How to Install an Electrical Receptacle on a Kitchen Island | Ask This Old House

In this video This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman solves a problem for a homeowner by adding an outlet to her new kitchen island.

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Master electrician Heath Eastman takes us to a house call. A homeowner explains that despite her relatively recent kitchen renovation, she has no outlets on her kitchen island. After discovering that the previous electrician did run wires to the island, Heath tracks them down and gets to work.

Difficulty: 3/5
Time: 3 hours
Cost: Under $100

Where to find it?
Heath installs a receptacle to a kitchen island without an existing receptacle. He explains at least one receptacle is necessary for any island or peninsular countertop to be to code.

After turning off the power by flipping the switch on the main breaker, Heath uses a Non-contact voltage tester pen to ensure the wires aren’t live. He suggests using painter’s tape and the electrical box to create a guide to cut into the cabinetry with an oscillating multitool. Next, he uses a level to check that the electrical box is perfectly vertical. Heath uses a hand drill to screw the electrical box into place before removing the knockouts. Once the knockouts have been removed, he runs wires through the box and connects the corresponding wires leading from the outlet. Restore power after replacing the receptacle cover.

National Electrical Code 210.52(C)(2) Island and Peninsular Countertops and Work Surfaces
* One receptacle needed for first 9 square feet
* Another receptacle needed for the next 18 square feet
* A third receptacle needed for the remaining 18 square feet

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Materials:
Painter’s tape [https://amzn.to/3z1qMQv]
Metal electrical box [https://amzn.to/3z03Elj]
Metal-clad wire (BX) [https://amzn.to/3RukS19]
Cable connectors [https://amzn.to/3cc38rv]
Cable bushings [https://amzn.to/3z0DXB2]
Wire nuts [https://amzn.to/3uLPrFZ]
Outlet [https://amzn.to/3P4KC2F]
Outlet cover [https://amzn.to/3INgsyR]

Tools:
Screwdriver [https://amzn.to/3Ivz4TM]
Non-contact voltage tester pen [https://amzn.to/3c2Ghyl]
Electrical multimeter [https://amzn.to/3uIIWUs]
Electrical toner (optional) [https://amzn.to/3RtsD7K]
GFCI receptacle tester [https://amzn.to/3PodOS8]
Tape measure [https://amzn.to/3P6CKOc]
Pencil [https://amzn.to/3yDbQ9A]
Torpedo level [https://amzn.to/3IwUhfQ]
Power drill and bit [https://amzn.to/3O3rWz8]
Oscillating multitool [https://amzn.to/3nYAJaY]
BX cable cutter [https://amzn.to/3z1QdBu]
Needle nose pliers [https://amzn.to/3nXpKyv]
Wire strippers [https://amzn.to/3uKd2Hf]
Lineman’s pliers [https://amzn.to/3z2qNDO]

About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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How to Install an Electrical Receptacle on a Kitchen Island | Ask This Old House
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