How to Install a Metal Outlet
- 1). Turn off the circuit breaker at the breaker box for the cable to which you are going to fasten the new metal box. Draw an outline of the metal box on the drywall with a pencil. Verify that the opening for the box is next to a wood stud. Cut out the opening for the box with a drywall saw.
- 2). Run the electrical cable through the wall and out through the opening you made. Feed the cable through the hole in the back of the metal outlet box. Fit the box into the opening in the drywall, pulling the cable through the box to give it room.
- 3). Fasten the metal box to a wood stud behind the drywall. Use a hammer to drive nails through the inside of the box.
- 4). Attach the wires from the electrical cable to the outlet's terminal screws. The bare copper wire attaches to the green terminal screw; the black wire attaches to the brass screw; the white wire attaches to the silver screw. Tighten all wires with the screwdriver. Fit the wires and electrical outlet into the metal box.
- 5). Secure the electrical outlet to the metal box with screws. Screw the cover plate onto the metal box. Turn on the circuit breaker for the electrical outlet.