Did I Install My Outlets WRONG? // DIY Workshop Build

[@gotbacon04]

Been doing electrical over 30 years. You can use the oscillating tool to trim the front of the box flush. I have had to do that when wall coverings changed. As for the receptacles I always tell people I put it then that way so the electricity will not fall out. 😂. Very nice shop. Keep up the great work.

[@Samcraftcom]

Brilliant!! I really appreciate you sharing this REAL Pro Tip!!

[@pgogel8974]

Buy a cheap oscillating tool from harbor freight and trim your boxes tight to wall.

[@JCsBoardShackTX]

Beat me to it. Trim it. Just fine

[@joethanks3745]

​@pgogel8974 I bought a cheap oscillating tool from harbor freight 7 years ago I use it all the time I'm glad I saved about $100.00

[@MattMadeIt123]

Former electrician here. In residential construction, an upside-down outlet indicates a half-hot outlet. Meaning 1 side is constant hot, 1 is switched. Another time to install the outlet upside-down is if the plate covers are metal. Usually in commercial/industrial work. The idea being if the cover comes loose and falls off with something plugged in, the metal cover will fall onto the ground post and not across the hot and neutral. But hey, it's your shop. Do your thing. BTW-The panel looks fantastic. Better than many "pro" jobs I've seen. If you did need more circuits you could always get thin mount breakers or quads for the 240V locations.

[@gary-gilbert]

Use one of those fancy lasers and cut out a decorative trim piece to put behind those outlet plates

[@karencary3312]

I thought the same thing. Be sure to show us, Sam.

[@edhibbard2348]

Or try goof plates

[@feelingtardy]

@@edhibbard2348 lol, i would've caulked it

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

That’s a great idea

[@kelleysimonds5945]

I was just about to make the same suggestion.

[@ronwhited1224]

As a guy who was shocked pretty badly many years ago, I am terrified of electrical work. I always appreciate DIY'ers who can tackle these jobs. Great work Sam.

[@davidhelfrich7150]

Place a nicely finished frame of paint stick stirrers to fill that gap.

[@kylehobie16]

Some folks, myself included, would pig tail from the romex run to the receptacle rather than running the outlet in-line in the circuit. Obviously, what you've done is sufficient and should work just fine.

[@mitchellbagby92]

Add a fome the plat

[@FowlerFamilyFarm]

Great work Sam. I did my own electric as well and the only thing I did different is in the first receptacle you wired up in the video I would have done blacks together and whites together and then pigtailed to one screw. Only reason is if a receptacle fails it will not allow power to the rest of the circuit down from the failure this way you no wheee your failed outlet is. I think I explained that right. But I’m like you not a pro at all

[@rickklemenz6419]

The ground on high on the high side of the receptacle when you put the receptacle in is actually the correct way for the receptacle to sit also on a stab in on the back if you have a 12 amp wire, and you want to try to stab in the back on a 15 amp plug. It is not allowed and most almost every inspector will tell you to change it but you can use it a regularreceptacle if you put your wires around the screw terminals

[@richardzicarelli3193]

Can you use your CNC router one day to make some 1/4” thick frames to go around the electrical boxes and behind the outlet covers?

[@tiggercares]

Hey Sam if you have any paneling scraps left over you could make little frames around them which would bring them out more.

[@chrisdarrow1738]

Beautiful wiring job on that panel. Made this grown man almost shed a tear...

[@dawn5227]

Cut out a little border trim piece so to build out the wall to the socket level. It will solve the asthetic problem

[@75keg75]

2:25 print some 3d printed shims that are the same as the covers. If you use petg you could vapor smooth to get a smooth texture as the faceplate. You could potential colour code them to 20amp and 15amp etc.

[@barryedwards1336]

Hi sam Barry from the UK here, I know the UK regulation standard's and wiring are different from the US, bur for your problem where you used paneling, can you make your own packing plate in wood or plastic, to go behind your covers, using your different cover plates as a template to keep the size the same, also here in the UK the power outlets are very different, nearley always they have switch's on them so you can disconnect the power to any appliance by simply turning the switch to off as the cover and switch are all one unit, we can get them without switches also, plus our switches you put them down for on and up for off, this includes light switches as well, our 13amp plugs are well known for being probably the safest plug in the world, look them up to see their features.

