How to Update an Electrical Box
- 1). Disconnect the power. At the electrical service panel, locate and switch off the circuit breaker that provides power to the circuit leading to the electrical box. Be sure to check for the absence of electrical power with a circuit tester.
- 2). Test the wires in the electrical box with the circuit tester to ensure no power is present. Then remove any cables, switches and receptacles that may be in the electrical box. Be sure to label and sequentially number the individual cables in the order they are pulled so that they can be easily reconnected into the new electrical box.
- 3). Update the electrical box by securing it to the wall with the provided nails or screws. If the electrical box is in the wall, you may need to carefully cut the sheet rock that surrounds the electrical box with a sheetrock saw to remove the nails or screws that are holding the old electrical box in place. Then, after you have updated the electrical box, be sure to reconnect the cables, receptacles and/or switches back to the way they were by reconnecting them in reverse numerical order. As a precaution, you may choose to connect and test one cable connection at a time to ensure each connection is done properly. You may also need to repair the opening that was used to remove and update the electrical box with sheetrock, drywall compound material and paint.
- 4). Check your work. Be sure to check for loose cables, receptacles and switches in the updated electrical box. Also make sure the electrical box faceplate is securely screwed back on the electrical box before setting the breaker switch back on.
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