Add an Outlet to an Existing Outlet - STEP by STEP - So easy an idiot can do it!

[@jeffmiller5252]

I know others have commented but it's important to reiterate 2 things: 1) don't backstab the wires into the outlet as they can work loose over time and create a short/fire hazard. Always take the time to use the screw terminals and 2) when using the screw terminals, make sure that the wire loop is oriented clockwise so that when you tighten the screw, the wire is pulled into the terminal

[@Bend202-f3p]

Question: why do they even have them ( back stabbers) if that happens 🤔 Just wondering.. Carpenter.

[@composish]

thanks! Is it important that the black and white wires go in diagonally from one another on the back of the outlets? Could they just as well go into both lower or both upper screws instead of crossing that way?

[@gregorypeck37]

Bingo

[@andrewhickey6158]

As an idiot I don’t understand when you say backstab the wires and the wire loop

[@composish]

@@andrewhickey6158 if you're an idiot why don't I remember you from the meetings? A lot of outlets now have the option of attaching the wires with screw terminals or stabbing them into little holes in the back. The recommendation here is to always use the more secure screws, which necessitates making a little bend in the end of the wire first (aka wire loop). And you want to make sure that the wire is looping around the screw in the same clockwise direction you have to turn the screw to tighten it, so that as you tighten it down you're also pulling the wire a little further around the screw rather than back off, making it more secure rather than less.

[@Wildman77082]

I’m not gonna lie, I laughed out loud at the house exploding cut scene. Thx for the video my man!

[@made4moore_adventure170]

Same

[@MrJimmy-ox7fq]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I'm not a professional electrician but I am a professional KZbin watcher. Most videos (I've watched) don't recommend using those little holes in the back of the outlet because the wires can pop loose. Also wrap and screw the wires clockwise for a good connection. Thank you again for your time and efforts. Stay safe!

[@Csharpflat5]

I agree the builder love them cause they are quick when ever I replace I do it the right way and tape the back wound with electrical tape.

[@JEANNECOUNCIL]

i love that you were right to the point with no waiting and very entertaining. Thanks

[@virgil3241]

Stab connectors, hate them, Greater chance if them becoming loose. Screws while taking longer, are a for sure connection. Other than that, very useful video. I am just a homeowner like you, take my comments as you will.

[@mcase94]

So many videos made this way to complicated. Thank you! Exactly what I needed

[@shellyeahshay]

You have given me the confidence to make an outlet behind my coffee station. Thank you!

[@joeseeker]

HAHAHA NOT THE HOUSE EXPLODING! Loved it, good information, thanks man!

[@jeffkalmar7871]

You wrapped the first ground wire (on the old outlet) the wrong way, it should always go the same direction as tightening the screw. My Dad would have slapped your hand. Other than that, good job!

[@oafkad]

Had a local electrician doing some work in our basement and after their third attempt to get it right this is perfect timing. Two separate circuits are using the same junction box and it looks like cross talk is causing them to flip. Also yeah, boy howdy. Learning to do this stuff yourself is a HUGE money saver. That electrician work was 760 dollars. Never again.

[@HAXMAN]

These types of videos upset electricians.

[@amlewiscanada]

The "results" of flipping your breaker on made me lol

[@ernieadams1081]

I have a closet that I would love to have an outlet to plug in an iron. This video gave me the confidence that I needed. Great video! I absolutely loved the house blowing up. Don’t we all think of that when we flip that switch after doing some handy work?! LOL!

[@joshieversace]

Thank you for the video. I feel confident now I can add another outlet in my bathroom 🙂

[@noahschwartz7236]

Got this done today with little hassle. I appreciate the demonstration!

[@jessicadefilippo4887]

You Sir, may be the best source of practical and funny information on my computer!!! You ROCK!

[@thepenpusher0674]

THANK YOU! Another one I really needed! I can fix one of my kitchen outlets!

[@xungngo]

Glad you survived the explosion. I am about to venture down this route of extending my outlet. Been watch some videos and half of the folks said to pigtail the extension wire as opposed to connecting it straight into the existing outlet because of over heating the existing outlet. I am not an electrician just a newbie diyer so I donno.

[@Csharpflat5]

I would do pigtails and wire nuts I am old, 😊

[@jennifermarshall6792]

LOVE your videos! Thank you for this guide. Will be adding an outlet to our garage soon.

