How do i wire a double electric receptacle?

Question

The wall box will have two side by side oulets covered by one plate cover. I will be supplying from an outlet on the other side of the wall. Do i simply connect the incoming line to the top screws of the first receptacle and then branch off the from the bottom set of screws to the second receptacle. Or do I split the incoming line and join it to both outlets on the top screws.

Answer 1

pigtail off the main so each has the same pwr from the service...if not and one breaks or just doesn't work, the others have to be replaced also, this way only the bad ones have to change out and the good ones continue on working.

a pig tail is many wires necessary for your purpose off one white, same for black and tie all the grounds together.

Answer 2

I am not an electrician, so the advice I give may be wrong and you must take responsibility for your own work. If you don't understand, then get some help from a qualified electrician.

White wire goes to the silver color terminal on the receptacle. The black wire goes to the brass colored terminal. The same would be true for the outlet you tap into on the other side of the wall.

Just remember, White goes to white, black goes to black. If you keep this in mind, you should be okay. Be sure to turn off the power before doing any work.

If you don't understand these instructions, then get an electrician to do the work. You don't want to burn your house down. Be safe!

Answer 3

Either way will work fine. I usually just go to one outlet (either set of screws), and then run a short jumper set of wires to the other outlet (again, either set of screws).

Answer 4

It is acceptable to run the second outlet from the first. Be sure to use the correct size wire. 15 amp circuits use 14 awg and 20 amp ones 12 awg.