Wire Up Outlets and Switches Using Romex
It’s ok to locate an outlet 12″ above the floor. Install your outlets higher if you would like to. Switches commonly go 48″ off the floor but that too can vary if need be. We will assume the light fixture is a surface mounted one and will be located in the center of the room.
Purchase 4 “Romex outlet boxes with romex clamps”. Also purchase 1 “Romex Octagon shaped Light box” with romex clamps installed. A romex box includes simple clips or clamps that will anchor your Romex wire in the box. Also purchase 14-2 or 12-2 WG Romex wire or cable. It comes in 50 ft, 100 ft or even 250 ft rolls. Consider adding about double to what you initially think you’ll need. I would suggest the 250 ft to begin with.
Knock out one of the tabs on each of the romex boxes so that you can slip the wire into the box.
Using a tape, mark a line on the front of each stud along the wall where you want the outlets to be anchored. Mark on the front of the stud where the switch will go too.
Using a 16d box nail and a hammer, anchor the box with two nails coming through the side of the box and into the stud. Allow 1/2″ of the box to stick out in front of the stud so that it will end up flush with the drywall, usually 1/2″.
The light box anchors into a piece of 2 x 4 installed between two joists or trusses. Align it so that it also sticks down about 1/2″ from the joist.
Run 1 piece of Romex wire from each box to the next and allow about 6 – 8″ to stick out of each box. Drill 5/8″ holes through the center of each stud with a wood bit, so the romex can fit through. Also run one wire from the light switch to the light box in the ceiling.
Run one last piece of romex wire to the “source” where this circuit will gain it’s power. This source will be the circuit breaker box probably located in the basement or garage. Run this wire all the way to the source and cut it long. Hook it up later, no now, to insure no shock. Run this source wire from the 1st outlet you installed and not the light switch.
Remove the front metal cover on the breaker box. It is typically held on by 6 screws. Be sure and use these same screws when you re-install this cover as they have rounded ends and will not puncture any wire inside the box.
Notice how the white and the copper colored wires hook together on one or both sides of the breaker which run down the center. Black wires carry the power to the circuits throughout the house.
Look for the brand name of your circuit breaker box located on the inside of the front panel. You’ll need to know this information when you purchase the breaker for your new circuit.
Normal brands include ITE, GE, or Cutler Hammer. Each brand will have a different style breaker.
You need a 110-120 volt, single pole, 15 amp for 14 gauge wire or 20 amp for 12 gauge wire.
Go back to the new outlets. Install a new 15 amp (or 20 ampl) outlet to the wires sticking out of the boxes. Remember 15 amp uses 14/2 wire and 20 amp uses 12/2 wire. You do this by simply stripping back the black and white insulation 5/8″. One additional wire should be remaining and is to be used as the ground wire and this gets anchored to the green ground screw on the outlet and usually switch.
Attach the BLACK wire to the small side opening of the outlet. These screws are normally darker colored screws. Just bend the wire around one of the two screws on that side. Follow the same procedure for the white wire located on the other side of the outlet.
Push the outlet into the metal box, aligning the two screws, one top and one bottom, screw in both. Do the same for each new outlet. When you get to the light switch, anchor the black wire on the bottom screw and the white wire on the top screw. Attach ground wire to the only remaining screw.
Install the outlet plate on each new outlet including the switch.
Install the black wire on the new breaker and hookup the white and ground wire to the appropriate screws on the breaker box and snap in the new breaker being careful not to touch anything nearby with your fingers.
Install the light fixture, add bulb and turn breaker on.
You should now have an operating light and new outlets that function.