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How To Wire An Electrical Outlet

When wiring up an electrical outlet, you want to take special care that you are using proper wiring methods. If the outlet is on a 20 amp circuit, then you want to use an outlet rated for 20 amps. If its on a 15 amp circuit, you want to use an outlet rated for 15 amps. You also want to make sure that the outlets are tamper resistant. Tamper resistant outlets have plastic inserts in the outlets that prevent kids or someone accidently sticking something into the outlet that they shouldn’t be and getting shocked. It is a nice safety feature.

In order to plug something into the outlet you need to stick both prongs of the electrical cord into the outlet at the same time. When installing the wires onto the outlet you want to wrap the wires around the screws on the outlet. There are holes in the back of the outlet that allow for back stabbing wires into the outlet but this should never be done. Over time those wires get loose and damage the contacts on the receptacle. This will cause arcing if there is load plugged in and could become a fire hazard. When wiring up an outlet or any device for that matter, you want to install the ground wire first, then the neutral, and then the hot. Bare wire, then white, then black.