PROJECT: INSTALL ELECTRICAL OUTLETOn your "to do list" is install electrical outlet, replace wall switch or hang new ceiling fan listed? In some states you can't even do those simple projects. Ask the person in the electrical department of a big box or local hardware store and click Electrical Permit.And, search "electrical permit your town" (ie. electrical permit detroit mi) using the Google Custom Search (right) and ask your local inspector what you can and cannot do. The concern is SAFETY. No electrocutions, no houses burned to the ground. In most states, you must be both the owner and live there to get an electrical permit and do even the simplest electrical work (ie: install electrical outlet) yourself. You may not perform any electrical installations or improvements if you intend to sell, lease or rent the property. If you do not own or intend to live there, a licensed electrical contractor must do the work and install. Electrical outlet replacement included. If you’re a landlord, you (or your handyman) may perform simple things, like install electrical outlets to replacing a garbage disposal or similar appliance—but not much more. Remember; electrical safety in the home is the first concern.As the occupant and homeowner, however, you are the ”General Contractor” and are therefore actually in control of all home repair and remodeling. If the job calls for a professional, get three estimates and ask all of them if they’ll let you do some of the work under their supervision. As long as the job is “to code” everyone should be happy. And you don’t need to be paying $120 an hour for someone to hang your new ceiling fan, light fixture, install electrical outlet or put your wall plates back on. So, make sure you have your basic electrical testing tools and know some of the basic electrical definitions and you won't sound like a newby when you talk to the people regarding your project. Basic: Install Electrical Outlet First, turn off the power (click off the breaker) to the specific thing you’ll be working on at the main service panel (left) and make sure everyone knows not to turn it back on until you are done. This should be "step 1" to every home electrical repair you do. The page glued to the door of the breaker box (called a “service panel” by the pros) lists the breaker number and corresponding outlets, area or appliance. Once you've rechecked to make sure the power is off, remove the screws on the wall plate or fixture base and “look inside” the box. Observe the mounting screws holding the actual switch or outlet in place. When you have removed those, gently pull the unit toward you (see image below) and note how the wires are connected. Now test the switch, outlet or light fixture before touching anything with your fingers, using your neon light voltage tester, to make absolutely sure the power is off. If you’ll be working with the wiring, you may want to know the electrical wire size you will be dealing with also.  A small piece of tape marking each wire and the corresponding screw or attachment is a good idea. When you install (electrical outlet terminals, light switches, etc.) anything, they will need to be reconnected exactly as you disconnected them.The image (right) shows a switch with screw-in terminals. Light switches and outlets have a couple of ways of securing the wires to the working unit. Some simply plug into small holes on the back, which can be released by pushing a small flat head screwdriver in the adjacent small rectangle hole and pulling the wire.  The line drawing (left) shows connection to a switch with its own wires attached by twisting wire nuts (those small colored plastic “caps”) on to both those and the wires coming out of the wall. These are usually dimmer switches. When you install electrical outlets or switches, regardless of how they're attached, make sure they're tight with no bare wire exposed. As long as the power is off, though, these things should be as safe as any other remodel project.Replace the new unit and, before you even put it back in its box and screw it down, check it by flipping the breaker ON. If everything’s okay, flip the breaker OFF, put it all back together, switch the power back on and admire your handywork! Keep focused on the job and conscious of the details. Check out the Amazon carousel below. Press arrows to advance, mouse over any image to see customer ratings and price, click image for details.
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