You should always buy the best electrical boxes for your DIY wiring projects. Metal models are generally more expensive than plastic, and if you ask four electricians whether the former are better ...

Also, check that the box of the existing outlet is large enough to handle the extra wiring that it will hold — for a 15-amp circuit, use 14-gauge wire in an 18-cubic-inch box.

The consequences of undersizing outlet boxes can include damaged wiring, overheating, and even electrical fires. But you can’t just oversize boxes “to be on the safe side” because that wastes space ...

That’s why home owners should look into smart electrical boxes, which function as both a protective safety net for charging EVs, as well as providing oversight to a home’s energy consumption.