip approximately 3/4 inches from the end of the wires.

1). Make the ground connection using the wire strippers and a screwdriver. The wire strippers will allow you to bend the wire in a half-moon shape prior to tightening the screw. Keep the wire's open end to the right so that it will turn tighter toward the threads of the screw when you tighten it.
2). Make the neutral connection using the white wire and the silver terminal. There are slots on the neutral connection that you will tighten with the use of screws on each side of the outlet. Some outlets will vary when it comes to the neutral connection, so you may screw this wire in the same as the ground connection.
3). Make the hot wire connection using the black wire and the brass terminal. The black wire should connect to the straight slot on the outlet, which is smaller than the others. Take care not to let bare copper wire become exposed here, as it can short the box out or cause damage to the other wires. You may need to wrap the end of the wire around the screw to keep it secure prior to tightening.

1). Bend the wires so that they will easily fold into a box opening, then test the outlet by pushing it into the opening of the box to make sure that enough space is available. The outlet has to be installable without the wires becoming pinched. You should install the outlet into the box with the ground connection at the top, using the two screws that are provided with the outlet.
2). Install the outlet cover plate using the included screws. Take care not to over-tighten the screw; this can crack the cover.
3). Turn the circuit back on and use an electrical tester to ensure that it is working properly. From the hot to the neutral connection and from the hot to the ground connection you should have a reading of approximately 120 volts in a successful installation.