How do I put electrical outlet in closet?

Answer 1

It can be a relatively simple job.

Decide on where you want the outlet to be. Is there another electrical outlet nearby where you could connect to obtain power? Sometimes you can drop a line from a switch above to get power. You need to connect three wires from to the new outlet box. You will have to determine what way to route the wires, either through the attic, through the basement, or perhaps you will be lucky and the other outlet is within the same wall cavity as where you want to put the new outlet. Shut down the power, and pull the original outlet out. You may find spare terminals on the outlet to connect your black and white wires. Ground connects to the rear of the box with the other ground wire. If the terminals are already full you need to remove one, tie your new wire and a short piece of wire together with a wire nut. The short wire then goes to the empty screw terminal. In the new box, match up the wires, black to the live terminal, usually a darker color screw. White to the neutral terminal, usually brighter color, and the ground to the metal box, then to the green screw on the outlet. Put everything back together, turn on the power and check the outlet for proper operation. Get a plug in tester to ensure it is wired properly.

If there is a switch in the same wall cavity you can sometimes get all three lines inside the box. The problem is that often homes are wired with just a ground and live line to the switches, with the neutral line available only at the fixture. Wire purposes aren't quite as clear as the colors get reused.

Answer 2

Fist off, 115 volts can KILL you, but if you cannot afford an electrician or a friend with some electrical experience, you will need some tools, a Phillips and a flat head screwdriver, a coping saw, a fish tape some wire nuts a flashlight, and a cell phone 4 911, just kidding. a coping saw can be purchased from LOWEs or wal-mart it is for cutting a hole in the drywall, locate the nearest outlet to the closet, before cutting or anything, figure out the best path to run the wire, usually up through the wall and through the attic would be easiest, buy an outlet box (plastic is best) and an outlet, estimate how much wire you will need, from the present outlet to where you want the new one, you must put the new outlet on the side of a stud(the 2x4 in the wall) so you must locate a stud, stud finders are available, but taping the wall and listening for the most dense sound will work, use a nail or screw to find the edge of the stud, this is where your box will go, place the box where it will be installed and trace the outside of the box on the wall and very carefully cut out the hole, look for other wires and pipes in the wall you can do some serious damage or get very hurt if you cut one, now that your hole is theire use the flashlight to look up and see if you have a clear path to the attic, depending on the age of the home, ther may be a fire block there, if not, go up into the attic feed you fish tape down to the new hole, attach the wire to the fish-tape with some black tape and pull up into the attic, then use a lamp in the present outlet locate your breaker box and one at a time turn off a breaker till you locate and turn off that box, now remove the cover and then unscrew the out let, but be carefully there is still some juice from the white wire known as the common, run the fish-tape up to the attic pull down the wire as much as you need, attach it to the open side of your present outlet , after you have attached both ends of the wire to each out let test the new outlet with your lamp if alls well turn breaker off reattach outlets to their proper place place covers on and turn on the breaker. the link below should be read also before attempting this.

Answer 3

egads too much info needed than provided....do you have a basement? what floor is it on? size of closet? use for outlet? access to any other junction boxes where outlets feed split?
if you have basement find where nearest junction box is, if outlet is not going to be used often or for small amperages, simply tap into the junction box and run new 12-3 wire up inside wall(drill from basement) and add box for outlet. if more amps needed run newline to breaker panel and run wires to box

Answer 4

You might want to hire a electriction. He will know the codes in your area as well.

Answer 5

Easier to just put one of those battery operated, push on/off lights on the wall...

Answer 6

hire an electrical contractor