Adding an electrical socket is, with a basic knowledge of electrical work and complying with essential safety procedures, a fairly easy job.
Turn off the electricity
1. Turn off the electricity at the consumer unit; I can not stress how important this is. Using a circuit tester, check that the electricity is definitely off. Let others in the house know that you are working on the electrics; you don't want them unexpectedly turning the supply back on.
How much wire will you need?
1. Firstly decide whether it is more convenient to run the wire from your attic down into your electrical panel or along the floor and up into the panel.
2. Once you know the route of the wire, you can calculate the required length. Calculate the distance from the intended position of your new socket outlet, to your electrical panel.
3. Add an extra 50-60cm to the distance and purchase the corresponding amount of wire.
4. Ensure the wire matches the amperage and voltage of your circuit. The wire should be 2 core and earth. In the US the live/conductor wire is black, the neutral wire is white and you should have a ground/earth wire. In the UK and Europe, the live wire is brown, the neutral blue and the earth green/yellow. To avoid confusion, the instructions below refer to US standards
Connecting the socket outlet
5. Utilizing one of the holes in your electrical panel, push one end of the wire through, pulling through any excess wire.
6. Cut a hole for your new electrical socket outlet in your wall. Drill a hole inside your wall through the floor or the head plate of your wall. Run the wire through the hole and into your new mounting box; secure the mounting box into the hole with screws.
If you have a masonry wall, you will have to dig out a hole for the mounting box and chase the wire (dig out a channel) up or down the wall to the socket outlet. This can be filled and sanded on completion. A metal mounting box should be used in a masonry wall. The easiest way to dig out the hole is to mark the perimeter of the outlet, using a pencil. Starting at each of the corners, drill a hole to the required depth, drill further holes every 10mm. This will create a honeycomb effect, making it easier to remove the remaining masonry with a hammer and chisel. Make sure you wear safety goggles.
7. Connect the 3 wires to your electrical panel.
Your black wire will be connected to the breaker.
Your white wire connects to the neutral bar.
Your ground wire goes to the ground bar.
8. At the socket outlet, connect the 3 wires, ensuring they are connected correctly.
The black wire connects with the brass screw.
The white wire connects with the silver screw.
The ground wire connects with the green screw.
9. Position your socket outlet in front of your mounting box, secure with screws.
10. Turn the power back on at the consumer unit and check the power at your new outlet.
If the socket is working, replace the cover on your consumer unit and the job is complete.
This is not a difficult job as it basically involves connecting three wires at each end. It can be a dangerous job if you do not follow the correct safety procedures. So always check, and then check again, that you have turned the electricity supply off.