USB Electrical Outlet Install

​​text by Vicki     ​Sign up to get Mother Daughter Projects updates in your email!

​Steph, being more technically minded than myself, installed a very handy USB port on her kitchen counter shortly after moving into her house. Despite remodeling a few years ago, I didn’t see the need to have one installed.

Well, fast forward four years and I now see the need to have one! In this video, we install a USB outlet at my kitchen counter. With an installed USB port all I need now is the USB cable to charge my phone. I love that the port is at counter top height rather than the normal electrical outlet height. Not really a problem for me now, but as I age, it could be. 

Materials/Tools

• USB outlet (we chose one in a black finish to match existing outlets)
• Electric Voltage Tester
• Wire cutter
• Screwdriver

• Familiarize yourself with the installation by reading the instructions included with your new USB outlet

• TURN OFF POWER TO THE OUTLET from the circuit box 
• Using your voltage tester, check again to be sure power is OFF

• Unscrew the old outlet and unscrew the wire connectors

• We cut off the old section of wire with wire cutters

• We used wire strippers to remove a new section of insulation and expose the wire

• We connected the two black (hot) wires to the brass terminal and the two white wires to the silver (your setup might be different depending on how many wires you have)

• We tightened the screws and attached the ground wire

• We screwed the outlet in place and added the front plate and turned the power back on. Now two USB devices can be charged in this outlet!

Tip- if the outlet you replaced is still good keep it in case another outlet needs replacing.

This is a very do-able DIY for even a novice DIYer. It only takes a few tools and a minimum of skill. Just remember, TURN OFF THE POWER, before attempting any electrical work. You will love the convenience of having a counter height USB port to charge your devices. You could even add a cute basket nearby as a phone drop for visiting guests where they can stow their phones and keys and charge them if needed. 

Please note: We are not sponsored by any of the companies/products that we used. These products were picked and bought by us.

FYI: We are not professionals, and we don’t claim to be. This is what we found worked for our project. Yours may need a little different approach. Safety first!

FYI: Affiliate links are being used on this page. Purchasing via these links help support MDP!

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