How to Add an Electrical Outlet for a Wall Mounted TV

Need to add an outlet above or below an existing outlet? This video explains how to do just that. This method does not require mudding, taping or painting. The gist of this is to run electricity from an existing outlet (by replacing the outlet with a new one) to a new outlet in the desired location. This project takes a little while but is worth doing.

Tools and supplies needed:

Optional:

[Stac]

I am a female in my 20’s and I did this project all by myself with your video. I didn’t have a reciprocating saw so I used a hack saw. Well, the hack saw was too big to fit within the square so I took off the blade and manually sawed the screws off. I would say the hardest part was trying to cram all the wires back into the gang box at the end. Haha. When I turned back on the power, I can’t believe that the outlet actually worked! Thank you!!! This probably saved me a bunch of $$ doing it myself.

[rickstarwars]

Bro, you have NO idea how awesome this video was. Electricians charging me an arm and a leg for this and I got it done in about 2 hrs and like $40 in supplies. Your video led me step by step. It was great!

Thanks!!

[rononyourleftretired]

By way of suggestions: an electrician taught me that code inspectors (CA) look for at least 3 twists on wire splices. Also, when making wire loops to go around screws, the loop must be in the same direction as the screw tightens- to the right; the loop should allow for the entire screw to be exposed to bare wire only and not insulation; the loop should wrap all of the way around the screw, but not stick beyond the screw.

[aquileggleston]

"Not a professional electrician, just a guy that likes to figure it out.."
Good stuff!!!👍🏽✊🔥

[ibrazeau]

Good video. Two things to correct 1- the upper outlet Romex wire shield/protector has to be removed flush or nearly flush to box entry (1/4" or so passed the box retaining clip) so that the wire conductors are free of it within the box. 2- there has to be a minimum of 6" of wire conductors from the wire entry of the box. The wires you have in the upper box seem too short and the shield (white wire cover) was not removed at box entry (retaining clip).

A tip - when the wires have been twisted together so as to put them in the wire nut, use cutters to clip off the most protruding wire (clip off the twisted wire ends). This will make it much easier, and a better shielding, when you put the wire nut on the wires.

[tishw]

This is by far the best video to show all of the detail for wiring the boxes together. I love how descriptive you were about everything. Thanks and keep up the good work guy thats not an electrician, but just want to get the job done. I'm highly impressed.

[patrickkirwan]

Just make a hole in the top of the existing box, push your fish tape up the wall, tie a string to it, pull it down through your existing box, use it to pull up your new wire, and then attach it to the side screws on the existing outlet (No need to remove the wires like you did). Reinstall that outlet just like it was, and then do the top part just as you did. Done in half the time, and no sheetrock damage like you had.

[FixItYerself]

5:57 That use of a Harbor Freight wood blade on nails was impressive

[codyec]

I am a electrician never use the little holes on the back of the outlet always use the screws better connection and they won’t eventually wiggle loose start to spark

[pmassee]

Thanks for the clear step by step on this with the added up close footage of what you are tying together when, how, and why. Now off to instal my brand new outlet!

[kreativekonnectionzaudioan]

I watched this video in 2016 on how to add a outlet to behind my daughters TV. I’ve took that knowledge and built a empire 💪🏾

[juliaannparisi]

omg Thanks for the awesome video. We live in my childhood (119 yrs old) home and needless to say not a lot of outlets. We are putting a wall mount on the wall for our TV and this is going to make my husband real happy, me too. And, now we will be able to add a few more in the other rooms. Thanks ever so much, Judi and Greg

[flypipers]

Nicely done !!   This is exactly what I need to do - for two new wall mounted TVs in our house. TVs are mounted but the dangling wire have to go. Thanks very much for your step x step instructions.

[michaelbehm]

I’m a finish carpenter by trade and handy around my house and friends’ houses, but electrical work is one thing I was never willing to mess around with. This video is great! Really impressed with the simplicity, camera angles and info!

[makincracksent]

Thank you!! I just watched the hiding wires video and this one and you just made my tv life so much better.

[KevinMahoney]

Thanks for this. Just what I was looking for. I really appreciated the close-ups when you reinstalled the lower outlet. I was unsure how to handle hooking all the wires back up.

[clininemills]

I've been wondering how to do something like this. Now I know. great video!! That's better than most of the kits on the market.

[AvgJoeWatchReviews]

This video was exactly what I needed. Perfect! Thank you sir.

[jscaruth]

Awesome job Nils. VERY easy to understand and I'll be tackling this over the weekend as a result. Thanks.

[jeremye]

Your video is still helping DIYers in 2022…thanks bro.