Hiring a professional electrician can be very expensive and is often the reason why people try doing their own basic electric wiring themselves.
I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly results of these efforts and I have come to the conclusion that basic electrical wiring is not something anyone should do without proper guidance, tools and confidence.
It is so important that before attempting any of these basic electrical wiring projects that people are aware of how dangerous electricity is and how important safety is for you and for your family and family home.
90 percent of the time I recommend hiring a licensed electrician over doing your basic electrical wiring yourself. Not doing this will usually end up costing even more money than before and increase the risk of bringing your family into danger without even knowing your doing it.
But doing your own basic electric wiring really isn't that hard to do if you "educate" yourself on the topic.
Licensed electricians had to learn the stuff themselves too. So as a 'do it yourself person' this isn't different. There is no escape possible.
You will see that the more you read about it the easier it will become and the more confidence you will get.
Just to give you an idea, here are 3 questions I recently got from people just like you who tried doing their own electric wiring:
Question 1: I installed a grounding probe in your aquarium and every time anyone in the house turns on or off the lights, the fish jump. What's going on?
A couple of suggestions:
1. (easiest) Pull out that grounding probe and return it from whence you purchased it.
2. Check the wiring on your outlet. You may actually have 'Neutral' instead of 'Ground'.
3. Check the wiring throughout the rest of the house. There are some people out there that insist on doing their own home repairs, yet don't understand basic electrical wiring.
Outlets are easy to check by getting a $7.95 outlet tester from the hardware store. Wired-in appliances, lights, heaters, etc. are tougher.
4. Check all your electrical fixtures to make sure they aren't leaking some voltage to Ground.
Question 2: What is the NEC? Where can I get a copy?
The NEC is a model electrical code devised and published by the National Fire Protection Association, an insurance industry group. It's revised every three years.
The 1993 version has been released. You can buy a copy at a decent bookstore, or by calling them directly at 800-344-3555.
The code exists in several versions. There's the full text, which is fairly incomprehensible. There's an abridged edition, which has only the sections likely to apply to most houses.
And there's the NEC Handbook, which contains the ``authorized commentary'' on the code, as well as the full text. That's the recommended version. Unfortunately, there's no handbook for the abridged edition. And the full handbook is expensive -- US$65 plus shipping and handling.
Question 3: Can I do my own wiring? Extra pointers?
In most places, homeowners are allowed to do their own wiring. In some, they're not. Check with your local electrical inspector. Most places won't permit you to do wiring on other's homes for money without a license. Nor are you permitted to do wiring in "commercial" buildings.
Multiple dwellings (eg: duplexes)are usually considered "semi-commercial" or "commercial". However, many jurisdictions will permit you to work on semi-commercial wiring if you're supervised by a licensed electrician - if you can find one willing to supervise.
If you do your own wiring, an important point:
Do it NEAT and WELL! What you really want to aim for is a better job than an electrician will do. After all, it's your own home, and it's you or your family that might get killed if you make a mistake.
An electrician has time pressures, has the skills and knows the tricks of the trade to do a fast, safe job. In this FAQ we've consciously given a few recommendations that are in excess of code, because we feel that it's reasonable, and will impress the inspector.
The inspector will know that you're an amateur. You have to earn his trust. The best way of doing this is to spend your time doing as neat a job as possible. Don't cut corners. Exceed specifications. Otherwise, the inspector may get extremely picky and fault you on the slightest transgressions.
Don't try to hide anything from the inspector.
Use the proper tools. Ie: don't use a bread knife to strip wires, or twist wires with your fingers. The inspector won't like it, and the results won't be that safe. And it takes longer. And you're more likely to stick a hunk of 12ga wire through your hand that way.
Don't handle house wire when it's very cold (eg: below -10C or 16F). Thermoplastic house wire, particularly older types become very brittle.
As you can see, getting the right answers to your questions can make the work a lot easier.
You save time by doing it "the right way" from the first time and you save money because you won't need to hire an electrician to either do the entire job or to fix your screw-ups.
In any case, no matter what you, be very careful when working on electricity! If needed cut down the entire power of your house just to be sure.
