How to Install and Wire 2 Outlets in One Box Correctly From Start to Finish!

In this video I show how I convert 1 outlet into 2. I will do this by adding an outlet to an existing outlet and installing a double gang box. This is a relatively quick an easy installation.
Parts and Tools Used:
15 amp Tamper Resistant Outlet: amzn.to/3FocA5f
Wire Nuts: amzn.to/3uSJjL0
Quick Connects: amzn.to/3FrSeId
2 Gang Old Work Box: amzn.to/3AmXnNO
Klein Voltage Tester and Outlet Tester Combo: amzn.to/3uQMp2b
Thank you for watching and for subscribing. You can support the channel at no cost to you by using one of the above affiliate links. This helps support the channel for new content!
Blessings,
Adam
How To Home assumes no liability for damage or injury. How To Home highly recommends using proper safety procedures and professionals when needed. Our content is for entertainment purposes only. No information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not How To Home. How To Home will not be held liable for any negligent or accidental damage or injury resulting from equipment, tools, electrical, fire, electronics or any items contained in this video. Attempt projects and repairs at your own risk.

[@Jon-Jonlg]

This made me smile so hard, my restroom literally had one outlet, now I’m feeling like a licensed electrician THANK YOU

[@MikeJones-Who]

This man needs his own TV show. Excellent instructor. Excellent video. 👏 👏 👏

[@andykim5927]

No BS, Very Clear instruction. Best guy on You Tube, Thank You!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You are too kind. I am glad you are finding value in the channel. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@OldCurmudgeon3DP]

I'm impressed you got that much romex crammed into the box and still had room for the outlets. 👍

[@RelaxedPuppy]

Thank you for this video! I paid a lot of money to have this done by a licensed for electrician as part of a panel upgrade.. A team of two guys came over and I think the summer intern did the outlets. The boxes went in crooked and a jumper connection of some sort was used. When I checked, they had open neutrals. What a mess. This video really helps me understand what needs to be done.

[@Raymo853inLeDroit]

I am find it too crowded for me. My idea, use a 3 gang box with one black center location. Has the added benefit of giving room for large plugs for electronics.

[@lewismcdowell204]

Well done, easy to understand, safety discussed and confidence achieved. God Bless

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback! God bless you too Lewis.

[@Aymenoshka]

That’s the easiest way to wire multiple outlets thanks

[@drexistre7364]

awesome video couldn't have made it any easier 👍👍

[@michaeldrevyankosr6180]

Wow I am impressed, you put 10 pounds of wire, in a 5 pound box 😮

[@HowToHomeDIY]

To be fair, I didn’t, the electrician did. I just recreated it 😂

[@jimpie231]

I suspect he used a deeper box. They do sell deeper boxes. I’m in the Chicago area and we use metal conduit and metal boxes. I’ve done back to back boxes, from one room to an other or a switch box on the outside of a pantry to an outlet on the inside of a pantry ( toaster outlet). Normally a wall has a 3 1/2” space plus drywall (2@ 1/2” or 2@ 5/8” or 1/2” + 5/8”, etc). To fill this void you buy boxes and spacers to make up the void and add electrical. I did a very unusual setup for my wife in the dining room room. She has a credenza that has her crystal. The cabinet has lights, but you have to plug them in and turn the lights on by reaching over the top to reach the switch, not easy. The wall behind the credenza is shared by the mudroom. When my wife is ironing, you can’t get into the garage unless she unplugs the iron, etc. So when I put a switched outlet behind the credenza, I made this with back to back outlets, one in the mudroom needed to be 3’ from the floor and that also worked for the credenza. I had an open basement below, so I ran conduit from a switch on the wall in the dining room, to the new credenza wall outlet, and added the piggyback outlet and I was done. There are others I did using the new Decora 3 gang switch to do some amazing things, in my garage.

[@MoltenSamurai]

This really simplifies it, I think I like this better than trying to connect the second outlet to the first and all that. Feels more elegant to just wire them both the same way and pigtail it.

[@toodull3814]

Thank you! This helped to fix my mysterious "open ground" reading in my two gang.

[@eotheleo83]

Great video. Thank you for not "back-stabbing"/speed-wiring your receptacles. Hooking the wire around the terminal screw the correct way (you show) is so important.

[@sondra6500]

Another great video. This will be a huge help. My home was built in 1870 so some rooms only have 1 outlet. Your videos are awesome

[@thekaylornator]

I really enjoy your straightforward no nonsense way of demonstrating and explaining each step to do the project you're covering. So, Thank you for your efforts.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

I am really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback Tim!

[@brandonstubbs869]

I appreciate how simple you have made this. I'm adding a double gang box into my wall and I am glad your video is straight forward.

