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- Project Guide: Installing Remodeling Boxes
Installing Remodeling Boxes
Remodeling boxes, also called old-work boxes, are electrical boxes designed to
be installed after drywall has been hung. For example, you would install a
remodeling box if you need an additional outlet for a home office or theater.
In contrast to new-work boxes, which are screwed to the wall studs before
drywall is hung, old-work boxes hang on the drywall with clamps built in to
the box.
Installing a remodeling box is something you can
easily do with just a few tools. This project guide will walk you step-by-step
through the process of installing a plastic remodeling box in drywall for a
new outlet, including running wiring from an existing outlet to power the new
one.
Follow These Steps
Step One
| Turn off the Electricity |
| 1. | Turn off the power at the breaker panel to the outlet from which you will draw power. |
| 2. | Use a voltage tester to ensure power is off at the outlet. |
Step Two
| Mark for the Box |
| 1. | Hold the remodeling box up to the wall in the location where it will be installed. |
| 2. | Use a stud finder to ensure you don’t install a remodeling box adjacent to a stud. |
| 3. | Trace around the box with a pencil to mark the area to be cut. |
Step Three
| Cut the Drywall |
| 1. | Use a utility knife to score the drywall paper along the outline of the box. |
| 2. | Use the drywall knife to carefully cut out the hole. Go slowly to ensure you don’t cut any wires behind the wall. |
| 3. | Push the remodeling box into the hole for a test fit. It should fit snugly, but you shouldn’t have to force it. |
Step Four
| Loosen the Old Outlet |
| 1. | Using a voltage tester, ensure the power is off at the electrical outlet from which you will draw power. |
| 2. | Unscrew the faceplate from the old outlet. |
| 3. | Pull the outlet away from the box. |
Step Five
| Feed the Cable to the Old Box |
| 1. | Use a screwdriver to knock a hole in the back of the old outlet box, at one of the knockouts. |
| 2. | Feed the wiring through the hole in the box and out the other side of the wall. |
Step Six
| Connect the Wires in the Old Box |
| 1. | Use the wire strippers to strip 5/8 in. of insulation off each end of each wire. |
| 2. | Using new wire nuts, connect the wires from the cable to the existing wiring. Connect white to white, black to black, and ground to ground. |
Step Seven
| Mount the Remodeling Box |
| 1. | Pull the new cable through the hole in the wall where the new outlet will be located. |
| 2. | Strip about 10 in. of sheathing off the cable. |
| 3. | Insert the wires through the hole in the back of the remodeling box. |
| 4. | Insert the box into the hole. |
| 5. | Screw down the clamping tabs carefully until the box is tight against the wall. |
Step Eight
|
Wire the New Outlet
Attach the wires to the new outlet, connecting: |
|
|
Step Nine
| Install the New Outlet |
| 1. | Screw the new outlet into the box. |
| 2. | Attach the faceplate. |
| 3. | Turn the power back on and test the new outlet. |
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