Electrical Help : How to Install a Power Receptacle Outside

Installing a power receptacle outside requires an outdoor, weather-proof box for storage. Install a power receptacle outside with help from one of the one of the owners of CJS Electric in Tampa Florida in this free video clip.
Expert: Nick Marra
Bio: Nick Marra serves as one of the owners of CJS Electric in Tampa Florida.
Filmmaker: Christopher Rokosz
Series Description: Working with electrical equipment, be it on the inside or outside of your home, is something that requires great care and caution. Get electrical help with help from one of the one of the owners of CJS Electric in Tampa Florida in this free video series.

[@amorales9613]

People, please leave constructive criticism. Your negative comments don’t help anyone. Grow up, at least he is trying to help.

[@kennethw.presley8332]

an Old Electrician of 35 yrs in 1975 told me. when installing and outlet or wall switch Remember"Black on Brass will save your a**"

[@anitaduncan8190]

I always see on DIY videos people running a knife blade down the length of the wire covering risking nicking the insulation on the wires. The safest way to remove the cover is to only cut about an inch of it and then pull on the ground wire to the desired length which will easily split open the cover

[@rhoonah5849]

I agree completely. As an EMT, I was cringing as I watched him drag that knife toward his hand.

[@medina6780]

Dang man 11 years old and still the best video about doing this out there

[@nickyjames1430]

Thanks Nick. Many people don't know a GFCI has two sets of screws and incoming power always goes to the line screws (hot and neutral). The load screws are only for feeding & protecting extra outlets downstream from the GFCI. If you connect power to the load screws, there is no shock protection from the GFCI.

[@edbouhl3100]

That’s evidence that some owners will tamper with wiring without reading the directions. Gives diy a bad name.

[@atug333]

Because I had you explain it slowly, I was able to understand even English me whom I was hard for to deal with. Thank you. Surely you will be a splendid skill person.

[@dianagiordano1278]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your expertise and skills in correctly installing an outside GFCI. Really appreciate it,

[@CAkinCAkin]

Thank you. I needed a quick refresher on this. Now I can go to the project with minimal fumbling around.

[@Seemsayin]

Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to help those in need of your experience. I'm not a video producer, nor a master electrician. I haven't made a single video. I'm, most likely, not as smart as you. I just started watching the video, and the first thing I see, after the introduction, is you standing at an unused box, with a blank plate. Now... if I needed instruction on how to do this, chances are... I'm not qualified to do this without your help. And, my first question is gonna be: "Why are you at this box, inside the home, when you're supposed to be showing us how to install an outside receptacle?" Those who need this instruction probably don't know what you're doing. Otherwise, they wouldn't be looking for help. If I didn't know why you were there, I would ask... Why are you standing at THAT box, & testing it for power? Why are you drilling a hole? What's on the opposite side of that hole? Is there anything in the wall that might make drilling through it a bad idea? I don't mean to appear pretentious, snotty, or pretend to be a "know it all". I'm none of those. But if I was standing next to you, trying to understand why you're doing what you're doing... I'd have questions. Rightfully so. And to this point, you haven't mentioned a thing. There are probably some viewers that wondered what they'd do, if that box hadn't conveniently been there. They might even be wondering why that unused box was there, in the first place. My head would be spinning with questions. My entire premise is: Theory, DURING the process of demonstration. The lack of it creates confusion. I haven't seen the entire video, so I don't even know if any of my questions were answered. So... I apologize if I've offended anyone. This gentleman was nice enough to make this video possible, by sharing his experiences. I was not knocking his work ethic, knowledge, nor experience. Just explaining how theory, during the demonstration, could eliminate possible confusion in the future. I just happen to be one of those types of people that look for the "Who, What, When, Where, & Why" of whatever I want to know about.

[@tameralaskaris6909]

Really good video! I can see this method makes it possible to do all the exterior box wiring prior to mounting the box to the exterior wall making for a quick installation during the winter.

[@Hydra509]

Really appreciate your guide! Just finished installing mine. Followed your instructions step by step.

[@landonlandon5533]

This is exactly what I was looking for. This looks like it will work for new construction with vinyl rectangle boxes as well.

[@VernCox]

Thanks!! I watched about six of these until I got to this one. Excellent quality video and sound . More importantly very well explained. Good job!!