[@PapasAnimals]

ZOIKS! I appreciate your excellent video series on household wiring. In particular, I am scratching my head trying to figure out how to make sense of this UNLABELED fuse box in my garage. Still perusing your channel for a s-l-o-w lesson figuring out what goes where. Thanks for all you do! Peace and Love, Papa

[@steveabsalonson931]

Excellent video/demo; one of best I've seen! I was just getting ready to attempt this. Several very good explanations of old box vs new, actual hook up, etc. Thank you very much 😀

[@jimholloway1785]

This is my next project to install a 2nd duplex receptable in my home office. I really like your attention to detail and why you are doing each step, this is very helpful and gives me the confidence to do this upgrade myself. good job.

[@rdkingjaxfla1423]

Excellent video for us newbies. Like the idea of separate wire to each outlet. I’m doing a project now and had jumper wires to each outlet. I’m going back and change them…thanks for the easy explanation.

[@sabingratz]

You’re a great teacher and my go-to resource for my own electrical projects. Thank a million.

[@Ykchan32]

Great teacher

[@Sean-bp6xb]

I have this exact project coming up and was a bit Leary of tackling it. I feel more confident now. I wasn’t aware that the new style boxes existed with the turning tabs to tighten them up. Good job on getting all the wire back in. I struggle with that and sometimes have to recur into shorter lengths. Thx for sharing. Wish me luck. Watching from Ontario Canada 🎉. Subscribing now.

[@gwsain]

Hey man, thank you for this. I had this exact project on my list and your video made it super easy!

[@odin672]

Thank you for this tutorial. Very helpful and exactly what I was looking for.

[@kyle.grabowska]

Your video was awesome! Just changed an outlet in my garage. Thank you!

[@beaubuck7616]

Bravo, simple and step by step - great for learning!

[@leskish7718]

Truly excellent, easy to follow directions. I had two challenges, the one was the existing hole was somewhat too large on one side for the “clip-on” box and the other pushing in all the wires behind into the box without dislodging it. Thanks for the great video!

[@kimchee94112]

Use scrap wood as backing, glue and screw to the back of the sheet rock just enough to fill in the gap. Drill 2 holes on the side of the JB then screw to the stud. Tape and mud the gaps.

[@shangrilahomestead9930]

Great straightforward information and so appreciated. 😊

[@Peter-rc8wy]

I enjoyed these videos, they are very clear and easy to understand!! thanks

[@eotheleo83]

Great video. I wrap the receptacles with with electrical tape, covering the screw head terminals. That way, when you cram all the wires and receptacles into the box, if the ground wire ends up contacting one of the terminal screws it doesn't arc.

[@SaltMinerOU812]

Yeah I usually do that too

[@boblambert-ir8ow]

Great job

[@bobhart1155]

This video was very helpful! Going to help me with a similar project in my shop. Thanks!

[@susannelson7790]

This was amazingly helpful and I'll be doing this this weekend!

[@tedcantrell6271]

Thanks man. Excellent video. I need to do this to my kitchen island. Although this is a simple project, your great video just made it easyer. :)

[@mikehedlund9631]

Good simple explanation of that job. Many thanks

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You very welcome. I am glad you liked it. Thank you very much for the feedback.

[@Jeff-nw8lt]

Good comprehensive tutorial.

[@mjsoup29]

Again, helpful, clear and great explanation. Thank you!

[@ChangeTomorrow]

Thanks, Adam; the video was a BIG help.

[@dougmorissette459]

What a fantastic video. Extremely informative. Thanks.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Awesome! Glad it was helpful. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@soul00theeundead]

I need to try this. One of my outlets plugs doesnt work on so that one only has on plug working. And i would like more plugs. I can rewatch your videos a few times and I think it can be done. If not maybe ill ask my uncle. 👍👍very well explained thanks you for a very clear video

[@dennislaroche7427]

Great video and demonstration, very helpful! Thank you!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for the feedback!

[@dwaynemcallister7231]

Thx for the video, I did the same except used a metal box screwed to the studs using a drill and 90 angle attachment to enable turning screws in the box

[@ajandbb]

Very good job at teaching. !!

[@kevinchristopher9687]

Thank you. Very well explained.

[@stevendangelo4818]

Very clear basic info thanks

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You are very welcome! I am glad you liked it. Thank you for the feedback Steven!

[@ronbishop4057]

Excellent video, I can't say anything new that hasn't been said below. Thank you

[@mikecowan7828]

Good presentation. Done it before but learned how to doit better great

[@Lexithebeaglebear]

Great Video! Nicely done. Thanks

[@markyoussef4542]

thank you - found your videos very help full

[@jamesguillaume8655]

You are a lifesaver, thank you!

