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Electrical Wiring, Circuitry & Conduit

Examine electrical wiring techniques and solutions for installing and repairing your electrical system. Articles cover metal and PVC piping, types of wire, switches, outlets, series and parallel circuits, and applications.
  1. Low Voltage Wiring (15)
  2. Metal & PVC Conduit (3)
  3. Types of Electrical Wire (4)

Trenching

Electrical safety is number one before you dig, so here are some great tips to adhere to before you dig, while youdig, and after you dig a trench for wiring.

What is Grounding and How Does it Work?

Grounding and electricity go hand in hand. In fact, to safely use electrical devices, equipment, appliances, and tools, make sure that your connection is grounded properly. Here's why grounding is important.

Cementing PVC Conduit and Fittings

Working with PVC conduit and its fiitings is easy and with the right right technique, you can have a strong holding bond between the conduit and the fitting by using this great tip on how to glue with PVC glue.

Surface-Mounted Wiring

Surface-mounted wiring is an easy way to extend or add to an existing outlet. This article tells you how easy it is.

Electrical Wire - Electrical Wire Sizes - Electrical Wiring

Electrical Wire - Electrical Wire Sizes - Electrical Wiring

Nonmetallic Cable - How To Read Labels On Nonmetallic Cable - Romex

Nonmetallic Cable - How To Read Labels On Nonmetallic Cable - Romex

Electrical Wire Age - Do You Know How Old Your Wiring Is? - Update Wiring

Electrical Wire Age - Do You Know How Old Your Wiring Is? - Update Wiring

How Does your Electricity Flow?

In order to understand how electricity flows, you must first understand what the key terms mean. This simple list gives you some of the most commons terms. Electricity flows through electrical wire and componets like water flows through copper tubing in your home. As electricity flows through a circuit, it encounters some resistance in the...

Securing Electrical Cables

Electrical cables must be secured to framing from one electrical box to the other. Cables should be fastened to framing at least every 54 inches. Cables should also be fastened within 12 inches of a box.

Tinning Stranded Electrical Wires

Tinning electrical wires can turn stranded wires into solid wires. Learn why this is the way the pros connect their wires when placing them under terminal screws.

Overhead Clearances For Conductors and Cables For 600 Volts Or Less

According to the 2008 National Electrical Code, the overhead spans of open conductors and open multiconductor cables of not over 600 volts, nominal, shall have the following clearances for safety. In Article 225.18 of the NEC, the following cable heights must be maintained.

Picture How It Was Wired

If you've ever taken apart a switch, outlet, or wiring connection and forgot how it goes back together, remembering cam be as simple as taking a picture. That way, you can go back and see how it was wired before you took it apart.

Size Your Extension Cords To Lengths Of The Run

Electrical extension cords are great way to extend circuits to areas that you are working, away from available outlets. Many times, the user doesn't heed the extension cord size compared to the length of the run.

What Is A Middle-of-run Circuit?

When you open an electrical junction box and there is more than one cable in it, chances are that it is a middle-of-run circuit.

What Is An End-of-run Circuit?

When you open an electrical junction box and theres only one cable in it, chances are it is an end-of-run circuit.

Nonmetallic Cable Sheathing Color

In home wiring that implements nonmetallic sheathed cable (NM), the outer sheath color indicates the wire gauge or size and amperage rating of the wire within. Most NM-B cable, made after 2001, is sheathed with different colored wire sheathed to make identification easier for both consumers and inspectors. This color coding of the wire sheath...

Types Of Electrical Conductors Used In Wet Locations

Electrical projects require installing electrical wire, but which types of wires can be used in wet locations? The better question is, what does the 2008 National Electrical Code say about it?

Types Of Electrical Conductors Used In Dry Locations

Electrical projects require installing electrical wire, but which types of wires can be used in dry locations? The better question is, what does the 2008 National Electrical Code say about it?

Room Addition Wiring Needs

Room additions are a great way to add additional space to an existing home and these are the electrical wiring circuits you may need to complete it.

Thermal Electric Motor Protection

Electric motors incorporate thermal protection to protect the motor from burning up, find out why.

Why Use Conduit ?

Learn the locations that conduit is designed to be used in.

Electrical Circuits Needed When Remodeling A Kitchen

If you are remodeling your kitchen, you will need to be sure these ciruits are in place.

