Splitting electrical outlets

[mexirican]

So the wife and I bought our first house about a year ago. One of the only things I hate about the house is that there are no power outlets in the back yard. I have 2 patios yet I have to run an extension cord from inside the house to power anything outside. My solution is to split the electrical outlets that are inside the house in half, and run them outside too. 2 of the outlets I want to split for the big patio I have never used, so I’m not worried about plugging too many things in the circuit at once. The other I only have my cell phone charger plugged into. And for the small patio, more of the same. What is the proper way to split the outlets? I’m looking to do this the right way to avoid problems in the future. I hate doing the same projects over and over.

Thanks

 

[pattenp]

I'm not sure what you mean by split. Are you thinking of extending the circuit from existing outlets inside the house to the outside? Are you thinking of placing the outside outlets in the wall of the house or out in the patio area away from the house?

 

[larry_g]

I would suggest that you get a simplified house wiring book from the home depot or lowes and follow the guide. It is perty simple to do what you want but it has to be done correctly and outdoor receptacles have to be GFI'ed. You also need to check how many items are on the circuit you want to tap into. There could be many receptacles and lights on the circuit with that unused receptacle. To do this plug a lamp or radio into unused recepticle and then turn off the breakers till you get to the one that shuts off the lamp/radio. Then check to see what other items/recp's are also dead. That is what is on the breaker with the unused recp.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[mexirican]

Pattenp - I want to extend the circuit from existing outlets inside the house to the outside walls.

Larry g - I'll have to go to home Depot to get that book. I already know what's in that particular circuit. The breaker box wasn’t marked at all so that was the first thing I did when we moved into the house. I have a diagram of everything that is running out of each breaker.

 

[pattenp]

In that case you can just run wire from the existing outlets to the location of the new outlet. The outlet that you are tapping into may be a cheap outlet and it may be best to replace it with a better quality outlet that has screw clamping connections instead of the typical push in type connections. Make sure you use GFCI outlets outside with a weather proof cover.

Notice that the better outlet has multiple connectors for tapping.

Pattenp - I want to extend the circuit from existing outlets inside the house to the outside walls.

Larry g - I'll have to go to home Depot to get that book. I already know what's in that particular circuit. The breaker box wasn’t marked at all so that was the first thing I did when we moved into the house. I have a diagram of everything that is running out of each breaker.

 

[mexirican]

The outlets outside are under a patio. They will never get wet. Would I still have to get outlets with covers?

 

[IHI]

The outlets outside are under a patio. They will never get wet. Would I still have to get outlets with covers?

first post and now this....call a sparky

 

[pattenp]

That's considered a wet location and the outlet needs to be in a weather proof enclosure.

The outlets outside are under a patio. They will never get wet. Would I still have to get outlets with covers?

 

[mexirican]

IHI - Thank you for your help. Your insight is immeasurable.

Pattenp - I'll do exactly that.

 

[pattenp]

I guess considering an outside location in Mesa AZ as wet is kinda funny.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I guess considering an outside location in Mesa AZ as wet is kinda funny.

And thats the punch line folks! Can i get a drum beat, please....