Converting a 2 socket outlet to a 4 socket
Sometimes a 2 socket outlet just isn’t enough for an area. Use these 7 steps for converting a 2 socket outlet to a 4 socket (single gang to double gang box).
Step 1
Step 1
First, turn off the power to the old 2 socket outlet box at the electrical panel. Remove the receptacle from the box. Disconnect the wires from the old receptacle.
Step 2a
Step 2
Mark the outline of the new double-gang box around the old area where you will remove the 2 socket box and cut out the area with a utility knife, drywall jab saw or oscillating multi-tool.
The new hole will simply be an extension of the old one, so you’ll only have to mark and cut along the top, bottom and one side (away from the stud) beyond the existing hole.
Step 2b
Remove the old 2 socket outlet single-gang box.
Feed the wires through the back of the new box and use the tabs to clamp them in place. Insert the box into the hole and use a screwdriver to tighten the screws in the corners, which will flip the “wings” on the back of the box to clamp the entire assembly securely to the drywall.
Step 3
Step 3
Cut four pigtails about 10 inches long: one black, one white and two bare copper ground wires. You can trim them to length later, if necessary. Connect them to their corresponding colored wires in the box, twisting them together with the appropriate wire nuts (three white wires together, three black wires and three ground wires).
Step 4
Step 4
Connect the stripped end of one ground wire pigtail to the green ground screw on one receptacle. Then connect the black pigtail to the gold screw (hot) and the white pigtail to the silver screw (neutral).
Step 5
Step 5
Cut two more pigtails− a black and a white− about 6 inches long and connect them to the unused screws on the other side of the first receptacle.
Connect black to brass and white to silver on both first and second receptacle.
Connect the second ground pigtail to the green ground screw on the second receptacle.
Step 6
Step 6
Dress the wires. Neatly bend the wires back into the double-gang box so you have plenty of room to insert and secure the two new receptacles.
Step 7
Mount the receptacles to their appropriate screw holes in the new gang box, making sure they are straight (plumb) and secure. Then install the receptacle cover, turn the power on and test the circuit.