[@ronniemichael8832]

Put a wood spacer about 1/2" around each outlet bevel the edges so they taper in and it will have a real nice look , and that's my suggestion. I enjoy your videos keep up the good work,

[@rickklemenz6419]

Also, that panel is one of the most professional looking panels I have seen that is how I used to wire my panels, including the little jackets, telling what the wire is coming from very very good job

[@everyoneknowsjeff]

I've been told that installing the outlets, the orientation you did (upside down), has a additional benifit that I would not have thought of. The reasoning I was given, from a local electrician, was that it is safer due to the ground being up if something was to drop into or touch while pluging in or out and it not hitting a hot wire. Take that with a grain of salf and to each his own. But it does make some sense. I am enjoying seeing your build out and have learned a few good tricks. THANKS

[@retiredlife848]

you could use a Dremel tool with a cutting disc and cut the boxes flush.

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

Nope! Bad idea! he would cut the holes down that hold the receptacle screws, this would cause the screws to bottom out before the receptacle was tight against the box.🤯🛫 😊

[@retiredlife848]

I've done it myself, No problem with shorter screws. They can be cut also if you don't have shorter ones@@TheFalconJetDriver

[@PaulGriffith]

Make a wood bezel to go around the outlet box, about a 1/4 inch past the outlet cover. I like ground down when used for extension cords because of how i grip the plug, thumb on the flat and the index finger around the ground side.

[@yellowhammerwoodcrafts]

Take some walnut and cut it in small 1/4” strips and build a frame around your boxes and then put your outlet cover plates on. It will fix the issue and look cool.

[@bobbennett7195]

You have come a long way , Good for you. Just about done just have some details to finish it up. Have fun.

[@aussiegolddogcnc3d412]

Coming alive now. Getting closer. You’re doing great. Cheers. 😊

[@edwinvalle4444]

Home Depot has some outlets covers which have a fat lip for this purpose when the outlet sticks out

[@75keg75]

15:05 just make a box to put around like a hidden cable tray.

[@rayoliver7120]

Theoretically it don't matter, what matters is you got the wires in the proper location on receptacles..... I'm 3rd generation electrician, started out as a summer helper with the union , although I choose a different Ave cause u grew up , my first receptacle I changed out HOT was 8 yrs old with my dad's supervision watching over me , so I'd say your ok... there is a difference in commercial and residential... I've done both a lot in ghe Houston area , being a licensed electrician has its perks ..... your doing good 👍

[@oldguy70]

Code 406.6 states that the cover must seat against the mounting surface. So , as many have suggested, make a trim piece to fill the gap. The code does not specify which way to mount the outlet - ground up or ground down are both legal. A great video as usual.

[@donbarr9487]

Nice video! As many have mentioned, you could make outlet cover spacer-plates out of wood using your LASER cutter. If you do so consider also engraving the panel/circuit breaker number that serves the outlet on the spacer. This is very handy for troubleshooting, expanding your lab, or locking out equipment.

[@verdajanefrench6692]

You could get weather stripping foam & put it around the plug boxs,behind the covers. It will help keep the cold air coming in around the boxs.

[@oldmanintheshopbuiltnotbou8726]

sam take your buzz saw and cut the nails on the stud side of your outlet boxes reset them and drywall screw the box back in or you could cut you out some medallion type things to square up the outlets i wired houses for 35 years in eastern nc and all our outlets went in ground up

[@jhinnant58]

Code doesn't specify, but I've seen where OSHA has made companies change them to ground down for two reasons: 1. It's easier to accidentally break the ground connector off if it's up. 2. Most AC -DC adapters with ground need it ground down. We always spec ground down on building plans.

[@XPFTP]

use a piece of lam an make backing plates for the outlets. paint them up almost be gone. look better then the outlets just hangin

[@wardgross2031]

I thought it was kinda wonky until I got it. Klein Tools Rapi-Driv Screwdriver 67100. If you are doing electrical this this is sooooo handy. I love seeing the progress. Keep it up!

[@quarlow1215]

I did the same thing on the last build I did. So i cut out some 1/4" plywood plates to fit over the box then held them on with the cover plates. Later before painting wd caulked around those which held the in place and once painted you could barely see them. I cut mine by hand with a jigsaw but if you have a laser that will cut it its easy peasy.

[@photosbywalt7124]

Design and 3D print new covers or design a back transition plate for the current covers.

[@beanieweenie9543]

Sam trim the fronts of the boxes off with multi/oscillating tool. Had to do it once when I miss judged the thickness of tile backer and tile. Worked like a charm.

