How do you extend an outlet in the backyard?
Question:So I got 12 gauge Romex wiring for my outlet. I want to extend the location of an outlet previously on a wall outside the house. This outlet has two blacks coming out of it (power wires, one for each outlet), and two whites, along with one ground. Now with these wires, I'm taking one of the black wires and connecting it to a switch, and from the switch comes another black wire which extends to the location I want the new outlet to be for. As for the white wire, it will connect to the white wire of the extension and travel with its black wire along to the location of the new outlet. Yet now the problem is, the switch is only connected to one of the plugs in the outlet. I am still left with a black and white (for the other plug of the outlet) which I do not want to waste. We still want to leave a plug for other purposes. What can I do with the remaining black and white wires? Can I use them to create another outlet somewhere else? If I did, what would I do with the grounds?
Answers:
No you cannot make another outlet. You will be spreading the electricity out to much and you will get variable usage. That means sometime the outlet will work and other it wont. So I would just run the wire to the same outlet as the switch. That way you get enough power to your outlet. Remember to use a metal J-Box with wire nuts to extend your current outlet location. Fire safety is a must. Then do just like you said, wire up the switch and the new outlet. the reason only one side of the outlet is hooked up to the switch is because this is standard practice, They are called half hot outlets, which means half is always hot and the other is connected to the switch. I hope this helps you. Good Luck!
you'll have to pig tail it to get it to work both ways.
Seriously...call an electrician...it sounds like you could just pigtail out your hot wires and neutrals for the outlet. If you don't do that you will lose power somewhere.
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