Install a Quad Electrical Outlet
A quad electrical outlet has four receptacles for your electrical appliances. They can be cosmetically more appealing than plugging in a power strip to a dual electrical outlet when you need more electrical receptacles. You can install a new quad electrical outlet near an existing outlet, making your task of running the 12-2 cable easier, or you can replace an existing outlet with a quad outlet, in which case you wouldn't have to run any new cable. Either way, installing a quad electrical outlet will supply you with additional receptacles.
Instructions
1. Turn off the circuit breaker to the electrical outlet from which you're going to run your 12-2 cable to your new quad outlet. Safety is always a primary concern when working with household electricity.
2. Measure the size of your outlet box and mark the dimensions with a pencil on the wall in which you intend to install your quad electrical outlet. If you're replacing an existing outlet, the dimensions will be slightly larger than the existing hole. If you're installing your outlet in a new location, locate the box adjacent to a stud to provide additional strength to your outlet.
3. Drill a hole just inside the pencil line for a new location. If you're replacing an outlet, remove the old outlet. Use a keyhole saw to cut out the dimensions of the new outlet box by cutting along your pencil line.
4. Feed a 12-2 cable from a nearby outlet if you're installing at a new location. Place the outlet box in the hole you just cut while at the same time feeding the cable into the box via a knock-out hole in the box.
5. Strip enough insulation from the 12-2 wires to wrap around the wire terminals. Wrap the white wire clockwise around the silver-colored screw. Wrap the black wire clockwise around the brass-colored screw. Wrap the green wire around the green screw. Tighten the green screw.
6. Attach short black and white wires from the first terminal screws to the second screws. Because it's a quad outlet, there will be an additional bronze-colored and silver-colored screws. Run a white wire to the other silver-colored screw and a black wire to the other bronze-colored screw. Tighten the screws.
7. Use mounting screws to tighten the outlet box to the wall. Add the cover plate and tighten the cover plate screws. Turn on the circuit breaker.
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