Home Wiring

Home wiring can be a difficult area of work if you don't know the correct information and steps. This section provides you with all the information you need ranging from breaker boxes to frequently asked questions and answers on wiring and lighting. All the articles found in this section will help you with any problem or question or even project involving home wiring.

Watt About Electricity?

Here's a basic lesson in electricity so you'll be able to tell apart an Amp, Volt and a Watt. Amps (short for amperage) measure the strength of an electirc circuit. Ordinary lights are rated at 15 amps so the circuit in the circuit box requires a 15 amp circuit. Thicker 20 amp wires deliver power for small appliances; clothes dryers, electric ranges require 3050 amps so 2 circuits are are fused together to provide it. Volts measure electromotive force and Watts equal Volts times Amps.

Checklist for Electrical Projects

When you're going to tackle your own electrical projects, make sure that you have all the right products and enough of them! Tools Needed - Wire cutters, strippers, stapler, and screwdrivers Cable - Purchase enough cable to reach your circuit and allow at the least 10% extra to accommodate any bends. Also, check to see if the cable will be able to handle the amperage that you will be using it for. Although low resistance wire is more costly, it will save money in the long run by reducing power loss or blown fuses and will increase safety. Boxes - Remember that you will need a box for every break in the cable, which includes outlets, fixtures and splices. Wire Connectors - Purchase at least two wire connectors for every cable slice that you plan to make. Most light fixtures come pre-wired and will have to be sliced on the circuit cable. However, sockets and switches do not require connectors because they can be mounted directly on the cable. Insulated Staples - Use these staples to mount the cable to the studs. Make sure that you have the right size for the cable you are using. Insulated Tape - Necessary for wrapping splices or taping any electrical wires.

Wall Plates - Make sure that you have the right number and configuration to match the fixtures installed.

Home Wiring - Connecting Electrical Wires I

Intro - Prep - Rough In and Box Placement - Stud Preparation - Wire Installation - Terminal Placement - Wire Connection I - Wire Connection II - Electric Fixtures and Outside Wiring - Track Lighting - Wiring Extensions in Old Homes - Breaker Box: Ins and Outs Checklist

Margin of Error: Exact

Wire nuts are for making connections between the wires. Wire nuts come in various sizes, distinguished by color, and may differ with each manufacturer. (Usually yellow, red, or gray will cover most household uses.) Always select the proper-size connector for the wires being used; these should only be used where the connection won't be pulled or strained in any way. When making connections between solid wires using wire nuts, strip 1 1/2" of insulation from the wires to be joined and hold them parallel. Twist these together securely with pliers. Then cut off the ends of the wires to fit the twist-on connector. Slip the wire nut over the bare ends of the wires, and twist the nut clockwise around the wires, pushing them hard into the nut. A good safety precaution is to pull on each wire to assure that it is secure, then wrap electrical tape around the wire nut and the wires connected. Simple wiring connections of two cables can be handled easily. More complex wiring, such as lights that involve switches, outlets that are switched, and junctions where the wiring is continued on to other receptacles, involves more wires. To simplify such arrangements, join wires by a method called "pig-tailing." Local code may dictate use of pig-tailing in your area. Tip: Use a voltage tester to check if electricity is present at the outlets.

Pig-tailing
Pig-tailing connects two or more wires together with another 6" pigtail wire that has been stripped 3/4" on each end. The pigtail wire will be the wire you connect to the outlet or switch. This reduces the number of wires to be connected at the receptacle. Below are some of the common uses of pigtailing.

Note: Most manufactures recommend cutting the wires so that they are even on the end, then applying the nut. When the nut is tightened, it will twist the wires and make a secure connection. Connecting wires at a duplex receptacle. Strip all wires 3/4" and then hold all of the wires of like color together with another 6" wire of the same color. Twist the ends of the wires being connected with the pigtail wire tightly together. Then screw on a wire nut of the appropriate size. You can check the security of your connection by holding the wire nut and giving a good tug to each wire. Now it is a simple matter to connect the pigtail portion of the connection to the terminal black to brass, white to silver, and the bare grounding wire to the grounding screw. Once pigtailed, it is easier to bundle all of the wires together to fit them into the box. Then you can simply screw the duplex receptacle (outlet) onto the electrical box with the screws provided.