[@LADIBUGEE54]

Just Stumbling on this! Thank You, Thank,Thank You! Made this so easy!

[@markspott1741]

Simple, plain, no tricks...very useful! Thanks, bro!!!

[@randallsemrau7845]

I mounted my box like you demonstrated, and my kid knocked it right off the wall when he ran past it with a snow ski in his hands. The screws tore right out, with some of the siding. When I reinstalled it, put in larger diameter screws, and long enough to penetrate the sheathing. As another viewer recommended, I also shimmed the lower half, where the box sits further out from the siding. Then I had my kid purposefully run into the box again. There, fixed it for you.

[@MrChewy63]

Great job! I actually learned a lot by watching this video. Thanks

[@RaulGuadarrama]

Thanks for the video. I just came to see how to mount the box on an inside wall since it has no holes (did notice the metal tabs with 2 holes and had no idea). Now I know. Thanks again.

[@how2q]

strip guide on back of GFCI...Wow, never noticed. Thank you for video!

[@amylapka6153]

Thank you! Super helpful and clear informative presentation

[@randytow]

Nick Excellent video clear, concise and complete nothing left out!

[@aaronsoto4622]

Thank you for this video. So well put together.

[@louqu1164]

Thanks for the video. Content flow well, very easy to understand with level of technical details not many people cover.

[@Joricano]

thanks..the perfect instructional video for my little project

[@quentonball1061]

Well done, Nick! Thanks

[@isaiastapiabermudez]

Thank you for your tutorial sir. Very well explained.

[@lifeunderglass]

Clear instructions and demonstration....Great video all around!

[@sampsonpaintsil9839]

Thanks CJ,I just bought one to install outside,same thing,great information and instructions.

[@CarTechGuy]

This is a great video! Thanks for the detail. This may be a simple task, but this video is helps you get it right the first time.

[@sharkpedal]

thanks - used your video to assist with my surface mounted outdoor weather-proof GFCI

[@jcnme]

Absolutely Excellent Video Sir ! Thank you for your video

[@christopherzimmer]

Truly phenomenal! I sincerely appreciated explaining little details like not needing the locknut if the opening is already threaded. Or using needlenose pliers to remove the protective tabs. Thank you so much!

[@johnchacha7219]

I really watching all of the videos and they are going to improve my carreer

[@arnispape2073]

Thank you! This was very helpful.

[@psykoaude]

Thank you very much, that's what I needed to know!

[@asterixky]

Thank you. Gave me a good idea where and how to start. The rest can be easily figured out.

[@joehowe3942]

Great video! Doing this today and appreciate the boost of confidence this video gives me. Thank you.

[@joehowe3942]

After watching this video, I installed an outdoor outlet with ease! I couldn't believe how easy it was. I bought an outdoor outlet KIT from Home Depot that had everything except the wire clamp, so pick that up while you're there. Thanks again for the great video!

[@coypatton3160]

First let me say that I have not watched this video. There is s very good reason! This video was produced in 2012! NEC has been revised twice since then. My reason for commenting is that there are lots of comments that are less than 1 year old. The most recent NEC major revision was in 2017. Any work since those revisions requires a WR (weather resistant) receptacle in any outdoor environment! Also new work should include TR (tamper resistant) receptacles. Since neither were required in 2012, you have most likely (see initial sentence) gotten out of date information from this video.

[@brittanylevinson741]

Coy Patton He uses a weather resistant and child resistant outlet... :x

[@stevelopez372]

And I’m sure what may not have changed is that a electrical permit is required by the local Authority Having Jurisdiction(AHJ).

[@henrypratt3742]

On an uneven surface like the siding on this house he should have installed screws at all 4 corners of the box along with a spacer at bottom.

[@hubster4477]

Absolutely!

[@administration4852]

definitely.

[@seattlejayde]

This was excellent, thank you.

[@markoliver717]

I would recommend making sure your wire exits in the center of a shingle then you are guaranteed a flat surface which helps ensure the box is more secure. Also use sheet metal or some type of weather resistant screws.

[@henrypratt3742]

Sheet metal screws into wood siding?

