What’s the Best Way to Run Power Outside?

More than 1,400 billion kWh of residential home electricity was used in 2019 in the United States.

Many people use outdoor electricity to light up backyard patios. This electricity can also be used for heating, cooling, and entertaining.

So how can you get outdoor electricity for your home?

Continue reading to discover the easiest and best way to install outdoor electrical sockets.

1. Prep for the Job

The first thing that you must do before installing outdoor electrical boxes, is to prep for the task and make your plans.

You should identify where you want the box to be located. Most people recommend doing this in a place that will go through the basement or crawl space. This makes the installation easier and you don’t have to worry about patching up holes inside the home.

After you have selected your spot, you will have to drill a hole to mark the location. You will also need a reciprocating or keyhole saw to cut the hole in the wall for the box.

It is recommended that you wear glasses to prevent material from going into your eyes. Work gloves are also a good idea to wear for your protection.

2. Install Your Electrical Box

Once you have all the details taken care of and have a hole that is the size of the electrical box, you can install it.

Before doing anything with the electricity, you should turn it off to prevent injury.

To install your box, you will need to run a cable through the hole and into the remodel box. Then you can insert the box. If you are using PVC, you must add an extension ring and terminal adapter.

3. Run Conduit Pipe

Now that you have your box within the wall, you can dig a trench that meets your local safety codes.

You should call your energy providers to find out how far down your pipe must go. Many people use either PVC or a rigid metal conduit to connect to the box. At the bottom of the pipe, you will also need to attach a PVC sweep.

Next, you will need to cut the pipe to ensure that it fits and anchor it down with conduit straps.

If you are concerned about water getting into the metal conduit, you can use conduit threaded fittings to ensure that none will leak through.

4. Take Care of Wires

If everything is secured in its place and accurate, you can start working on the wires.

You will need to get your new socket to do this step. Your black and white wires should be stripped and connected from the power source to the LINE terminals of the socket. You can run your cables through and then connect them to the LOAD terminals that it is GFCI-protected.

After all of this is done, you can connect to the power source.

5. Cover It up

Before covering up and protecting your new electrical socket, you will want to overlook all of your work to ensure that it was done properly.

If everything is looking the way it should, you can install an outdoor electrical cover. This cover typically looks like a small box that can lift up and down. Installing this cover is important because it protects your cord and socket from moisture.

Depending on the style of your house, you can find socket covers that match or blend in. You can also get covers that aren’t as bulky and square.

6. Go Solar

Even if you don’t run your house just with solar power, it can still help lower your bills.

To install solar electricity you must do your research to learn what size your solar system must be. You will also need to buy all of the materials like solar panels, racking, and inverters. After you have all of this you will install the racking (or mounts) to put the panels on.

Connect your panels with your racking and then you can install the solar inverter.

Solar energy is clean and utilizes natural resources to provide power. You can check out https://PoweredPortableSolar.com for more information. Many states and local governments are encouraging solar power and may help you cover expenses for the project to be done.

7. Get Duel Receptacles

If you are wanting to, or have the option to, install a socket in the same spot as another socket inside the home, it is an excellent option!

You will follow many of the steps above, but instead, you will need a back-to-back socket receptacle. You must shut off all of your power and drill/ cut a hole on the outside of your home.

The tricky part about this is matching up your holes on the outside and in the inside. Once the holes match, you can take out the old socket and replace it with a double-sided one.

Make sure that you have all of your tools nearby to assist you with the job.

Install Your Outdoor Electrical Sockets Today

Have you ever been to a friend’s house that had outdoor electrical sockets to use for watching TV and putting up unique lighting?

Many people are beginning to install electricity outside so that they can spend more time on the patio. By utilizing this guide, you can quickly learn how to put an electrical box outside.

It is important, however, that you are careful during the installation process, to avoid getting shocked. Turning off all of your electricity can ensure that you don’t get hurt. It is always better to be safe rather than sorry.

Be sure to come back to our blog for more articles about home improvement and how you can spend time outside!

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