Choosing and installing electrical boxes. Selecting and installing conduit. Upgrading an existing electrical panel box to accommodate a new circuit.
You will need to get and install the receptacle (junction) box. For flush installation in a drywall wall, you may choose a cut in or repair type, for other installations, a surface mounted cast aluminum or PVC weather resistant (damp location) box may be applicable. You will need to determine the path for the wires between the receptacle box and the electrical panel box. You will need to install conduit if you use single insulated wires. Install the actual wires if you use a non-metallic cable (Romex).
If you have installed conduit and the run is very short, you may be able to just push the wire from the outlet box back through to the electric panel. For long runs, you may need to push a “fish tape” through the conduit so you can hook onto the wire and pull it through. If you don’t have conduit, you will have to “fish” the cable or remove wallboard and possibly drill 5/8 inch or larger holes through the wall studs to feed the wire through. Either way, you have to get the wire run between the electric panel and the outlet box in a way that it is not exposed and the insulating “jacket” is not damaged.
If you have installed conduit and the run is very short, you may be able to just push the wire from the outlet box back through to the electric panel. For long runs, you may need to push a “fish tape” through the conduit so you can hook onto the wire and pull it through. If you don’t have conduit, you will have to “fish” the cable or remove wallboard and possibly drill 5/8 inch or larger holes through the wall studs to feed the wire through. Either way, you have to get the wire run between the electric panel and the outlet box in a way that it is not exposed and the insulating “jacket” is not damaged.
If you can’t strip the jacket, use the “14 gauge” jaws. Using the 12 gauge jaws of the tool significantly decreases the chance of nicking the wire. When using the 14 gauge jaws, hold the tool at a right angle to the wire, otherwise you will damage the wire. Also strip the end of the ground wire if it is insulated. If you cut too deep, don’t worry. . . Cut the end off and try again. You have 3 or 4 tries before the wires will start to get too short to work with. It is very important to NOT nick the wire.
NOTE: You can use either the wiring screws or the quick connects. However, the screws are the preferred method as they provide a better contact between the wires and the outlet. Also, if you fail to strip enough wire for the quick connect, the wire can work itself loose over time causing all the outlets downstream to fail.
