How to Change a Wall Outlet to Double Outlets

Turn off power to the outlet you will be working with at the main power supply. Use a circuit tester to be sure power has been turned off.

Remove the screws holding the outlet's face plate to the outlet box. Remove the screws holding the outlet to the electrical box and pull it out. Reach inside the electrical box and feel to determine whether it is a single box or a double box. If it is a single box, loosen the screws on the outlet's side and unwrap the wires. Loosen the screws on the top and bottom edges of the electrical box and pull the box out of the wall. If it is a double box, leave the outlet and the box in place.

Hold a double electrical box flat against the wall, over the previous outlet box's opening, with the opening facing the wall. Trace around the outlet box, excluding the screw mounting tabs. Cut out the traced section of drywall, using a drywall saw. If you have a double box, cut away the drywall covering the box's other half so you can fit another outlet inside.

Place a screwdriver on the new electrical box's wire knockout hole. Tap the screwdriver's handle with a hammer to remove the knockout. Insert the new double electrical box into the hole. Feed the wiring from the first outlet through the knockout hole. Skip this step if you already have a double electrical box in the wall.

Cut two 6-inch-long pieces of white, black and bare copper 12- or 14-gauge wires, using wire cutters or strippers. The gauge you use depends on the gauge of wire coming from the power source. Strip 1/2 inch of coating from both ends of the black and white wires. Hole one end of both black wires against the end of the black wire entering the electrical box. Screw a wire nut over the three wires. Repeat with the white wires and the bare copper wires.

Loosen the screws on the sides of both electrical outlets. Bend the ends of a black, white and bare copper wire to form a hook, using pliers. Wrap the hooked ends around one of the outlet's loosened screw terminals. Tighten the screws. Repeat with the remaining black, white and bare copper wires and second outlet.

Push the wires into the electrical box. Line up the outlets' mounting screws with the electrical box's screw holes and tighten the screws to secure the outlets in place.

Put a double-terminal face plate over the outlets. Secure the face plate to the electrical box with the supplied screws. Restore power to the electrical outlets.