[@markoliver717]

@@henrypratt3742 Didn't mean to offend you, what i said concerning the screws was sheet metal or some type of weather resistant screws. And for those who think I'm unqualified. I am a 43 year electrical veteran in business for 33 years, teaching at a tech school for 10

[@rhoonah5849]

I agree. I don't like how that box wasn't fully secured to the house.

[@MeltingRubberZ28]

Great video. Helped me out a ton! Thank you!

[@gailanderson2547]

Great electrical outlet video.. calm voice!! Thanks

[@ninawade3055]

Thank you good video I’m installing one just like yours Thanks for showing me how

[@chefbambu9382]

Nice video, easy to understand but I did increase the speed of the video and didn't miss anything by this. Thanks.

[@Huntfish04]

This video was a huge help while installing one of these

[@yashmaval]

I wish all youtube videos were done by professionals like you rather than 15 y.o. kids. It was indeed useful.

[@strumpeteer]

Clear and concise.People should model their how-to vids after this video.

[@adal8653]

I just did it with my kid, So gloss to see this video, thanks 😊

[@snedboy6370]

Very helpful video, thanks.

[@Zakarman43]

Thanks nick. I bought the exact box today

[@Ahab1086]

Video very nicely done, exactly what I wanted to see.

[@daleasmithovc]

Really nicely shown and explained - good pace!

[@vinnyfertil2297]

Hi Nick this was really a great video. Very informative.

[@rubyramparsad4871]

Thank you Sir, great video.

[@chaseca003]

thank you for all your help excellent video!

[@igorsoares1548]

Great job!!! Congratulations!

[@GeoffKrieger]

Thank you for the video!

[@campbejouc]

good, thorough/careful overview

[@SepasQueNoSe]

Excellent video and presentation!!!!

[@gonzpedro3111]

good job. just what i needed!

[@garintiger]

Great video Nick. Very informative video! Thank you

[@longsnapper5381]

Thank you! Exactly what I needed.

[@2nomind]

Good stuff, now just need to find the materials in this small town, thanks.

[@ttmilbr]

Thanks! Very informative.

[@litemup50]

Thank you! Big help!

[@ronwilliams321]

Thank you! Sir!

[@PBS-nm1uu]

thank you straight to the point

[@mikewarner2742]

Nicely done and thanks!!

[@Marcoulloa123]

Nice now I can install one when building outdoor kitchens

[@jfarinacci0329]

good video. good explanations. thank you.

[@garyzachow8277]

Nicely connected, although a piece of cedar should have been installed behind the lower half of the box where it overhangs the siding. Makes for a more secure mount, and just as important, a much nicer looking job.

[@shawnlauderdale8836]

This is awesome!

[@darencasey1751]

THANK YOU! well done...

[@RD-wy5dj]

Thanks for the video! 👍

[@jimbola77]

Very nice professional job!!!!!!

[@jerrellstrawn6409]

Great video. When mounting on brick or concrete I like to screw in the Romex strain relief from inside the box.

[@DieselCricket]

Excellent video!

[@miamitreasurehunter]

Thanks so much for Posting this

[@fd3871]

i like to put teflon tape around the "knockout seal". i find water always finds a way in if i don't

[@ip5232]

Me too! But I also drill a couple of small holes in the box and before I close it, i also dust the inside with ant or bugs killer

[@Kenny_K2323]

@@ip5232 you mean like drain holes in the bottom??…

[@ip5232]

@@Kenny_K2323 you can say that

[@HIblue187]

Great how-to video.

[@Subfightr]

Wonderful job. Nice and patient, calm voice, great instructions. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Thank you.

[@SimplyDoneCuisine]

Great! Thanks a million!

[@jessicaquintana1358]

Great commentary and direction. Thank you for your help.

[@45searay]

Very Helpful ….thanks !

[@Pbadome1]

Thanks for the tips.

[@miltonnegron65]

Great job !!!

[@lobo87h82]

well explained. .. tks

[@adamsabz6179]

great educational video well spoken

[@fessit]

Well done, thanks!

