What You Should Do with Crowded Electrical Boxes (DIY)
Mia Russell Step 1
Remove the old box and enlarge the opening
Family Handyman
Cut the old box loose. To remove the old small gang box, pry it away from the stud slightly to expose the nail shafts and cut them with a hacksaw. Then work the wires through the box as you pull it free of the hole.
27 Must-Know Tips for Wiring Switches and Outlets Yourself
Step 2
Install the new box
Family Handyman
Enlarge the hole to accept a new double electrical box. Fit the wires through the box as you work it into place. Then tighten the lock wings and do the final wiring.
As a general rule, a standard 18-cu.-in. box maxes out at three 14-2 cables. (The box size in cubic inches is marked on the inside of the box.) The easiest way to accommodate the fourth cable is to install a larger box. However, you should check with your electrical inspector for a permit and approval.
Stop at a home center and buy a double-gang “old work” box (also called a “remodel box”). You can install a second receptacle in the larger box and cover it with a two-receptacle cover plate. Or you can stick with a single receptacle and use a two-piece “snap together” cover plate (with one receptacle and one blank).