[@pablolira1892]

Excellent video! 👏

[@harrymoreland2160]

Very informative, thank you.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You're welcome! Really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks for the feedback!

[@manuelmolina1189]

Really good advice.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for the feedback!

[@drewskiyomama4522]

Awesome worked great

[@grandmaraps]

Thank you, very clear.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Thank you for the feedback. Glad you liked it!

[@tomrang8196]

Enjoyed the vid

[@stevenpinney487]

You’re the best man

[@timedwards8980]

I have found that remodel boxes do the job. However dry wall is a tricky thing. I have found if you cut your hole as you did, a standard box is more durable. pre drill some small hole in the stud side of the box. run some screws into those holes with just the tips started. Once the box is adjusted. Run those screws into the stud. It more durable and rock solid. This is especially useful if you adding a third gang or fourth gang to an existing switch. old work ears aren't necessarily reliable. dry wall can have fractures which doesn't like box ears.

[@dash10298]

Thank you

[@peterodriguez4985]

Great video...thank you sir

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You are very welcome. Really glad to hear you liked it Pete! Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@ldballoon4]

excellent

[@chrishale-gz4jd]

Great vid thanks

[@SaltMinerOU812]

7:50 See what he did there? The neutral wires twisted together were too long for the wire nut so he quickly covered it with tape instead of just snipping them and making it fit proper 😂 Bustin ya, like your videos

[@Tom-pd4oc]

Excellent

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Thank you Tom! Glad you liked it. Thank you for the feedback!

[@SteveLee-iw6wz]

Thx!!

[@jpdiscoount2448]

Very helpful video Thank you. would it be the same concept if the receptacles were GFI?

[@michaelcox5138]

LIked it and helpful!!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Awesome! Glad you liked it! Thanks for the feedback.

[@sultandamani9069]

Thanks

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You’re welcome

[@BWGPEI]

I was betting you would us the pigtails, must be because I do pay attention to your postings. Many Thanks!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Haha yup. I pretty much always do unless its a GFCI. Appreciate the feedback!

[@dahquan1000]

Thanks!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You are very welcome! Really glad you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback and the Super Thanks!

[@maggiedempewolf4952]

Been trying to rewire 1971 wiring at the outlets and switche scorrectly, what a nightmare! Thank you for your videos.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

I can imagine! You are very welcome. Glad you are liking them. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@togamac]

Thank you for this. I'm strictly an amateur but have been taught to test the tester before testing. In other words go to a live socket and make sure it indicates a live circuit. I've never had one fail but, it could, right?

[@TheEricSchubert]

Was looking for just this information. Only thing I would add is to mention how GFCI/AFCI outlets affect your wiring. If you want the GFCI/AFCI to protect outlets, they need to be downstream from the protected outlet so they all shut off together.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Thanks a lot for the feedback Eric!

[@paulgraves7391]

Nice video Bud. I can't find a video going from a 2-gang box to a 1-gang box. I'd love to see your take on that undertaking.

[@eduardoloza7368]

Excellent vidoe it really helped but i do have a question. Do you have to change out the breaker?

[@georgefoldi2615]

Great video. Going to do the same type of project. Question I have is how long should the pigtails be for connecting?

[@jeremiahpowell3028]

Great video would this be the same if one of the outlets would be a switch? My bathroom has a side switch/single plug gfi and I want another outlet and normal switch

[@surferdude642]

Looks pretty easy when the original box is plastic. In my case the box is metal and the mounting nails are an inch or 2 above and below the box. Like you said, using a sawsall may not be the best method. I could still try to pry it out, but I worry about making a mess of it. Any suggestions?

[@user-ho8mn6ie1m]

Maybe this is old-school but my old Canadian code book says that the outlet should be installed with the face upside down. In other words the ground prong should be on top. The reason being that if say a metallic chair were to tip backward in a way to pull the plug slightly out of the of the socket, the first thing it would encounter is the ground. It would be very difficult to hit the other 2 prongs.

[@andrewbrown4985]

Great video. Was wondering have you ever done a two switch to a three switch conversion?

[@Eugene_Connor]

Good vid. Rather than using an old work box, what do you (or readers) think about wood-screwing a 2-gang new work box into the stud?

[@mathewshoyt1763]

wago/push in connectors i believe are only used for low voltage lighting...

[@1959nickd]

nice

[@jamesgraul63]

I agree pigtails are the best way to go.

[@eduardofuentes5299]

Great Video! What if I need to add an additional outlet approximately 20ft away? Would I just add an extra set of 3 pigtails and run my romex? Your response would be greatly appreciated!