Keep It Safe,
--------------------------------------------------------
Nico De Baere is a licensed electrician with over 10 years of experience with home and industrial electric wiring. He is the author of the ebook Basic Electric Wiring which gives answers to 77 of the most ask questions on basic electric wiring. Visit his site now at http://www.basicelectricwiring.com
------------- ---------------------------------------
Colors contain underlying psychological meanings and evoke particular feelings when... Read More
Sofa slipcovers are designed to be easy to fit over... Read More
Home inspections conducted prior to a home being placed on... Read More
Stress is all around us, from the office to the... Read More
The traditional look of hardwood flooring is timeless; its beauty... Read More
Fresh water is essential to our health and comfort. Not... Read More
So you've finally decided to get your favorite music throughout... Read More
Here are five important things to remember.1. Use a steel... Read More
One of the first steps in building a log home... Read More
Thinking about installing a home theater system? You're not alone.... Read More
The words "spring cleaning" can make the neatest person cringe.... Read More
When most people think about an air conditioner filter, it... Read More
A sauna has been used throughout history in every part... Read More
It is quite simple to repair a hole in a... Read More
You've finally found the home of your dreams, 3 bedrooms,... Read More
Remodeling PlansMaking remodeling plans for a house helps you to... Read More
For Paint Manufacturers worldwide, there has come a radical new... Read More
It's that time of year where rats and mice are... Read More
Been shopping for antique clocks lately?It's strange that when something... Read More
Power washing is the application of high pressure water spray.... Read More
As a Managing Partner of www.exquisiterugs.com, the question... Read More
A beautiful kitchen is the heart of any home (even... Read More
Window coverings serve an important role in your home, giving... Read More
Good kitchen design online means having a layout for your... Read More
Transforming your home's basement into a finished space can prove... Read More
These days, finding advice or guides to interior design is... Read More
Before beginning any bathroom remodeling, you should create a budget.... Read More
If you would like to make your existing home more... Read More
What would you like in the backyard that is great... Read More
Just as there are solar magnetic stresses that come from... Read More
When it comes to home water filters and water purifiers,... Read More
For many years copper has been the main raw material... Read More
Whenever I write an article, it's usually tailored to the... Read More
Like most folk, I believe that more can be achieved... Read More
There's no doubt that blinds add the finishing touch to... Read More
What would you like in the backyard that is great... Read More
Because colors have tremendous emotional impact, understanding how color affects... Read More
Ceramic Tile brings a texture, richness and color to a... Read More
You don't want to keep your useless tools in your... Read More
Refinishing your hardwood floors yourself can be time consuming and... Read More
The Home InspectorWhen you think about it, it is a... Read More
Power tools are some of the most useful devices ever... Read More
When we left off last week, we had removed the... Read More
Nothing makes your home more welcoming than the warmth and... Read More
You may own a remarkably constructed, attractive house that is... Read More
This time of year often sees an explosion in new... Read More
A clock is simply a device that measures time. Typical... Read More
Thinking about installing a home theater system? You're not alone.... Read More
An air compressor is used to power air tools such... Read More
You may find it difficult to believe that the days... Read More
Buying a carport to protect your investment can be a... Read More
Understanding color psychology helps home makers choose colors for home... Read More
Above all else, the furniture in the living-room should make... Read More
If you are redesigning or decorating a room, or house,... Read More
Hardwood is still the homeowner's favorite choice of flooring and... Read More
Commercial steel buildings are prefabricated and custom-designed for use as... Read More
If you'd like to try your hand at candle making,... Read More
Do you have any idea how popular outdoor kitchens are... Read More
Even though we are still enjoying warm weather and winter... Read More
Planning a bathroom remodel? Each home project of this nature... Read More
While remodeling your kitchen, install only the essential cabinets, so... Read More
A house or any particular room can be carefully planned,... Read More
When remodeling a room, choosing the correct lighting is one... Read More
You have finally found the perfect lot, in the neighborhood... Read More
High quality residential and commercial mailboxes are available in styles... Read More
Do you know that formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling gas can... Read More
Home Improvement |