[@Trailblazer_nation]

I always put tape covering the wire conections

[@blazegbs]

Nothing in the NEC book states Ground Up or Down for duplexes. Just be consistent. I was trained to put the ground down in case the ground wire comes loose.

[@magnusltd]

Nice job Sam. Looks better than many 'professional' jobs I've seen. Excellent!

[@BinaryDisastr]

As for right side up or to some, upside down, orienting receptacles with the ground up is the best way to install them. Why you ask? Because if a tool, paper clip etc is ever dropped and a plug isn’t quite in it’ll hit the ground and typically just keep falling. If it was the other way around it could fall and stay there shorting across the hot and common wire. Either way it could trip the breaker but you’re less likely try grabbing whatever it is before the breaker trips. This is how it was explained to me on a commercial job by an electrician.

[@wadetyler5056]

Actually, you could get the outlet insulators to put behind those plates, that would take up that space and help prevent drafts.

[@brendahogue5487]

Love your videos and enjoy watching them. May the lord bless and protect you and your family

[@Realstuffadventures]

You are amazing Sam, we have been watching your channel for quite a while and you have done a great job tackling everything. This workshop build has been amazing to watch, especially how you have learned so much to be able to Get'r Done working mostly by yourself.

[@Tripring2000]

Sam, my only critique is the fact you did not make pigtails up in the middle circuits for the receptacles. You should never depend on a device to continue a circuit. Best practice is to make up a pigtail and have each individual receptacle connected that way, if for some reason the device gets damaged, you do not lose continuity throughout the rest of the circuit. As far as the grounding pin being up or down it is just an aesthetic decision .I was an electrician in a hospital and we were required to install the grounding pins downward. Keep up the great work and I know you’ll enjoy the new shop.

[@JimG31547]

Sam, Crank up the Shapeoko and Carve and cut you some outlet covers and pocket the back where they will lay flat.

[@kermitfrog8340]

Ground down is the only way that works with the 90 degree plugs found on many appliances so is recomended orientation by those manufacturers. Ground up is often used to indicate that an outlet or couple outlets are on a switch in residential situations. I worked six years in healthcare and government facilities going around testing every outlet with equipment and special computer program. If any were oriented ground up it would be an automatic fail and there would be delays because a qualified electrician would have to come back in and make all repairs or changes needed then they would have to rearange for plugs to be tested a second time.

[@almachapman5409]

Good job Sam you explain it 👍good

[@troybrodrick7208]

use the foam insulation for outlets .just cut it out to just cover the gap

[@MICHAEL-lb1si]

I CAN'T JUSTIFY ANY REASON TO INSTAL OUTLETS UPSIDE DOWN. I THINK THEY LOOK OUT OF PLACE THAT WAY. BUT I LOVE THE IDEA TO TRIM THE BOX BACK . NICE JOB IN THE PANEL , AND GOOD IDEA HAVING LABLES UNDER COVER. THANKS.

[@tamistone7344]

Great job Sam installing the outlets and box!!!😊

[@davidwilken3584]

My question would be that as you put up your wallboard and noticed this issue, why didn’t you just reset the boxes? What you can do is make some wood extensions to cover this error. Looking good so far. 😊

[@fillg]

If only he knew someone with a workshop full of tools who could create such a spacer or extension 😛 If anyone can do it Sam can.

[@user-hi2oi1yh6q]

They also sell trim rings for the boxes so the plates fit properly

[@AlexSwavely]

@2:00 you can find deep bezel wall plates at the big box hardware stores (for about the same price as standard) and/or bezel spacers to hide this gap.

[@leviteapparel]

That was an amazing video. You outdid yourself again, and your skill perceived you💯🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Samcraftcom]

I appreciate that!

[@gregwheeland6978]

I think I saw a bonding screw in your panel. Did you leave the neutral and ground bonded? Just curious why if so?

[@donutman3089]

@12:18 You better cover that. Your OCD is showing! Great job sir. Like one of the other comments, your box looks better than a lot of the "pros" I've seen wired up.

[@deannaoverstreet4146]

Thanks Sam! Getting close to move in! So excited for you and Angela!

[@danielheartsill4269]

In our area I understand it is code to put the sockets in like you did, so you did good. Also get some 1/4 inch wood and make a frame around the box to have no space behind the plate. All problems solved.

[@laserengravingwithmatt]

That is looking mighty nice. Can’t wait to see your layout.

[@samfeldman1508]

If I’m laying tile I’ll set the boxes exactly as you have them. Maybe tile?