[@davids2839]

Well hell when you flipped the breaker on I jumped ten feet LOL 😂

[@rcoconut]

Thank you for taking the time to make your vids! My wife and I used your vid for the outdoor “cafe” type lights you made with the 1/2 size whiskey barrels & this will help add an electrical outlet to our sons room where we’re gonna mount his tv on the wall, wish us luck!!

[@edwardgroff7757]

This video is the best out there. Only thing I would recommend.is you should flip the outlet so the ground is on top and not on the bottom. This way if something falls and hits the cord in the outlet. It will break the ground and trip the breaker. If the ground is on the bottom and the plug breaks and doesn’t trip the breaker. It could cause a fire. Just a suggestion,never can be too safe.

[@aurvaroy6670]

You're kidding right? This is the worst video. He made so many errors with the wiring

[@Thefirealarmdude_2024]

One of them is that he backstabbed the outlet and that can become loose over time and start a fire

[@connieellis4022]

Thank you!! Will this work for a wall pull chain light?

[@SMASHINGblargharghar]

This was super helpful. I've never done electrical stuff before but just finished extending my outlet. I had to do pigtails to make it all work but honestly it wasn't that bad. Thanks! Saved me at least $100

[@CyrusDrake]

The house exploding really got me. 😂 Great video.

[@BrendonBlum]

This is exactly what I was looking for! Thanks for your help!!

[@jim-f69]

Awesome video man! The explosion at the end was hilarious 😅👍🏻

[@cappiejoe1969]

Great video. I actually LOL when the home exploded

[@ncpsychlist]

5 stars ***** You showed me exactly what I needed to know in a short period of time. Thank you for making this video! Loved the exploding house at the end. Very funny : )

[@CreatewithChante]

Great video. Thanks!

[@TwilightSentinel]

I find installing outlets with the ground up is awesome! Makes those large cords have less chance of falling out.

[@patriot-dv6dh]

Nice vid. A few minor things. I'm no electrician, but I'm pretty sure you can't "just double up on the ground screw" or any of the terminals, for that matter. Also, there's probably a lot of debate around this, but, from what I've seen, I would try to avoid the "backstabs" as much as possible, seems they could be prone to failure... Thanks for showing this, I want to add an outlet in toilet room for a washlet... for the wife, of course, and this makes it more approachable.

[@mikebode4151]

Great video. Exactly what I need (since I am any idiot). I am going with the consensus of comment and wrapping the wires on the screws ( clockwise) rather than backstabbing. I have got to say that ground wire connector is ingenious. The commenter that said you can’t combine ground wires is wrong. I have done it successfully. Why else would they make that connector? Yeah.. should be clockwise.

[@tedlu008]

Great video. The new Leviton decora outlet will probably make this project even easier.

[@surferdude642]

I think that you're referring to the Leviton Edge. It would have been a better option compared to what he did, it's only about $2 more per receptacle. I'm not a big fan of those, I'd rather use a commercial spec grade receptacle, better quality and less expensive than the Leviton Edge.

[@tedlu008]

Thanks. I’ll need to look into the professional non-edge outlets. Hope they are available in homedepot.

[@ShawnGreen-pd2cj]

Great video! I was able to copy what you did although I did wire onto the screws… The only thing that you should maybe clarify is -why did you wire the black-and-white wires on the second outlet on opposite corners (kitty corner) to each other? And does it matter?

[@NatureLapse22]

I just busted laughing out loud at work. Everyone is looking at me. Thanks Haxxman!

[@teddahrable]

