How to Install a Floor Outlet

When you find yourself unable to get electricity where you need it in your house, a floor outlet can solve this problem. Before doing any work, obtain a permit. Buy a special outlet meant for floors, as regular wall outlets can't support weight. Also buy enough cable to connect the outlet to the house's power circuit. Pick a location that's easily accessible for whatever needs to be powered. Locate the floor joists. Cut a hole for the new outlet to be placed into. Find the electrical circuit to patch the new outlet into by flipping breakers until the circuit is shut off, then connect the wiring to the outlet. Make sure your outlet is compliant with the National Electrical Code, and doesn't exceed either 1800 or 2400 watts, depending on the current.

Key Takeaways:

Floor outlets are a great way to provide electricity to parts of the home where it may not be currently available, but these floor outlets can be tricky to install.
When choosing an outlet, remember that people will be stepping on it constantly, so it needs to be durable, unlike the typical wall outlet.
Prior to the start of the job, you should contact your city's electrical inspections department in order to obtain a permit.

“Cutting in and mounting the steel outlet box is a job anyone with basic carpentry skills can handle. Connecting the power is a little trickier because it requires you to locate a suitable circuit and make electrical connections.”