[@emilasmith4279]

As a former IT person I’m loving the very neat and labeled wiring in that box. I remember you doing the same when working on wiring in the house. 🙌 Question is: are you as ocd as me that alllllllll the groves in the screws on the outlet covers have to perfectly horizontal??!!!! 😳😳😳🤓

[@Samcraftcom]

I'm former IT too! Anytime I wire a panel like this I have flashbacks of patch panels, punchdowns, and the good ole Fluke meter chasing stranded pairs. :D I want to be OCD over the screw heads, but they always seem to fight me.

[@pathann4195]

Just use your lasers to make washer-style spacers to go under the plate get around the box to make A flush fit will just make for a unique look

[@Damon_Barber]

Installing outlets with the ground up is better for the cord. Gravity is constantly pulling the cord toward the floor. If it sags with ground on the bottom, you have potential for the hot or neutral to arc as they pull out of the plug. With ground up, the ground has the highest chance of backing out of the plug. With zero current flowing through the ground, this is the safer option. If you ever wanted to, you could add a decorative trim around your shop at outlet height to fill those gaps. In the meantime, that gap is aesthetic.

[@Damon_Barber]

To straighten the outlet, you can also stick a trim screwdriver in the ground hole near the middle of the outlet and use the screwdriver as a lever to move the outlet back and forth until straight.

[@Messymy]

Have plugs that side load and that is not so good for cords. Contractors who wired addition a few years back did outlets your way and I don't like them. Have also heard some do those upside downs if the outlet is switch controlled.

[@Damon_Barber]

@@Messymy what do you mean by side load? Electricity doesn’t care which end is up. As long as connections are tight to keep arcing from occurring, it’s really just a matter of preference. The exception being outlets mounted sideways on a backsplash where water has potential to rise…. Then you gotta think, do I not want water to hit the hot so mount hot side up? Or do I want it to short out as soon as possible and kill the power instead of letting the water rise higher before it trips the breaker and mount it hot side down? But even that scenario is a stretch as most cases you’re not going to have liquid that high unless the house floods… in which case main power is likely (hopefully) already tripped/lost.

[@Damon_Barber]

@@Messymy if by side load you mean the outlets are sideways, then I agree. I don’t care for these as it exerts forces on the prongs in a sideways direction and over time could bend them.

[@jimmcallister8487]

I think probably what triggers me, and most people is we’re just not used to them being upside down there is no right or wrong answer but as far as people doing research if you go to the manufacturers website which it doesn’t really matter what brand just google Leviton for example, you don’t even have to go to their site just Google them and click on images you will see 99% of their images are the opposite way from Sam’s devices most have writing on them they’re even packaged the opposite direction but at the end of the day there’s no right or wrong whatever you like.

[@gigidygigidy6078]

You can also use that 240 for a welder now that you have some farm equipment that might need some repair. Or doing any fabrication.

[@joshruby]

Use the oscillating saw to trim boxes back 1/4 inch flush with wall I’ve did it before

[@user-hi2oi1yh6q]

Sam, did install an 1to 1 isolation harmonic transformer on your computer equipment so you can operate things at the same time.

[@Old_Man_Pete]

Very professional looking job Sam 👍, as for the outlets you could always CNC or Laser cut some fancy frames and put your Logo on them, making it truly a custom build.

[@valerik.4129]

@Samcraftcom, why not 3d print the part part that fills the gap in same colour as the cover

[@BoroBootBoy]

Is that paper sleeving over the wires?, never seen that over here in the UK..... hmmmm that would make it easier to strip.

[@MJMCHRONICLES]

Make some Samcraft 1/4” back plates for your wall receptacles, it will look cool

[@tracyash4246]

Hey Sam!! With your laser engraver i am sure you could make some decorative plates to fill in the gap behind your electric outlet covers.

[@tim-hypnotherapist]

Just put a small border around it. About 1 inch surround 1/8 or 1/4 inch thick, either glued down or the plate holds it on.

[@mikepetitt9624]

Sweet! Its amazing how fast you are getting this done! It looks sooo good!

[@Samcraftcom]

Thank you!! 😊

[@lorenrickey5481]

Easy to fix. Happens more than you know. Use an oscillating tool and cut the boxes flush with the wallboard. You will still be able to mount your receptacles normally.

[@Samcraftcom]

Cool, thanks!!