What You Will Be Doing

This section will help you discover how easy it is for you as a do-it-yourselfer to work with the 110/120 volt electrical system found in your own home. 110/120 volt is relatively simple to wire and connect and does not require a lot of special equipment or handling. Electricity can be an intimidating concept for many because of the potential danger. You can virtually eliminate that danger with a little knowledge and proper safety practices. However, regardless of how much knowledge you have, never become lax in dealing with an electrical system, or it can be deadly. The information in this section is meant to give you an understanding of several common electrical situations that you might encounter. Because of the many options and variations in this area, it is not intended to be a complete guide to electrical work. Never take

chances with electrical work If you feel you need more information, consult an electrician or a more detailed reference book if you plan any extensive electrical work, or to evaluate the condition of an older electrical system, I recommend you seek a professional.

Safety
Safety is of utmost importance when working with electricity. Develop safe work habits and stick to them. Be very careful with electricity. It may be invisible, but it can be dangerous if not understood and respected. 1. Safety glasses or goggles should be worn whenever power tools are used, especially if you wear contact lenses. 2. Make sure the power is off at the breaker box before doing any electrical work 3. Always work in a dean, dry area free from anything wet. 4. Wires should only be connected at accessible junction boxes. Never splice wires together and conceal them within a wall without a junction box. 5. Never attempt to strip wires with a knife. Aside from endangering your fingers, you will nick the wire metal, which will create an electrical hazard. 6. Ground fault circuit interrupter out- lets should be used under damp conditions (basements, bathrooms, out- doors, etc.), as required by the National Electric Code. 7. Don't create fire hazards by over- loading an outlet or an extension cord. 8. Avoid electrical shock by mapping and marking your switch and outlet boxes. Put the map on the door of the main power service panel. 9. Leave a warning message that you are working on the circuit at the service panel, and tape the circuit breaker in the off position. With a fuse box, take the fuse out 10. Never change the size of a fuse or breaker in a circuit. 11. Be certain your connector is CO/ALR rated when you splice aluminum wire. If it is marked CU/ALR, use only copper wire. Do not use aluminum wire with push terminals; use only copper or copper-dad aluminum wire. 12. Always correct the problem that caused a fuse or circuit breaker to blow before replacing the fuse or circuit breaker. 13. Replace wiring that shows signs of fraying or deterioration. 14. Avoid breaking your knuckles by bracing the powerful right-angle drill so that it cannot spin around if it gets stuck while drilling. 15. Before working with wires or electrical connections, check them with a voltage tester to be sure they are dead. 16. Plumbing and gas pipes are often used to ground electrical systems. Never touch them while working with electricity. 17. Don't use metal ladders with over- head electricity. 18. Use the proper protection, take precautions, and plan ahead. Never by-pass safety to save money or to rush a project

Useful Terms

Ampere. Measures the number of electrically charged particles that flow past a given point on a circuit (per second).

Breaker box (breaker panel). Houses the circuit breakers or fuses, distributes power to various parts of your house. Circuit. All wiring controlled by one fuse or circuit breaker. Circuit breaker. Protective device for each circuit, which automatically cuts off power from the main breaker in the event of an overload or short. Only a regulated amount of current can pass through the breaker before it will "trip." Fish tape. A long, flexible metal strip with a formed hook (to which you fasten the cable) or wire to pull through walls, raceway, or conduit. Main breaker. Turns the power entering your home through the breaker box on or off. This is sometimes found in the breaker box, or it may be in a separate box and at another location. Neutral bus bar. The bar to which the neutral wire is connected in the breaker box. Roughing-in. Placement of outlets, switches and lights prior to actual electrical hook-up. Volt. Measures the current pressure at receptacles and lights. Average household voltage is 120. Watt. The rate at which an electrical device (light bulb, appliance, etc.) consumes energy Watts=volts x amps.

