Life Anybody here an electrician?

KevB · 03-10-2013, 10:21 AM

Have to install a couple of new outlets in my house, looking for somebody to do the work. I'll do some handy man stuff around the house, but generally try to stay away from electrical work.

**Dave Lane** · 03-10-2013, 10:28 AM

Might give Phil a call.

deltachief · 03-10-2013, 10:30 AM

If it is just a couple of outlets you can do it yourself and save a lot of money

A Salt Weapon · 03-10-2013, 10:52 AM

Just replacing old outlets to new, or installing new ones completely?

Replacing is so easy you should throw away your man card if you hire someone.

Installing new ones is pretty easy too. Just figure out if your breaker can handle the increased load and run some ROMEX between. Turn off the breaker, verify that the power is off, and match the wires up and you're done.

If the current box is too congested, add a second one and use one for the junction and the other for the outlet.
Posted via Mobile Device

**Lumpy** · 03-10-2013, 11:01 AM

I have about 20 new outlets to install this spring, too. It's really not that much of a pain in the ass, but just make sure your wires are connected correctly. The people that lived in our house didn't do that and we have a few outlets that are "scary".

Anyway, whether you do it yourself or hire an electrician, (which may or may not charge you out the ass), I would suggest buying one of these...

It's a GFCI Outlet Tester and they're cheap.

You can test all of your outlets beforehand to see if there are any other outlets that need replacing. Then you can test the new ones to make sure that they were wired correctly.

**Bugeater** · 03-10-2013, 11:03 AM

Black to brass, white to silver. That's all you really need to know.

**bevischief** · 03-10-2013, 11:44 AM

Just be sure you are standing in a bucket of water while this work.

KevB · 03-10-2013, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A Salt Weapon

Just replacing old outlets to new, or installing new ones completely?

Replacing is so easy you should throw away your man card if you hire someone.

Installing new ones is pretty easy too. Just figure out if your breaker can handle the increased load and run some ROMEX between. Turn off the breaker, verify that the power is off, and match the wires up and you're done.

If the current box is too congested, add a second one and use one for the junction and the other for the outlet.
Posted via Mobile Device

Two new outlets....replacing is simple, done that a number of times. Need to run a new outlet into a closet on the main floor, and add one in the basement.

A Salt Weapon · 03-10-2013, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Black to brass, white to silver. That's all you really need to know.

Unless he buys an outlet with a brass ground screw, :-).
Posted via Mobile Device

**Bugeater** · 03-10-2013, 11:50 AM

If the closet has a ceiling light fixture you could just change it out to one of those ceramic pull-chain fixtures that has an outlet built into it.

**Bugeater** · 03-10-2013, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A Salt Weapon

Unless he buys an outlet with a brass ground screw, :-).
Posted via Mobile Device

Well I'm working on the assumption that he has a brain and can tell which one is the ground.

A Salt Weapon · 03-10-2013, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevB

Two new outlets....replacing is simple, done that a number of times. Need to run a new outlet into a closet on the main floor, and add one in the basement.

Adding one won't really hurt the breaker, I'd just splice off the closest outlet and save yourself some cash. You can be done in an afternoon.
Posted via Mobile Device

KevB · 03-10-2013, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

If the closet has a ceiling light fixture you could just change it out to one of those ceramic pull-chain fixtures that has an outlet built into it.

Nope, just a relatively small coat closet with no light unfortunately. Turned it into a closet/office. Putting printer and router in that space, so need power.

**Bugeater** · 03-10-2013, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevB

Nope, just a relatively small coat closet with no light unfortunately. Turned it into a closet/office. Putting printer and router in that space, so need power.

Ah that's a bummer. If you're talking about fishing a bunch of wiring through walls you definitely need someone who knows what they're doing.

**Lumpy** · 03-10-2013, 12:07 PM

I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking that you were just replacing a few outlets.

Running wires and all that crap... yep, hire an electrician.

03-10-2013, 10:21 AM
KevB Agree to Disagree Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: The State of Euphoria Casino cash: $10026612	Anybody here an electrician? Have to install a couple of new outlets in my house, looking for somebody to do the work. I'll do some handy man stuff around the house, but generally try to stay away from electrical work.
Posts: 14,446

03-10-2013, 10:28 AM	#2
Dave Lane Space Cadet and Aczabel Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kanab, UT, USA Casino cash: $9333275 VARSITY	Might give Phil a call. __________________ Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about RICO, espionage, sedition, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more.
Posts: 40,584

03-10-2013, 10:30 AM	#3
deltachief Rookie Join Date: Jan 2010 Casino cash: $9945634	If it is just a couple of outlets you can do it yourself and save a lot of money
Posts: 22

03-10-2013, 10:52 AM	#4
A Salt Weapon Rookie Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Alaska Casino cash: $2783539	Just replacing old outlets to new, or installing new ones completely? Replacing is so easy you should throw away your man card if you hire someone. Installing new ones is pretty easy too. Just figure out if your breaker can handle the increased load and run some ROMEX between. Turn off the breaker, verify that the power is off, and match the wires up and you're done. If the current box is too congested, add a second one and use one for the junction and the other for the outlet. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 1

03-10-2013, 11:01 AM	#5
Lumpy Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: On a yellow brick road. Casino cash: $9454900	I have about 20 new outlets to install this spring, too. It's really not that much of a pain in the ass, but just make sure your wires are connected correctly. The people that lived in our house didn't do that and we have a few outlets that are "scary". Anyway, whether you do it yourself or hire an electrician, (which may or may not charge you out the ass), I would suggest buying one of these... It's a GFCI Outlet Tester and they're cheap. You can test all of your outlets beforehand to see if there are any other outlets that need replacing. Then you can test the new ones to make sure that they were wired correctly.
Posts: 8,901

03-10-2013, 11:03 AM	#6
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6252680	Black to brass, white to silver. That's all you really need to know.
Posts: 70,443

03-10-2013, 11:44 AM	#7
bevischief .... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somewhere Kansas Casino cash: $8659352 VARSITY	Just be sure you are standing in a bucket of water while this work.
Posts: 27,731

03-10-2013, 11:50 AM	#10
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6252680	If the closet has a ceiling light fixture you could just change it out to one of those ceramic pull-chain fixtures that has an outlet built into it.
Posts: 70,443

03-10-2013, 12:07 PM	#15
Lumpy Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: On a yellow brick road. Casino cash: $9454900	I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking that you were just replacing a few outlets. Running wires and all that crap... yep, hire an electrician.
Posts: 8,901