- 1). Read the NEC (National Electrical Code) or contact your local electrical inspector to learn the proper location of exterior electrical receptacles.
- 2). Measure from the closest corner, window or door opening of the residence to the desired location of the electrical box.
- 3). Move to the inside of the home, and transfer your measurement to make sure you are preparing to attach the box to an area free of wall studs. Attach the tape measure to the same landmark as you did on the exterior, and measure the same distance. Mark the correct distance on the wall. If you attached to the outside corner of the home to get your first measurement, you must deduct the thickness of the wall to properly find the same location on the interior.
- 4). Remove the plug on the back of the exterior receptacle box, and knock out two of the prefabricated mounting holes. Use a screwdriver to remove the plug. To knock out the mounting holes, set the box face down on a sturdy surface and tap the raised tabs of the mounting holes with a hammer.
- 5). Hold the box in the correct location on the exterior wall. Make sure the box is level and plumb by using a torpedo level. While holding the box in place, reach inside with a pencil or marker, and trace the circumference of each hole you made in the previous step.
- 6). Drill the appropriate size hole through the wall with a rotary or hammer drill and a properly sized masonry bit. Measure the diameter of the largest hole you traced on the wall and add approximately 3/16-inches to allow for the box connector to be added later. For the mounting holes, match the size of the drill bit to the screws that will secure the box to the wall, and drill those holes as well.
- 7). Cut a piece of 1/2-inch PVC conduit long enough to extend out one-inch from each side of the wall when inserted through the largest drilled hole.
- 8). Attach a PVC box connector to the unplugged hole in the back of the electrical box. Hand screw this in place. Clean the inside of the box connector and the end of the conduit that attaches to it, with PVC cleaner. Apply PVC glue to the box connector and the conduit. Immediately, insert the piece of PVC conduit into the box connector.
- 9). Hold the box, and insert the PVC conduit end into the largest diameter drilled hole. Make sure the box is firm against the wall and all the drilled holes line up. Place your torpedo level back on the box to be sure it is plumb and level. Using a drill and concrete screws, attach the box to the wall.
- 10
Move to the inside of the home and find where the PVC conduit is penetrating the wall. Using PVC cleaner and glue, attach a box connector to the conduit. Hand screw a 1/2-inch PVC plastic bushing onto the threaded end of the box connector.
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