Interactive diagram
Outlet Wiring at the End of a Run
The last outlet on a circuit has only one cable: black to a brass screw, white to a silver screw and bare copper to green. The other two screws stay unused.
Tool
Interactive outlet wiring diagramThree steps: pick your setup, flip the switches, wire it
Step 1 of 3
Which setup do you have?
Look in the box with the breaker off: what matters is where the power cable comes in. Pick the one that matches, or keep the one already selected.
- End of run (one cable)Power → outlet
- Middle of run (pigtails)Power → outlet → next outlet
- Half-switched outlet (split)Power → switch → split outlet
Step 2 of 3
Follow the power
Glowing wires are carrying power right now. On a small screen, scroll the diagram sideways.
- Black: hot
- White: neutral
- Red: hot / traveler
- White + black tape: hot
- Bare copper: ground
- Wire nut
- Glow: carrying power now
Black to brass, white to silver, ground to green. The wider slot on the face is neutral.
Step 3 of 3
Wire it box by box
Safety first. Turn off the breaker and confirm the power is off with a non-contact voltage tester before touching any wire. Follow your local electrical code; some areas require a licensed electrician or a permit. If you find aluminum wiring, cloth-covered wiring, scorched insulation or more than one circuit in a box, stop and call an electrician.
Outlet box
Other outlet setups
- Outlet Wiring in the Middle of a Run With Pigtails
- Half-Switched Outlet Wiring (Split Receptacle)
- Electrical outlet wiring diagram: full guide
What you need
- Tamper-resistant outlets (10 pack)15 A TR duplex receptacles with screw terminals.Check price
- Outlet testerShows open ground, reversed polarity and other faults.Check price
- Non-contact voltage testerConfirms the power is really off before you touch a wire.Check price
- Lever wire connectorsFaster and more forgiving than twist-on wire nuts for pigtails and splices.Check price
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