Introduction
The easiest way to bring power to the outside of your house is to install a receptacle directly opposite an existing interior receptacle. If you need to place the outdoor receptacle elsewhere, see Running Cable in Finished Space, Related Projects for ideas on fishing the cable. Be sure that the interior receptacle box you choose has room for new wires. Check that you will not be overloading the circuit (see Planning Major Circuits, Related Projects). Codes usually require a GFCI receptacle with a weatherproof cover plate with a spring-loaded door.
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1. Drill a hole to the outside
NOTE: Be sure to shut off the power. Remove the face plate and the interior outlet. To accurately locate your new receptacle, punch out a knockout hole in the back of the box, and drill a hole through the house to the outside. To make sure you have room for a box on each side (the wall may not be thick enough), drill off to the side.
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Drilling to the outside
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2. Cut the exterior opening
Find the hole on the outside of your house, and draw an outline of the new box (see Installing Boxes in Finished Space, Related Projects). Drill a hole at each corner of the box, and cut out with a jigsaw. If you have a masonry exterior, drill a series of closely spaced holes with a masonry bit. Knock out the hole with a cold chisel and hammer.
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Cutting the exterior opening
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3. Connect the cable
Cut a piece of cable long enough to allow you working room. Connect it to the interior box--you will need a helper to reach through the exterior hole and hold the locknut in position while you tighten the locknut. Connect cable to the exterior box, too.
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Connecting the cable
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4. Make the electrical connections
With the box pushed into place, strip the sheathing and the ends of the wires, and make connections on both ends of the cable (see Working With Wire, Related Projects). Be sure to connect to the "line" terminals on the GFCI receptacle and the load terminals on the existing interior receptacle.
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Making connections
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5. Install the box and cover
Attach the box firmly in place. With a masonry wall, insert screws into the back of the box and attach them to a framing member, or mortar the box in place. Fasten the GFCI receptacle to the box. Finally, attach the gasket and weatherproof cover plate.
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Installing the box and cover
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