I recently took down a small half wall that had 2 outlets. I capped the wires to the one outlet and pushed it down into the crawlspace since we didn't need it. The other outlet was moved to the outer wall. This setup only had one black, one white and one copper wire. It seems to work fine, but I noticed that the other outlets in my house have 2 black and 2 white. Do I have a problem? Also, what about the outlet that I am not using? Is it okay that I just capped the wires with wire screws? Thanks, Karie
2007-01-31 04:00:24 · 9 answers · asked by Karie E 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The other outlets are strung together along a circuit. The one you have is at the end of a circuit.
2007-01-31 04:06:15 · answer #1 · answered by crossbones668 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say if it is an outlet that is not going to be used then get one of those flat cover plates and just close it off. If you want to make it flush with the drywall, you could use a wood chissel and just chip away at the drywall immediately around the outet so that this cover plate will sit below the surface of the drywall just a tad. Now when you close it off it will be even with the surrounding wall surface. Inside the outlet : 1. unscrew all wires connected to the outlet. If you have more than one wire of each color ( Black, white, Ground) you will want to splice together all the wires of the same color, wrap them with a wire nut and electrical tape. Tape them up pretty well, and then just put the close-off plate cover on the outlet box. Relocating A New Outlet: To move the outlet you will have to cut out the hole for the box, run a line from this outlet ( the wire nut connections) to that new outlet location. You'll install a junction box, attach the wires to the outlet, put the outlet in the box, and cover it up with a cover plate. The hardest part is cutting out for the outlet and snaking the line over. ...... maybe you can surface mount the wire through conduit ( behind the stove out of sight).
2016-05-23 22:56:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You did fine. The reason for 2 black and 2 white, all your outlets are wired in series, and the one you replaced is at the end of the run.
As soon as you can I suggest you split up the other outlets. Its not a good idea to have all your outlets on one breaker or fuse.
If there is no building inspector contractors will do what ever is the cheapest. It take more wire to do it right. Wire cost money.
Start in the kitchen, 5 circuits at least in the kitchen.
2007-02-03 16:55:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No problem with the wire and outlet. 2 examples, some older wiring only had one each and will work fine, 2-more wires are for more power-bigger appliances, safer use like to add an outlet receptacle with protection in it in case one of the appliances blew a fuse. Sorry, had to look up the word GFI outlet-protects wiring from a blown fuse.. As to the other wiring you capped and dropped, fine as long as the wires are covered and will not be prone to catch fire. Best of luck.
2007-01-31 04:10:28 · answer #4 · answered by dadknows 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Others already gave you your answer, but to be explicit: Electrical code says that the wire from removed outlet must terminate in a junction box, and the junction box must be accessable. Also code states that you must have an outlet every 12' and 6' from a door, so you might reevaluate if you really want to loose the outlet.
If you can get into the crawlspace, then mounting a box down there meets code.
2007-01-31 05:53:04 · answer #5 · answered by Bryan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The others covered the one set and two set of wiring already.
For the outlet you removed - you can't cap the wires and just tuck them into the wall. They must reside in a junction box, if you can't fish them out and remove them altogether.
A junction box can be the old outlet box with a plain cover. This cover must be accessible for inspection. The ground (bare) wire gets attached to the box with a green screw, the others remain capped as you described.
This is for safety, fire prevention and compliance with code.
2007-01-31 04:54:02 · answer #6 · answered by KirksWorld 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason other outlets in your house has 2 of each color wire is because other outlets somewhere close is connected to the same feed line by jumping from one outlet to anether rather than running a seperate feed line to each indivual outlet. the wires you capped and pushed into the craw space is proubably connected to another outlet somewhere close.
2007-01-31 04:16:52 · answer #7 · answered by ROY M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some of your receptacles have 2 black and 2 white wires because the circuit feeds that receptacle and carries through to other receptacles. You can not abandon live wires the way you did. You must terminate them in an approved junction box and cover it.
2007-01-31 08:55:52 · answer #8 · answered by lydemup4u 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the copper wire is for a ground you do need it for saftey you can bug off the other to it or run its own
2007-01-31 08:56:19 · answer #9 · answered by rooterdon2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