In this article, we’re walking through How To Wire Outlets During A Rough In stage of new home construction. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a new apprentice, this guide explains why we do things the right way—for safety, for code, and for long-term durability.
Why We Use Metal Electrical Boxes
First off, we’re using a metal electrical box for this job. While many contractors use plastic boxes, we prefer metal, gangable boxes—and here’s why:
- After drywall is installed, customers often request additional outlets.
- With a gangable metal box, we can easily remove a side and attach an extension box.
- With welded metal or plastic boxes, we’d have to remove the entire box, causing drywall damage. That’s a no-go.
We aim for flexibility and clean, professional results.
Step-by-Step: Wiring a Rough-In Receptacle
We’ve got two 14/2 NMD (Lumex) cables coming into the box—one feed in, and one continuing to the next outlet (in and out).
1. Feed the Cables into the Box
- Use a box connector to secure the wires entering the box.
- Leave about 1 cm of sheathing above the connector.
- Don’t overtighten—just enough to prevent wire movement, but not so tight that you pinch or damage the conductor.
2. Leave a Loop at the Top
- Leave a slight loop at the top before entering the box.
- This allows for future box adjustments without straining the wire.
3. Strip the Wires
- Everyone has their own method, but we recommend using proper wire strippers (not pliers) to avoid nicking or notching the wire.
- A nicked wire could later cause hot spots or failures.
4. Ground Connections
- Terminate each ground wire under the ground screw terminals at the back of the metal box.
- Then twist all grounds together and clip the excess.
- In Canada, it’s still acceptable to twist and tuck grounds like this. Other regions may require a separate bonding method.
Hooking Wires to the Receptacle
We do not use the push-in holes on the back of receptacles. Here’s why:
“Push-ins rely on knife-blade tension and tend to loosen over time, creating hot spots and arcing.”
Instead, we:
- Form a hook on each wire using strippers (not pliers).
- Wrap each hook clockwise under the screw terminal.
- Clockwise matters—tightening the screw pulls the hook tighter.
- Tighten the terminal screw snugly—not overtightened, not loose.
Folding Wires Back Into the Box
Before mounting the outlet:
- Fold the wires in a U-shape and gently tuck them behind the device.
- This keeps excess wire out of the way and allows room for the device.
- Once the drywall is up, you simply screw the outlet in and add the cover plate.
And you’re done!
Bonus Tip: Pigtail Method
Some electricians prefer to connect the two hots and neutrals with marettes (wire nuts) and use a pigtail to the outlet.
This is also a valid method and will be covered in the next video. Stay tuned if you want to learn how to do that.
Final Thoughts
That’s how you properly install and terminate a receptacle in a new build using Canadian code-compliant techniques. Whether you’re roughing in a home or retrofitting a reno, attention to detail matters.
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