Quck answer
To install an electric outlet in a concrete floor, follow these steps:
1. Choose the location: Determine where you want the outlet to be placed. Consider accessibility and proximity to electrical wiring.
2. Prepare the floor: Use a hammer and chisel to create a trench in the concrete floor. Make sure it is wide enough to accommodate the electrical conduit.
3. Install the conduit: Place the electrical conduit in the trench and secure it with concrete adhesive. Ensure it is level and straight.
4. Run the wiring: Feed the electrical wiring through the conduit, ensuring it is properly insulated and meets local electrical codes.
5. Connect the outlet: Install an electrical box in the concrete floor and connect the wiring to the outlet. Secure the outlet in place.
6. Test the outlet: Turn on the power and use a voltage tester to ensure the outlet is functioning correctly.
By following these steps, you can successfully install an electric outlet in a concrete floor.
To avoid the need for extension cords, which can be cumbersome and should only be used temporarily, installing a floor outlet is a practical solution. A floor-mount electrical box is placed below the surface of the floor, making the outlet easily accessible and inconspicuous. While installing a floor outlet on a wooden subfloor is relatively straightforward, it can be more challenging on a concrete subfloor.
It is ideal to install the electrical box and conduit for a floor outlet during the concrete pouring process. However, if you need to install an outlet on an existing concrete slab, you will need to create a hole for the electrical box and a trench for the cable in the slab. While it may seem easier to install a surface-mount box and cover the wires with a raceway, finding an impactproof and waterproof electrical box can be difficult. Additionally, a flush-mount floor box is safer and approved. Therefore, it is recommended to use concrete tools to cut and install a flush-mount floor box.
Materials Needed:
Before starting the installation process, gather the following materials:
- An electrical box designed for concrete encasement (Leviton’s PVC box is highly recommended)
- Additional parts: leveling ring and cover plate (purchased separately)
- 3/4- or 1-inch PVC conduit (enough to reach the power source wall)
- PVC cement
- 12-gauge UF-B electrical cable rated for underground installation
- Tamperproof receptacle
Installation Steps for the Electrical Box and Conduit:
Follow these steps to install the electrical box and conduit:
- Determine the necessary depth for the electrical box hole. Leviton’s box can be customized to the desired height, so the hole does not need to go through the entire slab.
- Mark the outlet location and use a concrete-cutting saw with a dry-cut diamond blade to cut strips approximately 2 to 3 inches deep and 1/2 inch apart. These strips should have a total width of around 2 inches.
- Break off the concrete strips using a cold chisel and hammer to create the trench for the conduit.
- Return to the beginning of the trench and widen it using a saw or cold chisel until there is enough space for the electrical box.
- Refer to the instructions provided with the electrical box. It will have leveling pegs that elevate it off the bottom of the hole, allowing fresh concrete to flow underneath.
- Using PVC cement, attach the conduit to the access port of the electrical box. Then, route the conduit into the wall and install an upward-facing elbow, which will serve as an entry point for the electrical cable.
- Trim the electrical box flush with the floor using a hand saw or oscillating tool. Next, install the leveling ring according to the product’s instructions.
- Once the concrete has hardened, backfill the hole and trench with fresh concrete. Finally, trim the electrical box flush with the floor.
Establishing the Electrical Connections
Insert enough electrical cable into the conduit to ensure there is ample slack at the box for connecting the receptacle. Identify a power source (which could be another outlet), deactivate the breaker for that circuit, and attach the cable to it. Make sure to secure the cable to the wall studs using staples.
When installing the new outlet, it may be necessary to remove the metal tabs on the ends to ensure a proper fit. The leveling ring features a push-on grounding connector, so insert the ground wire from the power cable into the appropriate slot and push it in. Wire the outlet in the same manner as any other outlet — connect the black wire to a brass terminal and the white wire to the corresponding chrome terminal — then screw the outlet onto the box. Conclude by installing a moistureproof gasket and cover plate according to the instructions provided with the cover plate. Finally, activate the power and test the outlet.
