How to Wire an Electric Garage Door Opener

Lead Image for How to Wire an Electric Garage Door Opener
  • 2-4 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 300-500
What You'll Need
Step Ladder
Insulated Electrical Wire
Conduit
Electrical Box
Electrical outlet
Screwdriver
Wire Connectors
Wire Stripper
What You'll Need
Step Ladder
Insulated Electrical Wire
Conduit
Electrical Box
Electrical outlet
Screwdriver
Wire Connectors
Wire Stripper

While installing an electric garage door opener is a fairly easy task, it does require a little bit of wiring. Usually, when installing a garage door opener there is not going to be an electrical outlet nearby. You will need to install a new outlet near the opener in order to plug the cord in for its operation. Wiring the electric garage door opener is not a difficult project for a DIY homeowner. All you need is some basic tools and a length of insulated wire.

Step 1: Turn Power Off

Before beginning any electrical work it is always the safest option to turn the power off at the main circuit breaker. This will stop all flow of electricity to the area. Place some tape over the circuit so someone else will know that you are working on the breaker and not to turn it on.

Step 2: Remove Outlet Cover

Locate the electrical outlet that is the nearest to your garage door opener. Remove the faceplate cover with the screwdriver and set it aside. You will notice two screws that are holding the outlet in place. One on top and one on the bottom. Remove these screws and carefully pull out the electrical outlet. Use a voltage meter to check to make sure that the electricity is off.

Step 3: Install Electrical Box

At the location where the garage door opener is installed, choose a position where the new electrical outlet will be located. Secure the box with some screws to the side of a joist. Install plastic conduit along the joists and to the wall where you are going to connect the wires.

Step 4: Connect Wires to Electrical Outlet

With the conduit in place, run the electrical wire through the conduit and to the electrical outlet where you are going to connect to. Strip 3/4 inch of insulation away from the end to expose the bare copper. Connect to the outlet with the corresponding wires. The white attaches to the screw the white wire is already attached to and so forth. Push the wires into the electrical box and secure the outlet again with the two screws. Replace the faceplate.

Step 5: Connect Wires to New Electrical Box

Once the wire is connected to the electrical outlet you can now connect the electric garage door opener to the electrical outlet. Strip back 3/4 inch of the insulation from the end of the wire and connect the wires to the corresponding screws. The outlet should be labeled as to which of the side screws the white and black wires connect to. The green one connects to the brass or green screw.

Step 6: Attach The Outlet and Plug It In

After the wires are secure, push the wiring and the outlet into the electrical box. Make sure the wires are not kinked and are not pulling on the connections. Attach the outlet with two screws to keep it secure in the box. Attach the faceplate with a single screw in the center. Plug the electric garage door opener into the new outlet and turn the power on. Test out the operation of the garage door opener.