Interactive diagram

Outlet Wiring in the Middle of a Run With Pigtails

Two cables enter the box: one from the power source and one to the next outlet. Splice each color with a pigtail to the outlet so the circuit continues even if this outlet is disconnected.

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.

Step 2 of 3

Follow the power

Glowing wires are carrying power right now. On a small screen, scroll the diagram sideways.

Show power flow

Black: hot
White: neutral
Red: hot / traveler
White + black tape: hot
Bare copper: ground
Wire nut
Glow: carrying power now

Pigtails keep the downstream outlets powered even if this outlet fails or is removed. They are required for shared neutrals of multiwire circuits.

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

Grounds: join the bare copper wire in the 14/2 cable bringing power in, the bare copper wire in the 14/2 cable to next outlet box and a short bare copper pigtail to the outlet’s green ground screw under one wire nut.
Hot splice: join the black wire in the 14/2 cable bringing power in, the black wire in the 14/2 cable to next outlet box and a short black pigtail to the outlet’s top brass screw under one wire nut.
Neutral splice: join the white wire in the 14/2 cable bringing power in, the white wire in the 14/2 cable to next outlet box and a short white pigtail to the outlet’s top silver screw under one wire nut.

Next outlet box

Next outlet, top brass screw → the black wire in the 14/2 cable to outlet box.
Next outlet, top silver screw → the white wire in the 14/2 cable to outlet box.
Next outlet, green ground screw → the bare copper wire in the 14/2 cable to outlet box.

Other outlet setups

What you need

Tamper-resistant outlets (10 pack)15 A TR duplex receptacles with screw terminals.
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Outlet testerShows open ground, reversed polarity and other faults.
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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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Outlet Wiring in the Middle of a Run With Pigtails

Which setup do you have?

Follow the power

Wire it box by box

Outlet box

Next outlet box

Other outlet setups

What you need

More wiring tools