Electrical How To Guide

Working with electrical wiring and systems requires a basic knowledge of electricity and access to governing building code restrictions. Throughout this website find electrical and wiring details as it relates to the projects being described. If at any time you feel you have taken on more than you can handle, please have a licensed electrical contractor review and complete the work for you. Safety must come first when working with electrical systems and wiring.

Basics of Electrical Wiring

Electricity is the flow of electrons through conductor materials. It is produced by power companies in a high-voltage flow. Through the use of transformers, the power company reduces the voltage and delivers it to customers at a voltage that meets their needs. For the purpose of this website we will discuss 120 volt current which is standard in most American homes. This flow enters the home through a meter which measures the amount of electricity used at this location. From the meter the electricity is delivered to your breaker box where it is distributed throughout the house in small doses for practical and safety considerations.

Electricity flows in a loop from the "hot" or positive feed wires, through electrical devices, and back to the breaker box through the "neutral" wires. This flow completes a circuit which allows electrical devices to function. If this loop is broken by a switch or the breaker, electricity can no longer flow. Electrical devices connected to this loop stop functioning until the switch re-connects the loop.

A given circuit within a home may include several items connected to the loop. These may include electrical outlets, lights, appliances and fans. When a circuit breaker is switched to the off position (disconnect) it stops flow of electricity to the entire circuit, or loop. Within the loop individual switches may disconnect or interrupt the flow of electricity to a specific device without interrupting flow to other devices in the loop.

House wiring consists of three wires. One is the "hot" usually black (but sometimes red), the white "neutral" wire and the green "ground" wire. The ground wire is a safety net which only carries electricity if there is a leak in the circuit.

In order for an electrical device to function, electricity travels from the breaker box via the "hot" wire, through the device and returns to the breaker box via the neutral wire.

For Electrical receptacle outlets:
Black wire to one side of the receptacle.
White wire to one side of the receptacle.
Green wire to the receptacle box and or ground post on the receptacle.

For Light Fixtures:
Black wire to one side of the receptacle.
White wire to one side of the receptacle.
Green wire to the receptacle box and or ground post on the receptacle.

Switches:
The switch controls flow of electricity on the "hot" wire only. Note that multiple switches can used to control an electrical device.

See wiring diagrams included with electrical devices for connecting procedures.

Tools

HAND TOOLS
Measuring Tape
Level
Hacksaw
Keyhole Saw
Fish Tape
Phillips Head Screwdrivers
Straight Slotted Screwdrivers
Side Cutter Pliers
Lineman's Pliers
Needle-Nose Pliers
Tongue & groove pliers (Channel locks)
Combination Tool Wire Stripper
Adjustable Wire Stripper
Cable Ripper
Vice Grips
Channel Locks
Wire Cutters
Utility Knife
Neon Tester
Voltmeter
Receptacle Tester/Analyzer
Continuity Tester

POWER TOOLS
Electric Drill - Fly-Cutter Bits 5/8" to 1 1/4"
Cordless Drill
Soldering Gun
BX Cutter
Tubing Cutter
Conduit Bender

Related Books & Publications

Related Websites

Electric Supply Online

Resources

Related Subjects