I know you are a homeowner and not a professional, but when it comes to electrical, you don't just "add a plug" wherever you want. There is a code requirement. 12 fixtures on a circuit is the max for code. That's 12 lights or receptacles or any combination of the above. The breaker said downstairs garage and laundry lights. There's a good chance that there is a couple of lights in the laundry room/bathroom and since we know that there is at least one wall receptacle in the bathroom, there are probably another two or three receptacles scattered around the room on the walls. I am sure that there are more than a couple of light fixtures in the garage and maybe one or two outside the garage running off of the same circuit, more than a few residential electricians try to load the circuits to the max to save on cost. While you may be perfectly fine here, you do not know if the other guy watching this has taken your advice and gone ahead with overloading his circuit, it won't automatically blow the breaker but the combined loads could keep the circuit running hot all the time until there is eventually a failure. Another item : I have installed tens of thousands of feet of 14/2, 14/3, 12/2, 12/3, 10/3, and 8/3. Almost all of it has been white with a few browns, yellows, and even blues. It is only the manufacturer that makes that distinction and perhaps the box store carries it that way to help both the unwitting store employee and the DIYer. There is, however, caveat with my experience. Wiring used for electric heating is labelled 12/2 and is red in colour because it is used for 240V circuits and the conductors inside are red and black. However, it can easily be used for wiring ANY 120V, 20A circuit. Please be careful in giving information to the uninformed, especially if you don't know the difference yourself. I am a new viewer and have enjoyed your videos so far today, especially the fire pit. Please do not stop, just get information right.

[@MAGAMAN]

There is a good reason why they require certified electricians to do electrical work. Working with electricity is dangerous and can easily kill someone if you don't know what you are doing.

[@XploreAz]

@@MAGAMAN agreed. A guy I work with was just electrocuted trying to work on his pool pump. He wasn’t an electrician.

[@keithharrington8715]

As an electrical guy, but more important, as a dad....gfci protection. At about time 00:45 you pointed to a bathroom receptecle you tied into. This recepricle was not marked as gcfi protected. The dad in me asks you to check on this, gfci protection for any receptecle in bathroom nec 210.8. This may be in your breaker already, but test please. Also, nec 210.8 demands gfci protection for eeceptecles in the garage. You never mentioned it. It may be on your breaker or you can swap out your "closest to the panel" in the garage receptle to supply this protection for your other outlets. Kids play, rain or shine. Please make sure they have this safety feature. 10/9/2022....rewatched and saw it on the breaker. Remember to test iaw manufacturer's instructions.

[@marvomatic123]

Always wrap your ground wire around the screw clockwise son... Your better then that...!

[@HAXMAN]

I knew someone would say that 😄

[@prplaya911]

I was going say something but ....

[@rayray9777]

@@HAXMAN you did do it the right way clockwise not sure what that dude was on. When you tightened the screw the wire was the right way. Looked like you put it in wrong at first but then the video was cut and started again also if that’s 12 gauge wire … most receptacle push in connections on the back are made for 14 gauge.

[@rayray9777]

@ Thomas Beske he did go clockwise on the ground screw. Stop the video and look or snap shot it. What are you smoking?

[@rayray9777]

@@prplaya911 he did go clockwise on The ground screw. What you smokin.. must be good

[@benjaminpetersen761]

Bro that explosion had me busting. That is just my luck!! Great vid tho

[@mariondorsett]

I need to do this with a light switch! I've been trying to figure out how to make it work!

[@rosebailey8298]

Love this video and the fireworks 🤩 Lol 🤣

[@SusanStoneSalas]

I do not know much about electrical, but I do recognize some things done are not to code, for safety it never hurts to take a few classes about electrical before taking of such tasks that have the potential to be life-threatening.

[@clemkonan]

Come to Canada bro we need you informative and funny as hell

[@cgstadler]

the explosion made me lol. good work :-)

[@zachhill5019]

So did you just connect the new wire to the existing outlet and then run that new wire to the new outlet? Still leaving the old wire on the existing outlet?

[@jfc650]

Does the outlet box need to be attached to a stud? Thanks.

[@HAXMAN]

You can get retrofit boxes that don’t need a stud.

[@jfc650]

@@HAXMAN Got it. Thanks a lot.

[@stevestudley5685]

I learned something. Thank you.

[@mttfrnkl85]

😂😂 that explosion is literally what I think will happen anytime I do anything electrical

[@alextsushko]

At 2:42! I knew it!!! So it is true! It has to be done 😂

[@erickim258]

Would all the steps be the same for adding a GFCI outlet? Thanks in advance!

