Kitchen2 Vol.16: Outlet Addition Pt.2

u270fufe0f Originally published: 2017-02-02 / ud83dudd04 Updated: May 8, 2026

2026 Update u2014 Kitchen Phase 2 Work: Outlets and Floor Repair

After completing the bathroom, I moved on to the kitchen’s second phase: adding outlets and repairing the floor. Getting the wiring right early avoids tenant complaints down the line. ^ ^

Adding Kitchen Outlets u2014 Overview

Older properties often have too few kitchen outlets, causing breaker trips when multiple appliances run simultaneously. Adding dedicated circuits is a worthy investment in both comfort and safety.

Methods for Adding Outlets

• u2460 Branch from an existing circuit (if capacity allows)
• u2461 Run a new dedicated circuit (for high-draw appliances)
• u2462 Install a new 20A dedicated kitchen circuit

Outlet work requires a Type 2 Electrical Work License. DIY Dad holds the license. Anyone without it must hire a licensed contractor.

About the Type 2 Electrical Work License

Strongly recommended for landlords. Once certified, you can add outlets, replace fixtures, and swap switches yourself u2014 all from a single nationally recognized qualification.

Exams twice a year; DIY Dad passed via self-study for roughly 30,000 yen total. The savings on outsourced electrical work have multiplied that investment many times over. ^ ^

Now to the Step-by-Step u2014 The Contractor Arrives

Hi, it’s DIY Dad! ^ ^

Speaking of tea u2014 what kind is most popular in Japan? Green tea? Oolong? Barley tea? In our house it’s rooibos tea. My wife discovered it a while back and it became our house tea. The consumption is staggering u2014 over 12 liters a week! And DIY Dad is the designated tea-maker. Two 2-liter kettles and a 1-liter pot, running in steady rotation. Feels like I’m a high-school sports team manager. I really want a bigger kettle. ^_^;

Continuing with the 1F kitchen renovation. After comparing quotes, Contractor A won the bid for the outlet work. ^ ^

On the day of the job, the electrician arrived first thing in the morning. I expected it to wrap up by noon. But the work stretched until around 4:00 PM u2014 clearly running at a loss for the quoted price. I brought him lunch and an energy drink as a midday thank-you.

During breaks and over lunch, we talked at length. Turns out the electrician is a DIY enthusiast himself, having customized his own home and car. But since he lives in a condo (RC construction), he can’t make the kind of structural changes he’d like. He said he’d been fascinated from the moment he came to quote the job u2014 seeing someone buy an old house and renovate it by hand.

He told me: “I want to do what you’re doing someday u2014 really go at my own place.” And: “Today, I feel like I’m helping you with your DIY u2014 please let me.”

We really clicked. ^ ^ He left later than planned. Maybe we talked too much. ^^;

As he left I thanked him sincerely, and he laughed and said: “My boss is going to give me grief for this one.” And off he went. ( ^_^)/~~~

I learned a huge amount. He shared years of hands-on knowledge, and I got to watch a professional at work u2014 picking up tips on cable routing and installation technique just by watching. A genuinely enjoyable and productive day. (^o^)

Here are the outlets that were installed:

^ 100V outlet for the dishwasher.

^ 100V outlet for the refrigerator.

^ 200V outlet for the IH cooktop.

That’s all for today! (^^)/~~~

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