How to Install a Breaker Center Circuit Load

Locate the spot where you will mount the outlet, then screw a surface-mount electrical outlet box onto the spot using a screwdriver. Punch the knockout on top of the box using needle-nose pliers.

Slip an electrical cable through the knockout and pull the cable from inside the box about 6 inches. Remove 4 inches of cable sheathing with diagonal pliers, then strip off 1/2 inch of insulation from the tip of each each wire with a wire stripper.

Wrap each wire clockwise around its corresponding terminal screw on the outlet in the following order: white wire (neutral) to silver terminal screw, black wire (hot) to brass terminal screw and green/bare wire to green (ground) terminal screw.

Tuck the wires into the outlet box, then screw the outlet onto the box with screws supplied with the outlet. Screw the cover plate onto the outlet. Turn off the main circuit breaker inside the electric panel. Check if there is still power in the circuits by turning on lights and appliances inside your home.

Run the electrical cable along walls, ceilings and baseboards from the outlet to the electrical panel. Use cable staples every 2 feet to attach the cable onto surfaces. Remove the electrical panel cover. Slip the cable trough an available knockout along the side of the electrical panel box, then pull the cable from inside the panel. Allow 2 feet of cable inside the panel, then cut the cable with diagonal pliers.

Remove the sheathing of the entire cable inside the panel. Plug a 120-volt circuit breaker into an empty slot in the electric panel. Route the black wire to the terminal screw on the circuit breaker then cut the wire. Route the white wire to the neutral buss bar, then cut the wire. Route the green/bare wire to the grounding bar, then cut the wire.

Strip off 1/2 inch of insulation from the tip of each cut wire, then plug each wire to its corresponding terminal screw. Tighten each screw securely, then pull on each wire to make sure there are no loose connections.

Replace the cover of the panel. Turn on the main circuit breaker, then turn on the 120-volt circuit breaker. Plug an appliance into the outlet to test the connections.