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Want to learn more about wiring
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09-22-2019, 08:15 PM
As for me, I'd like to reorganize some circuits and upgrade a number of outlets to three prong. The original wiring in my house was done in 1927 and various items have been added since. Sometimes things make sense but sometimes they don't. You can have two outlets in the same room and next to each other but on different circuits - WHICH IS FINE IF IT WAS LABELED THAT WAY.
09-22-2019, 10:48 PM
The first question is, how mechanically inclined are you? If you're not, wiring or rewiring a home is probably not a good idea.
If you've never done it before, see if your local high school or trade school offers a course. I learned a lot taking a basic electricity class in 9th grade. Learned enough to be able to pull an electrical permit to wire my parent's basement. Code guy was impressed with my understanding and wiring diagrams. Point is, if you understand the basics, it's not that challenging. If you don't know the basics, it can be downright dangerous. The other item of concern is pulling a permit and getting a final inspection. I rewired the majority of my house, including upgrading to 200 amp service. And had a final inspection. It's one thing to replace switches, outlets and fixtures. Rewiring without a permit can have serious consequences. If you have an electrical fire, insurance may not pay. Go to sell your house, at the very least, you may have to have an electrical inspection. Worst case, you might have to have a licensed electrician redo your work.
09-23-2019, 12:38 AM
The Time-Life and Readers Digest books mentioned earlier should give you what you want. They have large, easy to understand diagrams, and they cover wiring basics, including different setups for 2 and 3 way switches with power coming in at different points in the circuit.
09-23-2019, 12:46 AM
 Older 2nd edition hardcover is $13.44 or less. This book is still being used at our local vocational school. I used it when I attended. :oldfogey: This is an Industrial Electrician primer type book. Motors will help you understand why you replace a ten dollar cap on your AC before you call the HVAC people to fix your AC. Apply the time delay and logic circuits to understand your motion detection lights. Okay $6.24 and free shipping from one seller. Lots of pictures and diagrams. PS My parents had/have the Time life series. How to NAIL sheetrock. Really show their age.
09-23-2019, 01:04 AM
mattkime wrote: It is a little bit more common on commercial jobs to have labeling on the outlets, but residential NEVER does. Laziness and aesthetics mostly. No one wants labels all over their outlets and it is too much work to label the inside. I'm in the midst of rewiring, starting with the easiest and working my way to the hardest spots. Sometimes it is easier to abandon old wires and routes and start new. Especially if you are changing the way it is wired.
09-23-2019, 02:11 AM
"and upgrade a number of outlets to three prong"
Be VERY CAREFUL that you or even an elecrtician does not do a "Bootleg Ground". The life you save may be your's (or a family member). https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Bootleg+groubd&ia=web
09-23-2019, 02:30 AM
testcase wrote: I think I need to repeat what I just read to make sure I understand it - A bootleg ground is when the ground on a receptacle is wired to the work box.
09-23-2019, 04:06 AM
testcase wrote: A number of years ago, my son wanted wanted to add a grounded outlet to the kitchen in their 60s era house, I think so they could plug in a dishwasher. I said it would be a significant job- someone would have to run some 3 conductor romex, lots of fishing in walls to get the romex back to the box, etc. Later on, I heard they got an electrician to do it in an afternoon. Really?? - well, turns out the guy just ran a copper ground wire from an existing box to a clamp on the copper piping of the sink plumbing. I was doubtful that was code, and surprised a licensed electrician would do so. But that was Indiana, maybe 6 years ago. I had helped him install a modern breaker panel in this place, sank a proper ground stake outside - we even pulled a permit and had the inspector come out and tweak a few things. I also added some GFI breakers, since he had a lot of unprotected two wire outlets. When they went to sell the house, the electrician at that point said that because we used GFI breakers, only the first outlet in the circuit was protected. (?!?). I dunno. I get the impression that electricians develop their shortcuts, and their beliefs and practices, and discover when they can get away with shit.
09-23-2019, 04:08 AM
Start with building codes and permits. Don’t mess around with stuff that is beyond what is allowed locally for homeowners to do.
09-23-2019, 03:37 PM
B'man...
It's a great idea. I would definitely start with a book of some sort. I had the Time Life book as a youth, learned a lot, then got the HOme Despot book 25 years ago and learned more from that. Suggestion #1- Get a non-contact voltage sensor. Keep it in your pocket. Test EVERYTHING before you try to work on it. Suggestion #2- Label the breakers as you research your lines. Suggestion #3- Label outlets and switches with the box and breaker. You can put the label inside the switch / outlet plate if you don't want people to see it. Pulling a plate is easy and won't shock you. Suggestion #4 - a nice multimeter is very helpful when you're figuring out what's what. Suggestion #5- Black is hot, white is not. DO NOT DEVIATE FROM THIS. Suggestion #6- Never work on live circuits. [spoiler=But if you get cocky...] But if you 'HAVE' to (really you don't), only touch things with one hand. Keep the other hand in your pocket. A shock from one hand to the other has a higher chance of killing you than a shock from one hand to a leg. Yes, I've worked on live circuits a few times because I HAD to (Mains breaker would not shut off and calling the power company would have been agonizing and I didn't have the time). And I've been shocked a number of times in my life. [/spoiler] |
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