[@AlekDavis]

The best video on the topic I've seen so far. The only question: what kind of wire do I need to buy assuming I do not have any extra pieces left? UPDATE 1: I went to a local Ace Hardware and they sell romex wire by feet. It's about $2 per foot. The main question is whether you need a 14 AWG or a 12 AWG. From what I understand, 15 AMP circuits use 14 AWG, while 20 AMP use 12 AWG. Since my circuit (according to the panel switch) is 15 AMP, I bought 14 AWG, 3-wire, solid core. When I open the outlet I will determine if the guess was correct or not. UPDATE 2: Finally got a chance to get it done. Took about 40 minutes (including watching parts of the video). My estimate for the wire type was correct (my 15A circuit uses 14 AWG wire). Have been needing to do this for a few years and finally got it done and it was easier than I had expected. Thanks again!

[@mqquresh]

Thanks for sharing these details. I had the same questions in mind. The other confusing part for me is that he has two sets of wires behind his initial outlet. I think he called it feed line and receiving line. I didn't realize there would be two sets like that. Did you have those as well?

[@AlekDavis]

@@mqquresh If I understand what you're asking, these are not two sets of wires. Think of it this way: say, there is no outlet at all in the wall, it would be just one set of wires going along the wall from point A to point B. How do you put an outlet between A and B? Well, you cut them (now you have two sets) and connect the ends to two sides of the outlet. One connection will bring power from the source to this new outlet, the other will take it from this new outlet to the next.

[@mqquresh]

@@AlekDavis I guess to simply frame it, why does he have 6 wires behind the one outlet. Shouldn’t there be just 3 before he does the pigtail step and adds a second outlet?

[@AlekDavis]

@@mqquresh I think I tried to explain it. 3 wires bring power to the outlet and the other 3 connect this outlet to the next one on the circuit.

[@mqquresh]

@@AlekDavis got it, thank you!

[@momzilla9491]

Hello, Thank you informative video on adding a second power source. I'm thinking that this will solve ugly extension cord issues for a wall where I've cleared space. Could you please tell me how much time a job like this will take for an experience electrician? I need to budget for this and want to know if someone is trying to take advantage. Let's just say I'm single now because of Covid. I just finished putting in 7 new plugs, but I would never attempt this. Again, thank you so very much

[@donaldhollingsworth3875]

Would you recommend Ideal or Wago connectors vs wire nuts?

[@alanhaan6192]

Can you please make a video on splitting a common double plug into two separate circuits with separate bakers?

[@DanielField2023]

What set of wires are you using 12/3 or 14/3? if using (Wago connectors) there no issue with ground wires setup much easier setup as well white neutral and black hot wires .

[@Keeps-]

Can you help me with a ceiling fan ? Need the fan and light on 2 different switches . I have 3 14/2 lines going into one outlet with one switch controlling both at same time .

[@kevcordes21]

I have an unfinished basement and want to add more outlets. Is it better to daisy chain or wirenut (4) 14-2 wires in a junction box and run separate wires out from there?

[@jamesmichon1425]

I'm adding a double gang box in the middle of a series of singles. Is there anything different in going from a receptacle in the double (wired using pigtails as you have shown) to the next single down the line?

[@ShanesHobbyShop]

question.... what do you do if you cut away too much drywall and the tabs on the new/old box does not grab the drywall?

[@rubenruiz2987]

Can you Continue adding another wall plug if want three wall plugs?

[@naturallymarisa]

Any suggestions for an outlet where half is on a switch and half is always on?

[@josesosa1628]

How can i install a gfci with line and load lines and add an outlet? Thank you

[@ahearnarts]

Your method is better than looping small wires between outlets. What is the recommended amount of outlets on a 15 amp circuit?

[@HowToHomeDIY]

There is no code for number of receptacles on a circuit and every electrician has given me a different approximate number ranging from 8-12. It just depends on what the rooms are and what the receptacles are going to be used for. You don’t want the anticipated load to be higher than 80% of the circuit’s rating.

[@onemannation4321]

When i use thoes boxes i always add 2 screws in to stud to secure it and to avoid any contact i add electrical tape to the screws heads

[@cesaralvarez3298]

Does this apply if you have a gfi and adding a second outlet

[@lekhak78]

Thanks for sharing. Was very informative. Did not understand the need for pigtails though. You had 2 grounds, 2 whites and 2 black wires to begin with before you added pigtails to short them. Why not hook them up directly to the outlets? What am I missing?

[@bernlitzner2739]

He wanted to eliminate the hop between the two outlets, and have each outlet independent in case of a failure of one of them. You could do it your way (line side on one outlet/load side on the other, but you would have to wire a hop between the two outlets). Hope that makes some sense.