Adding Receptacle
Step 1
Decide where you will be mounting the receptacle as its location determines how it will be mounted. Heavy-duty receptacles come in two varieties--wall and floor mounts. If you are installing the receptacle in an unfinished basement and will be attaching it to concrete, skip to Step 3.
Step 2
Cut a hole for the receptacle. Wall receptacle boxes do not need to be attached to studs, and can be affixed with screws or nails. Floor-mounted receptacles do not require boxes. Skip to the next section to complete the wiring.
Step 3
Attach metal conduit to the concrete wall. The conduit is a hollow tube that protects the wires running inside it. You will thread the cable through the conduit and attach the receptacle to the conduit. The conduit is only necessary where the wire touches the concrete.
Wiring the Circuit
Step 1
Run non-metallic cable from the receptacle or its box to the service panel using fish tape. Push the semi-rigid tape along the path beginning at the receptacle. Once it reaches the service panel, attach the electrical cable to the fish tape and pull it back through. Leave at least 8 inches of exposed wire at each end.
If you are running cable in an unfinished basement, simply string the wires along the ceiling joists. Thread the cable through the conduit. Attach the ends of the wire to the receptacle’s terminals.
Step 2
Turn off the power to the circuit breaker box.
Step 3
Remove the pieces of metal covering the slots for the new breaker with a screwdriver.
Step 4
Connect the black and red wires from the circuit to the two-pole breaker, then connect the neutral line to the neutral bus bar. Snap the breaker into place in the empty space in the panel.
Step 5
Restore power to the service panel.