[@alvina.4261]

To add a GCFI the very 1st outlet coming from the breaker has to be the GCFI outlet to protect the rest of the outlets after it, if not then only the GCFI outlet only will be protected

[@whistle4388]

I do not understand how any man could survive an explosion of that size🤯?! Completely incredible💪! But a very informative video nonetheless could not have done it without it because I had to keep coming back after each step got er done tho😃

[@zzubuzz]

6:00 Some of the older wire may be white but that doesn't mean it's 14 gauge as they ink stamped what amp rating it was. I did some re-construction in my house that was re-modeled by the former owners back in the late 80's and found this out. So, these days (don't know exactly when)..they decided to go standardize white 14, yellow 12 and orange 10. I didn't know they made extra big boxes for pigtailing, I'm on the cusp of cutting and adding a junction box in my basement because I don't think the small box behind the wire would house a pigtail and another line. Funny they allow that box but installing a junction box has to be accessible (not behind drywall).

[@christacurtis4125]

Forgive the newbie DIYer question - if I want to do this from an outlet close to the floor, say to plug in a vacuum, to create an outlet in a pantry that I can plug a microwave and/or a toaster into, would the ampage matter? Higher is better? I'm sure I would need to know what the existing outlet ampage is, but if it happens to be the lower one, can I connect a higher ampage wire to the existing outlet for the extension?

[@vilo3454]

Would have been a good video if you would have shown how u ran the cable. Which is probably the most important part.

[@elliottwilson9012]

actually laughed at the explosion😆

[@heathmiller3874]

This might be a dumb question, but could you continue the series and add another plug-in off the new one if you needed to do so?

[@x2mariah4x]

Check how many outlets and lights are already on the circuit first- crappy way to figure that out is turn the breaker off to the outlet you plan on piggybacking off of. Then count how many outlets/lights lose power. 15 amp circuit can have around 8 lights/outlets total and 20 amp circuit can have 10 lights/outlets total.(the breaker you flip off on panel will be numbered accordingly). Use 14 gauge white Romex wire for 15amp and 12 gauge yellow wire for 20amp. Never white wire for 20 as its not big enough wire to handle the load. You can use yellow for 15 however. I'm no electrician but im finishing my basement DIY style and this is what I've found thru my research. Hope I helped!

[@PamDigman]

The outlet I want to use to add another outlet has two sets of wires. They are not stripped but pushed into brackets. The ground wire is stripped and pushed into place. It doesn’t look like there is room for more wires. I can send a picture. Can you help?

[@tedlu008]

Great video.

[@alsacs3635]

Good job!

[@user-hq7xd2is8b]

Great instructions

[@Bend202-f3p]

4:28 I used a spoon. Didn't come out good..😅

[@vasquca1]

Best video yet

[@patrone123]

Helpful AND hilarious!

[@Max_1328]

Thank you man I now don't have to pay an electrician to do that

[@SEBTECHDIY]

I love how you finish your video by telling " Any idiot can add an outlet " 😂😂 Thanks for sharing, I didn't have those green marette for the ground wire. 🥴

[@kyleclark6249]

Very helpful thank you!

[@MortgageNavigation]

My dogs starting barking after hearing your dogs bark. LOL

[@ElectricRCAircraftGuy]

On the original outlet you wrapped the ground wire around the screw wrong. You should wrap it clockwise around the screw so that tightening the screw tightens the loop rather than loosens it. You did the new outlet correctly.

[@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

You are a MASTER instructor... My ADHD mind soaked that up in a SINGLE VIEWING!!! You must have been in the Military or something. Can you teach us how to add an electrical Sub-Panel?

[@kylepark176]

lol 11:03 had me rolling dude!! too funny!! great vid also-thx

[@SweetMercyMarie]

This is exactly what I was needing, thank you! Unrelated: is that backband around your door and window trim? If yes, do you remember what type/where you found it? I've got slightly-larger-than-builder-grade trim in my current house, but after ripping out and replacing all the trim on my last house, I'm not in a hurry to do that whole process again, much as I loved the results. Some backband would solve it for me, but I can't seem to find what I'm after at the big box stores. Cheers!

[@user-tz8bi7yk6n]

Great video, thank you!

[@Oooohhjayyyy]

Curious.. is this better than the pig tail method?

[@mariewaguespack8737]

Thank you!

[@robletto841]

Nice!! Well done!!

