How can I Wire My Basement Outlets?
Maybe you want to wire your entire basement or an unfinished basement project. Wiring a basement is purely the work of an electrician, but a DIY with wiring experience can also do it.
However, you must meet National Electrical Code requirements, know the safety measures, electrical tool usage, and the normal gauge wire for outlets and light fixtures.
With that in mind, you can do all the electrical work required in basement finishing.
In this article, I will guide you on how to wire a basement outlet and light switches.
Basement electrical wiring falls into two categories:
● The rough-in electric
● The finished electric stage.
The rough-in electric stage requires installing electrical cable and drywall on the stud.
The finished electric stage involves installing the outlets, switches, and light fixtures.
Basement wiring procedures
Rough in electric stage
Gather the required tools
You will need the following tools to wire your basement.
● Screwdrivers
● Tape measure
● Electrical tape
● Wire stripper
● Utility knife
● Drill
● Marker
make sure you have all the materials needed for the installation, such as electrical boxes and wires.
Create a wiring plan
Make a wiring plan for what the installation should look like. Map out the positions for outlet boxes, switches, and bulbs.
Consider where to draw power from, either from an existing sub-panel or a new one.
To use an existing electrical panel, make sure there are enough slots for easy connections. Else, install a new sub panel.
Mark and install the metal box at the marked position
Using your tape measure and pen, mark out the spots where you will install a metal box. If there is a solid wall in the basement, cut a hole in it to install the metal box.
Install a box at every marked position and nail it to the stud.
Drill a hole in each stud
Drill 3/4" hole in the stud where you will pass the cable
Run the electrical cable through the box.
Once you are through with the metal box installation, run an electric wire between the boxes, starting with the stud holes. Make sure you consider the load before making your choice of wire.
12 gauge wires are used in outlets because they can handle larger loads, while 14 gauge wires are for light fixtures. Move on to the second phase.
Finish electric phase
Once you are through with the first stage (rough-in wiring), continue with the second phase.
This phase involves connecting the electrical components. These components include outlet receptacles for plugging electrical devices, switches, and fixtures.
You must wire these components before connecting them to the circuit breaker or power supply.
With NEC code, you may be required to place your bathroom on a dedicated circuit since it requires a ground fault circuit interrupter.
The best practice is to use a 12-gauge wire, which is 20 amps for the gfci plug.
You must complete the first and second phase of the installation before connecting to the main service panel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does wiring in the basement need to be in conduit?
Yes, NM cables on the wall of an unfinished basement need to be in conduit or tubing to protect it from total exposure.
Cables that run through the ceiling don't need a conduit.
What kind of wire should I use in my basement?
You need three types of cable to finish your basement electrical project.
● 14/2 cables: used to install light switches and bulbs
● 12/2 cable: used to install electrical outlets
● 14/3 cable: This cable is the same as 14/2, but the 14/3 cables are used to wire a 3-way switch, a switch that allows you to control light fixtures from two different locations.
Do unfinished basements require GFCI outlets?
Yes, unfinished basements are required to have a gfci outlet because they are prone to getting wet because of moisture and water leaking.
How high should outlets be in an unfinished basement?
The standard height of an outlet in the basement is 16 to 18 inches from the outlet to the floor.