Home Wiring Basics That You Should Know

The service entrance is the equipment that brings electrical power to the home. Most residential service includes three wires: two cables carrying 120 volts each (for a total of 240 volts) and one grounded neutral wire. If the cables are hung overhead, they are collectively called a service drop.

How to Wire a Simple 120v Electrical Circuit. Hiring an electrician is usually the best way to go where 120 volt circuits are concerned, but if you are up to it, you might save money by doing some basic electrical work yourself. This...

Wiring Diagrams for 2-way Switches, 3-way Switches, 4-way Switches, Outlets and More. Wiring a 2-Way Switch How to wire a 2 way switch, How to Change or Replace a Basic On/Off 2-Way Switch Wiring a 3-Way Switch How to wire a 3 way switch, How To Wire A 3-Way Switch Circuit and Teach You How The Circuit Works. Wiring a 4-way switch

The wires, or conductors, in those circuits are classified based on wiring type, size, and color, and it is the color of the wire’s insulation which designates the function of the wire. Understanding the information those colors convey helps you work with greater safety and ease when troubleshooting an electrical problem or making repairs or improvements to your electrical system.

Basic wire sizing guide for US 120 and 240 volts. Added by: snoofer . Useful info: # = American Wire Gauge (AWG), the lower the number the larger the wire guage. "Service cable" is large insulated stranded copper cable (usually refers to single #4 wire and up).

For example, if a wire of too small gauge is used with a high amp break, then the wire can overheat and catch fire long before the circuit breaker ever trips. On the other hand, if a too large of a gauge wire is used with a low amp breaker then the breaker may continuously trip, disrupting the circuit before the wire ever reaches its maximum electrical load.

The color of a cable’s outer sheath tells you the gauge of the wire inside the sheath as well as the amperage rating for the circuit. WHITE = 14-gauge wire, 15-amp circuit. YELLOW = 12-gauge wire, 20-amp circuit. ORANGE = 10-gauge wire, 30-amp circuit. BLACK = 8- or 6-gauge wire, 45- or 60-amp circuits.

Basic House Wiring Rules. The first rule to remember is that basic house wiring can be dangerous. Never attempt to do it without a good understanding of how it works and safe work practices. This article is intended to provide basic information and is not a comprehensive discussion of all aspects of house wiring.

Circuit Drawings and Wiring Diagrams Electrician 8 Youth Explore Trades Skills Activity 2: Basic Wiring Diagram • Have students produce a basic wiring diagram. • The wiring diagram will show the circuit students will wire in Wiring Devices and Wiring a Wall Section. • The diagram should show incoming power feeding a receptacle.

Wires running inside NM cable, Bx cable, or conduit are sized according to each circuit's amperage. Wire size is given in its gauge number. The lower the gauge, the larger the wire, and the more current it can handle. For example, wiring for 20-amp circuits is 12-gauge, which is heavier than the 14-gauge wiring used for 15-amp circuits.