[@rosebailey8298]

How do you add old wire with no ground to an new outlet with ground... 🙏

[@erivertohernandez1864]

muchas gracias TU video me sirbio de mucho gracias huerito

[@surferdude642]

You left too much sheathing in the boxes, it should only be about 1/2" as shown at 5:05 on original wiring. It's good practice to tighten the screws that are not used. You can use a 15 or 20 amp receptacle on a 20 amp circuit (12 gauge wire), but you can only use a 15 amp receptacle on a 15 amp circuit (14 gauge wire), NEC 210.21(b)(3).

[@03taru]

the best part was the explosion!!!!

[@myn76]

Thank you

[@Lanita111]

1. Leave The Wire Jacket 3-4. 2. Do Not Use The Backstab Holes Because I Seen Outlets And Switches Fail. 3. You Did Not Use A #1 Robertson Or ECX Screwdriver. 4. You Did Not Tighten Those Unsued Screws. 5. You Did Not Pigtail The Downstream Outlet Just In Case If The Downstream Outlet Fails Then The New Outlet Will Not Work.

[@SierraOne]

Welp, I consider myself and idiot and I'll think I'll try it! What could go wrong Hold my beer and watch this!

[@HAXMAN]

You should be good to go then. 😄

[@EdwinGonzalez-yd1fi]

what if it's black red and ground?

[@rotlung666]

what was that wire nut?!

[@thefrankperspective4247]

"I'm gonna use a steak knife" *Kim enters the chat*

[@Tylersdad717]

My father was an electrician for the NYCTA for 30 years+. I worked with him as a kid growing up until my early 20's and nearly every estimate would start off with "Holy shit! what the fuck did so and so do to this? WTH?! and have to hear about how close to death the last contractor was etc. If I learned anything from the guy it was how dangerous electricity is and the endless variables that could go wrong and kill an entire family. I recently hired a friend who is newly licensed to install a 240v outlet and some other random projects just to be safe. I'm perfectly capable on my own but I sleep better at night. Take heed before jumping into working with wires people.

[@andrearuffino]

My father in law was an electrician for NYCTA also. He specialized in lighting and he always worked with live lines. That is how I learned, but I don't do that anymore.

[@badtolz2122]

I just thought about adding an outlet to our closet. I did not search this. It just showed up as like the 10th video. Creepy.

[@carolkantner1770]

I think every man thinks a stud finder doesn't work properly 😆

[@MAGAMAN]

If you aren't an electrician, you should probably not be doing electrical work. Serious injury or death may occur. You could also burn your house down by using the wrong size wire, overloading an outlet or just having a poor connection.

[@packerbacker9109]

So we’ll just pay hundreds of dollars instead of doing it ourselves right? Ok trump 2020

[@joshualincoln350]

@@packerbacker9109 I mean he has a point.. at least do your research fist. Old homeowner of the house that I now own used 15 amp outlets (AND STAB CONNECTIONS) on a 20 amp circuit. He also installed some 20 amp breakers on some circuits with 14 gauge wire, which is a massive no-no. Just generally didn't know what he was doing and figured that because he could use a screwdriver and a hammer that he was qualified to repair or upgrade the electrical in the house. I replaced every single outlet and switch and had to rewire a few circuits because of massive code violations.

[@rustyshackleford4668]

Dont use the push in method. Ever.

[@dwightengle8802]

I'm going to hire an Idiot.

[@zachgoestoeuro]

Don’t back stab son!

[@rexsaavedra4743]

So if i can do it , Im an idiot.

[@jonanderson5137]

I wrote a long thing, but no one reads those. This is not acceptable work, even for a homeowner. Entertaining, but shoddy work.

[@jandjolsen2146]

Im glad you spared us the long post.

[@aldana69dba]

jajaja (minute 11)

[@zacharybinette9103]

Hook on ground facing wrong way needs to go clockwise with screw love the vids but leave electrical to electricians

[@bigredjohnson6921]

For those of you wanting to do it the right way, this is the wrong video to be watching. Multiple mistakes on here.

[@PedroLopez-fy6qx]

Like what

[@thefrankperspective4247]

More fun in the wayback machine... btw, why no IG for Haxman? Keep meaning to ask.

[@HAXMAN]

I do. I just don’t post.

[@thefrankperspective4247]

Not looking to spread all that Haxmaniac social goodness outside of YT eh? (Did see a page that hadn’t been updated in 32,768 years lol)