[@GangsterishlyMelodic]

Wow. One of the best videos out there and didn't think of the clay like material for the hole . Done two before this video but for some reason this just made me more comfortable with it

[@xbxlxexhx]

Thanks to this channel for this high quality video! Some constructive criticism on the outside part of shown installation: @ 8:39 mark, the strip gage is about 11mm (~7/16″). The stripped wire ends ended up being 14mm -ish (~9/16″). When you push the Live and Neutral wires all the way into the holes and fasten them, the stripped parts of wires should not be visible (should barely be visible). Just cut the excessive ~2/16″ away, and you're golden. As is shown @ 10:02 mark, you almost can fit two stripped Ground wires side-by side on the stripped part of the fastened "hot" wire. Should this happen, an RCD switch will cut the power, if RCD switch is present and the wiring is done correctly; or you can create a short circuit and a circuit breaker actuates, again cutting the power. These were the best case scenarios. IMO this particular receptacle isn't designed with the *bare* ground wire in mind - there are "hot" exposed conductive surfaces allover this receptacle. These surfaces could contact any bare wires in the receptacle box, creating a short circuit or making some of the other conductive surfaces "hot". As some of the previous comments mentioned, the boxes need to be mounted tight and level. I'm not a native speaker, sorry for my English! Thank you and stay safe! TL/DR: a) you should have no access to stripped wire ends once they're fastened, else you could burn your house down, b) use modern cables and receptacles, meeting acknowledged standards like IEC, c) fasten the receptacle boxes level and tight!

[@xbxlxexhx]

Regarding stripped wire ends: don't put the unstripped insulation-covered part of the wire inside the receptacle's holes/under the screw either. Else you could burn your house down. The stripped part should not be accessable to wires/tools, but the insulation shouldn't enter the hole either.

[@paulgrim3501]

@@xbxlxexhx Thank you. Nice tips. Regarding the "bare ground wire". Is there a romex cable with insulated ground wire?

[@xbxlxexhx]

@@paulgrim3501 I'm not familiar w/ North America's cables. What I can understand from the Wiki page, the "Romex" trademark cable's ground wire (G) is not insulated. Maybe there are different brands of cables w/ an insulated G? If I absolutely had to use it with the plug similar to the one shown in the video, I'd make sure there would be no chance of G wire touching a "hot" surface by insulating G (e.g. with a green or yellow/green insulation tape, leaving the ~11mm - or whatever the norm is - bare tip under the respected screw/contact), and carefully placing it away from the L and N conductor surfaces/contacts (which are ideally recessed, and only accessible by an electrician's screwdriver/tester, the L/N wire ends themselves & the plug's "hot" parts) & cover these "hot" screws from the Ground wire as well (e.g. with a black insulation tape). The Ground wire is there for cutting the voltage to a faulty device (scenario, where a conductive surface, that shouldn't be "hot" becomes "hot" e.g. due to a current leak). If Ground touches a surface that is intended to be "hot", it'll defeat its purpose. Ideally it'll just trip the Residual-current device as soon as you turn the voltage on (flip the circuit breaker switch on) to this installation. Hope this was helpful. Stay safe!

[@paulgrim3501]

​@@xbxlxexhx Thank you!

[@shelms488]

@@paulgrim3501 There isn't a NM-B (Non-metallic sheathed cable - The generic name for Romex.) Does not come with an insulated ground wire. THHN or THWN is more appropriately used in this situation. An additional safeguard is to tape the sides of the receptacle (around the terminals) with electrical tape in order to insulate them against inadvertent contact with either them bare ground, or the other metal parts of the box.

[@ImmortalBJJNC]

Great Vid

[@SkwerlyChess]

Hey, real nice, thanks! Truly appreciate; helped me a ton.

[@Radnally]

Thank you

[@JesusRodriguez-yp5iq]

Good video... well explain

[@proxybox]

Don't forget to silicone or latex caulk the conduit plug at the top. Those leak even when tightened.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

Don't these also often have plastic plugs? Some might want to upgrade to metal plugs if they're not included.

[@proxybox]

@@HandymanHustle I had one under my tankless unit that leaked and my GFCI faulted and I had to replace it because it got water in it and wouldn't reset. Lesson learned and I put latex caulk on it after installing a new GFCI.

[@0Myles0]

You sound like Charles Bronson. Good info! Thank you!

[@lelechim]

I bought an unfinished house where the seller had already drilled the holes to the outside and ran wires through them, but they're just sticking out from the house with caps on the ends but there's no electrical box, so it's basically how 3:10 shows it. Now I know what to do!

[@rockandroll4evermore]

Thanks!!!