How to Install a 110v Wall Outlet

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When wiring for 110v it is generally acceptable to run 14/2 Romex wire on a 15Amp Circuit. 14/2 Romex actually consists of 3 wires. 1 black (hot), 1 white (common) 1 bare (ground).

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In this example I will outline the basics for installing a 110 volt receptacle in a garage or shop. This article is written assuming that the interior walls are not finished with drywall and that you can easily work inside the walls. If you have drywall, there are a few different steps involved in your installation, like making a few holes in the drywall and running the Romex inside the walls and then having to patch up the holes.

For this installation you will need the following:

1 – Receptacle (115v)
1 – Length of Romex 14/2
1 – Single “gang” Electrical Box
1 – Hammer
1 – Bag of Staples
1 – Pair of Wire Cutters
1 – Wire Stripper
1 – Standard Screwdriver
1 – 15amp Breaker
1 – Drill w/Phillips Bit
2 – Phillips Head Wood Screws
1 – Romex Box Clamp

Okay, all the preparatory stuff being done, let us get to the beginning of the installation. I really like to start where I want the outlets and work my way back to the power source from there.

Begin by deciding where on the wall to mount the box. You may opt go with the standard height of 18” above the floor (especially if this is an “in home” installation) or if you are working in a shop or garage you may decide you want to mount some outlets in the ceiling for shop lights and some more outlets about chest high for access near a work bench or under cabinetry.

Let’s remove one of the knock outs from your receptacle box and install the Romex clamp and shove about 6” of Romex into the box and clamp it in place. Go ahead and connect and install the receptacle to the box.

Now mount your metal receptacle box to one of the wall studs using your drill and wood screws. Or if you opted for a cheapie plastic box with nails, nail it in place. Just be sure which ever you used that you attach it with the edge protruding about ¼” - ½” so if you ever do drywall you won’t be stuck with sunken in electrical outlets.

Next determine the route for your wires. I routed mine up the stud and drilled a hole through the top sill. Then I drilled and routed it through several rafters to make it over to the breaker box. Aside from the portion of wire that was run through the rafters, the rest of the Romex was secured with nail in staples spaced about 12-18” apart. Do your best to route the Romex wire along the center of the 2x4 studs.

Important Installation Tips:
When installing receptacles in your garage or shop, always install them with the ground facing up. (see fig 1) By following this practice you are making your installation safer from potentially being shorted out by cords or other items falling on top of a loose plug and shorting out the prongs. It should also be noted that the minimum height from the floor for an outlet is 18 inches.

Electrical Outlet (Figure1)

Once you have routed the wires to your breaker box you may have to punch out a “knock-out” blank from the box to allow your wire to come in to it. Install another Romex clamp at the box and route your wires through it. You will want to be sure to be very careful when working in your box as you don’t want to accidently touch any live wires.

Remove the breaker that will be protecting this new circuit and attach the black wire to it’s terminal. Next route the ground wire and white wire to the bus bar. Now, snap the breaker back into the panel and reinstall the interior panel cover. Next turn on the breaker and using a volt meter text the newly wired receptacle. If you get a normal reading of approximately 115v you are done. Close up the breaker box, install an outlet cover and call it a day!


Gonna try to install 220v? Wanna know how?

Wire a 220 volt Circuit

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