Service configurations may vary from home to home, but all have similar characteristics. We will discuss the most common service changes and you will have to adapt these principles to your unique situation. Let me state at this juncture, that service changes require the power to be removed from your home and the work [...]
Tag Archives | Electrical wiring
D.I.Y., SO YOU THINK YOU NEED AN ELECTRICAL SERVICE CHANGE?
There are signs and events to look for as a service nears its life span, or has more than likely become overloaded. In this search you may want to ask yourself the following: Is your service over 50 years old? Is your main breaker under 100-amps? Are the entry wires–or riser–from the power company, to [...]
D.I.Y., HOW TO WIRE A FOUR-WAY SWITCH
If you have an existing light fixture which is controlled by two three-way switches (2 different switch locations) and want to add a third switch at a different location, you must install a four-way switch. If you are building a new home, or putting on an addition and want a fixture [...]
D.I.Y., ADDING A SINGLE POLE SWITCH
Let’s say you have an existing fixture, ceiling fan, or receptacle, and you would like to control one of them by adding a single switch. Let me walk you through the steps (I’ll refer to all three as “fixtures” for the sake of time and space) First, you need to know that in order for [...]
D.I.Y., LET’S WIRE YOUR NEW BEDROOM
THE LAY-OUT: First, you need to analyze the room lay-out, to determine the location of the devices, i.e., switches, receptacles, TV, phones, fixtures, ceiling fans, etc. 1. Receptacles: The NEC requires a receptacle to be located on any wall, 2 feet or longer, and or every 12 running feet (so that a 6-foot cord may [...]
D.I.Y., ADDING A RECEPTACLE
ROOM RECEPTACLES First of all, consider the following before starting the work: 1. What type of wall will you be installing the receptacle on, or in? Is it a 2 x 4 stud wall? Or, a block wall? 2. What type of wall covering do you have, and what is the width? [...]
D.I.Y., APPLIANCE WIRING
If you want to install a circuit and hook-up an appliance, you must keep the following in mind: Check the name plate label, which must be installed on the unit (for the watts, amps, volts and phase). The branch circuit you install must be rated 125% larger than the continuous load or full load ratings [...]
D.I.Y., WHAT SIZE WIRE TO USE?
The most common wire used for home projects is probably 14/2 Romex cable (Rx). Although there are 3 wires in the jacket, it is still referred to as 14/2…it really should be called 14/2 with ground, but it’s not. WIRES/AMPS: Commonly used home project wires are rated as follows: 14/2 (3 wires) – 14/3 [...]
D.I.Y., WHAT WIRE TO USE, COPPER OR ALUMINUM?
ALUMINUM: Do-It-Yourselfers should never use aluminum wire, period. It is hard enough for veteran electricians to install. Aluminum wire must be sized properly, installed properly, and most importantly, terminated properly. Aluminum Romex cable is manufactured but don’t use it under the size of #6, and then only if you must. Aluminum wire must be sized [...]
D.I.Y., QUESTIONS TO ASK?
Before you take on an electrical project, THINK IT THROUGH. Ask yourself these questions: What am I trying to accomplish? What path will the wire have to take? Can I physically get from point A to point B? What damage to walls or ceilings may occur? Is the damage and its repair, worth the [...]
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