Electrical Wire Gauge, Ampacity, and Wattage Load

Here are some great tips for determining the proper wire gauge, ampacity, and the maximum wattage allowed.

Extension Cord Choices

Learn what amperage some of the common extension cords are good for in this chart.

Determining Proper Electrical Wire Size For Underground Circuit Cable Length

When considering the appropriate wire size for a circuit, don't forget to take the circuit length into consideration.

Electrical Wiring

The do-it-yourselfer sometimes runs into electrical mishaps around the home. Sometimes this requires Either way, it often requires that you deal with the electrical wiring. These tutorials will help you through the process with ease.

Electrical Wire Insulation And Its Labeling

Individual electrical wires come wrapped in different types of insulation, different colors, and are rated for different amperages. Find out what they all mean.

Electrical Wire And Cable Conductors Types

Learn what the five different types of electrical wires are and what they are used for.

What Is Surface-Mounted Wiring?

When you need to extend a circuit and cutting in boxes just isn't an option, surface-mounted wiring may be the answer.

Aluminum Wire Safety Hazards

Aluminum wire was used pre-1970's for home wiring, but it was found to be a safety hazard.

Wire Pulling Compound

Wire pulling compound, often called cable lube, is designed to ease in pulling electrical wires through conduit runs.

The Maximum Number Of Electrical Wires Allowed In Conduit

Metal and PVC conduit both have a maximum number of allowable electrical wire fill. This article will tell you these amounts.

Top Electrical Wiring Tips

Electrical wiring can be as simple as following these tips. Connecting cords, circuit connections, device connections, and electrical panel connections all require some type of wiring connection. This tutorial is loaded with electrical wiring tips to make the job simple and easy to accomplish. Whether you're a first-timer or an old pro who just needs a few refresher tips, having a hand…

Connecting Electrical Wires To Terminals

When connecting electrical wires to switches and outlets, the way you strip, bend, and tighten the wire on the terminal will determine how good the connection really is.

Wire Carts and Caddies

Wire carts and caddies hold spools of electrical wire of various sizes to make pulling wire easy.

Is My Old House Wiring Safe?

If you ever wondered about whether your wiring in your house was safe, here's a few things to consider.

What is an Electrical Circuit Overload?

Learn what electrical circuit overloads are and how that can effect your home's electrical wiring.

Kitchen Wiring Circuits

Whether you are building a new home or just remodeling an older home, there are some basic circuits that are needed in a kitchen area to supply an effective amount of power to the appliances that will be used. Here is a list of the most commonly used circuits in a kitchen.

How to Strip Nonmetallic Cable

Learn how to strip nonmetallic cable with the use of a specially designed wire stripper.

Understanding Electrical Wire Lettering

Ever wonder what the letters on electrical wire mean? Find out in this informative article.

What Size Electrical Wire Do I Need?

Learn the appropriate size wire for the amperage of the circuit that you are using. The wire gauge is the size of the wire.

What is an Underwriter's Knot

Plugs and cords that have no built-in strain relief need something to keep them from being pulled out of the connection easily.

How To Strip Electrical Wire

Learn the proper way to strip electrical wire and the appropriate tools to make the job easy. Find out why knives and other tools are not recommended.

Electrical Wire Color Coding

Find out what the electrical wire color coding is when working on electrical projects. Learn which wires are used as hot, neutral, and ground wires.

Make Pigtail Wire Connections

Learn how to properly connect two or more wires by connecting a pigtail connection.

Wiring Diagrams - Simple Depiction of a Generator Transfer Switch

Learn how a transfer switch is connected with this very simple diagram.

Ceiling Fans With Wiring Diagrams

Learn the energy-saving benefits of ceiling fans and learn how to troubleshoot their problems. There is a great line diagram of how a ceiling fan is wired.

Wiring Diagrams - Wiring a 230 Volt 2-Speed Pump

A nicely depicted diagram of how to wire a 230-volt motor.

What Is A Conductor?

When you think of the term conductor, you think of anything that conducts electricity through something, often wires.

Electrical Wiring & Connections

A vast list of electrical wiring articles and examples of wire connections, wire sizes, and wire uses.

Wire Connection Problems and Solutions

Electrical connection problems may be prevalent around your home and here are some of the most common and how to fix them.

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