Replacing a Standard Wall Outlet

How to Wire a Wall Outlet – Example of Outlet Wiring when there are more than one cable from the electrical circuit. © By: Dave Rongey

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Wiring a Wall Outlet

Electrical Project: I am replacing a standard 15 amp duplex receptacle outlet. It has six wires attached, 3 black, 3 white.

Wire Wall Outlet with Multiple Wires

Wil’s Home Wiring Project:

• I am replacing a standard 15 amp duplex wall outlet, but it has six wires attached, 3 black, 3 white.
• Four wires use the little screws, and two are in the plug in sockets.
• Do I tie the extras together, or put a wire nut on each of them?

This request came from Wil in Midlothian, Virginia.

Dave’s Reply:

Thanks for your sharing your electrical wiring project Wil.

How to Wire a Wall Outlet

• Application: How to Wire a Wall Outlet.
  Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best performed by a Licensed
• Electrical Contractor, or Certified Electrician.
• Electrical Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, Voltage Tester, and appropriate Safety Gear.
• Estimated Time: Depends on the personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area.
• Electrical Safety: Identify the electrical power source to the Wall Outlet, turn it OFF and Tag with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
• Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials: Electrical parts and materials for the Wall Outlet should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
• Electrical Codes and Inspections: Installing or changing home electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes as adopted in your specific area of Virginia. A permit and inspections may also be required.

How to Wire a Outlet

This electrical wiring project is about How to Wire a Wall Outlet in the Hallway of a Home.

Wall Outlet Wiring Example

Wil, from the information you have provided:

• The existing wiring method is not the preferred method.
• Consider the following photo and wiring method as an example.

Example of Outlet Wiring when there are more than one cable from the electrical circuit

• An option that works well is to splice all of the wires together from each wire color group, and create a single lead wire from each group to be connected to the new outlet.
• This way the electrical load will be kept at the wire splice, and not pass through the outlet.
• This method will prevent burning out the outlet when a large electrical load is placed on the outlet circuit.

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