[@user-hi2oi1yh6q]

You can buy stacked breaker or piggy back breakers. It allows 2 ckts on the same breaker slot in the panel, if u ran out of space in panel

[@jrmediate]

Uh, wouldn't trimming the boxes cut off the threads for mounting the receptacle?

[@angels12a]

Maybe you make a spacer to set behind the wall plate?

[@RoadRunner2025-x2v]

I am an industrial electrician according to the NEC you did it right it's the not so smart people that do not know the reason for putting the ground up.

[@ram_1776]

I know what I would, and you have the equipment to fix it. I like ground up also.

[@lorenmeyer5290]

Very nice job Sam!

[@robertspear9134]

You've got a plan for heat, but what about A/C?

[@N5XHIworkshop]

A laser and some 1/4 plywood would work well to make a filler plate. A rectangle plate with laser engraved information on what tool is plugged into that fixture could be a fun add-on. You could patent it as "single gang new work box trim art."...😂lol

[@suzylarry1]

you said this is a sub panel , I saw a green ground screw that connects the panel with neutrals' , that screw should be removed ( If I recall ) so ground and neutral are separate on sub panels . correct if I am wrong do to different power source ( solor)

[@surferdude642]

In this case the green ground screw is necessary. The bus on the left side is being used as the ground bus along with the ground bus furthest to the left which is mounted directly to the panel housing. The green grounding screw connects them. The neutral bar is on the right side and is separated and isolated (by virtue of the plastic) from the housing and therefore the ground bus as well.

[@kevinbuckmaster507]

Build a quarter inch wood trim piece around each one.

[@cantgetright742]

I like the comment that says make you a decorative surround for your cover plates. Might as well display some of your work in the workshop and it solves a “problem”. My receptacles are sideways

[@packy0462]

Looks good what was the wire stripper you used

[@onsapplikasies8620]

Nice one Sam.

[@carolmirci1233]

Sam take you laser and cut out like picture frames to go behind the outlets either make them flush with the edge of the plate or make them go out a quarter inch or so and paint them a different color to highlight them. Cool think outside of the box . How about different shapes triangles circles diamonds possibilities are endless

[@robinderick947]

Put trim around them. Use what you put on the walls 😊

[@unclerichard6729]

The last house I lived in had one outlet that stuck out from the wall like that and it bugged me. I ended up 3d printing a spacer for behind the face plate that tapered down to the wall. I printed it in white but ended up painting it the same color as the wall. It made the problem much less noticeable.

[@randallwainwright190]

That's the way to protect it

[@Chucka1463]

Why do use old style plugs and sockets instead of Decora?

[@heffe2001]

Just a FYI if you're not aware, they DO make deeper plates for just this exact issue with the electrical.

[@jerryhubbard4461]

Is there a reason why you wired the box outside the wall instead of hiding all of in in the wall?

[@sirwallygator565]

Make decretive 1/4 inch thick wood things that go around your boxes. like frame them in like a picture... urn your outlets so the ground face down.. Yes I know many have their own opinions on this. Electrical code does not states orientation but take it from experience all items made in North America are made to fit the outlets with the ground down...Ground up is the old way they did things that is why many factories and ld houses had the ground up but their is a lot of engineers talk about the benefits of having the ground down

[@deanbrunner261]

Will a utility knife be able to whittle the edge of the boxes. Recip saw or the vibrating trim saw trim enough to fit the covers

[@watahyahknow]

you can put spacers behind the top plates . maibe 3d print those just make them so there a little smaller behind the top plate with a small plate sized resess and a little wider ate the wall side ciontinuin the curved edge on the original top plate , they still stick out but at least they sit tight against the wall as for wiring up the subpanel : i usually make a small loop usually arounf the handle of the screwdriver ) in the wire beore makeing the bend intoo the fuse , this leaves you a little extra length in wire should you need to move things around as for the heater thermastads , these work with a small bimetal switch and are not realy acurate , they allso tent to melt and keep the heater running , it be better to use a realay between the high amp side (heater) and a digital type thermostad , they have real fancy ones that are on a timer and can be hooked up to wifi and bluetooth so they switch the heat to low when youre not in there , can make it so the heaters turn on one after the other so the peak current stays low

[@Garowen]

Can you put a 1/4 inch trim around your boxes? it will look like a design choice instead of a mistake.

[@jraiello]

Easy fix, 3 d print cover backing spacers same color or whatever desired…

[@loissaedder2214]

Your power points are nothing like ours in Australia. We have on/off switches on ours . Also your light switches are opposite to ours. Ours are up for off, down for on.