Home Wiring - Preparation

Intro - Prep - Rough In and Box Placement - Stud Preparation - Wire Installation - Terminal Placement - Wire Connection I - Wire Connection II - Electric Fixtures and Outside Wiring - Track Lighting - Wiring Extensions in Old Homes - Breaker Box: Ins and Outs Checklist

What You Will Need

Time. The time needed will depend on the scope of the project. Tools. There are some special (although inexpensive) tools required for use with electricity.

Long-nose (needle-nose) pliers Wire cutters Electric drill Fish tape Cable stripper Wire stripper Colored tape Voltage tester Continuity tester Right-angle drill, which can be rented.

Other tools from your household toolbox include:

Tape measure Screwdriver Chalk line Hammer

Circular saw Chisel Hacksaw Combination square

Utility light Safety glasses or goggles Keyhole saw Utility knife Pry bar

Materials. Depending on the extent of wiring you will be undertaking, your list may include these materials: Grounded receptacles Switches Various junction boxes Nail guards Wire nuts Horseshoe nails (electrical staples) Push terminals Breakers Track lights and fittings Dimmer switch Waterproof junction boxes Ground fault interrupters Conduit Cable Silicon caulking

Permits and Codes

Most states and municipalities use, and have additions to, the National Electric Code (NEC). Always consult the office of your local building inspector to determine what permits or special provisions must be met All electrical work must pass local codes, no matter how small the job. Be sure to get the proper permits, and be certain that you are dear on how to do your work so that it will pass code. Local codes may differ, so don't rely on the information outlined here. It may not pass local code. Obtain a copy of local building codes by contacting the Building Inspectors' Association in your state capital, or check with the building inspector at your county court house or your city Building Department.

Some of the work may need to be done by a licensed electrical contractor. Never are inspectors more fearful of homeowners doing their own work than with electrical systems. The chances for electrocution, or a house fire resulting from faulty wiring, are great inspectors check electrical work very carefully. And they should. So be sure all work is done neatly, to code, and in the manner inspectors are used to seeing it done.

Design
A successful wiring project requires a plan so that you know exactly where you want your outlets, switches, and fixtures to be placed. Whether you are adding a room or rewiring an old one, don't skimp on the receptacles. Aside from it being dangerous to overload outlets with extension cords and adapters, it can be just plain frustrating to have dark corners where you most need the light. Code usually requires 12' or less between outlets on the same wall In this way, 6' cord on an appliance or lamp can always reach an outlet without an extension cord. It will look better if you plan your outlets all to be at the same height Again, this may be determined by local code. If there are two entrances to the room, plan for a light switch at both doors. Place switches on the unhinged side of the door. Determine the most direct route for fixtures, and route them accordingly. Draw a rough floor plan and note the location of all receptacles, switches, and fixtures. Such a plan will assist you in making up your materials list and in calculating the amount of cable you will need.

Most Common Mistakes

While it is easy to make mistakes when working with electricity, it is just as easy to avoid them. The single most important mistake to avoid is neglecting to turn off the power before beginning. Other mistakes include: 1. Not making a plan for the work being done. 2. Overloading circuits by plugging too many appliances into an outlet, or by using an inadequate extension cord. (See the section on the Breaker Box.) 3. Not labeling circuits at the service panel. 4. Not using UL approved materials. 5. Routing the wiring in an inefficient manner. 6. Mounting outlets and switches without assuring that they are flush with the final wall covering. 7. Not using the correct junction box for the wiring to be installed. 8. Not using weatherproof boxes for outdoor fixtures. 9. Neglecting to seal around holes drilled through exterior walls. 10. Forgetting to add nail guards where needed.

11. Not having your work inspected at critical points 12. Neglecting to follow local code.