Add an Outdoor Outlet

dylanmitchell · Oct 15, 2020

What wiring and wire nuts do I need to make a pigtail for connecting an existing outlet to a new outlet? Adding an outdoor outlet on the same stud cavity and just behind the existing indoor outlet. Need about 12 inches or wiring to connect to the outlet. Will drill hole through exterior stucco, exterior mount a weatherproof 1 gang box, 15 amp damp rated GFCI, and in-use cover it's the TayMac kit MKG420CS kit.

Connecting new outlet to 15 amp outlet in a bedroom and I can see if it's using 12 or 14 gauge wiring when I open it up. Everything here is solid strand so I'll need either 12 or 14 gauge solid strand wire. What's the best wire to use? I can get stranded Black/White/Green CU THHN Tri-Wire or Southwire Stranded White Copper THHN Wire by the foot or by the role and wire nuts at the local stores.

I always make sure power is off when working and verify with a non-contact voltage detector and multi-meter and have the various hand tools the side cutter, wire strippers, screwdrivers, hammer drill and bits, stud finder, etcetera.

Thanks.

jbfan · Oct 15, 2020

Use what ever size wire that feeds that receptacle. You must use a cable, and can not use individual wires..
Depending on the number of wires in the receptacles, yellow or red wire nuts.

huesmann · Oct 15, 2020

jbfan said:
Use what ever size wire that feeds that receptacle. You must use a cable, and can not use individual wires..

May the OP not run conduit with single strand?

OP, where do you live that you can't get bog-standard romex?

joed · Oct 15, 2020

If the breaker is 15 amp you can use #14. If the breaker is 20 amp you must use #12.

Old Thomas · Oct 15, 2020

Are you running the wires in conduit? If not, individual THHN/THWN are not the right wire to use. With no conduit use type NM (Romex).

anyacolo · Oct 15, 2020

use X/2 romex

X will be determined by the breaker size

15A....X=14
20A....X=12

bob22 · Oct 15, 2020

only 12" and that would be hard to do

Big box stores sell NM by the foot.

ront02769 · Oct 17, 2020

If your existing outlet is duplex and end of a run, just use the extra lugs on the outlet, no wire nuts Required On either end. If there already two cables( assuming Romex)) in that outlet box, And is just standard, not deep, and they are #12 you could be hard pressed to fit another cable Plus the three red wire nuts for the connections in....as #12 is hard to work with. There could also be Allowable box fill Issues that can be figured out when you pull the existing receptions out and have a look

Add an Outdoor Outlet

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