Wiring Complete Expert Advise From Start To Finish

260 Pages·2009·64.67 MB·English

by  Michael Litchfield

EXPERT ADVICE FROM START TO FINISH
MICHAEL LITCHFIELD
& MICHAEL McALISTER
EXPERT ADVICE FROM START TO FINISH
Text by Michael W. Litchfield and Michael McAlister, Dozens of people made this book possible. We are
© 2008 by The Taunton Press, Inc. especially indebted to the electricians and builders
Photographs © 2008 by The Taunton Press, Inc., except as noted. who got us onto job sites and allowed us to photoqraph
Illustrations © 2008 by The Taunton Press, Inc. them at work. Thanks to old friend Rafael Maldonado
All rights reserved. of Blue Electric in Berkeley, California, for sharing his
vast knowledge and his crew, particularly Isaac Castro,
IT ITheTaunton Jorqe Dominquez, and Carios GUerrero. Huqe thanks to
Press the unflappable Daniel Kealey, Nathan Parker, and Din
]nspira(;on for hand.oon living"
Abdullah of MRM Electrical, Berkeley. LIkewise, Kevin
McCarthy, Simon Jordan, Ki Soo An, and Jimmy Stuart.
The Taunton Press, Inc.,
A million thanks to Mike Zelinka and colleagues at Laner
63 South Main Street, PO Box 5506,
Electric in Richmond, California.
Newtown, CT 06470-5506
We are qrateful to Jana Olson, Karen Cornell, and John
e-mail: [email protected]
Nicoles of Omega Too Lighting In Berkeley for the excel
lent sequences of lamp and chandelier repair. Thanks
Editors: Matthew Teague, Helen Albert also to Nowell's Antique Lightinq in Sausalito, California.
Copy editor: Candace 8. Levy Hats off to Jamie Carlen and Chris D'Andrea of
Indexer: Jay Kreider Jamie Carlen & Co., Berkeley; and Chip Harfey, Jesus
Jacket/Cover design: Kimberly Adis Beltran, and Gelber Guzman of Holfand-Harley. Thanks
Interior design: Kimberly Adis to supremely talented architect Gary Earl Parsons of
Layout: Cathy Cassidy Berkeley and his associate Cecil Lee.
Illustrator: Trevor Johnston Thanks to Roqer Robinson of the Star inspection
Photographer: Michael Litchfield, except where noted. Group, Oakland, California, for letting us cherry-pick his
photo archiVe of code violations; Casablanca Fans for
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data product shots; Muffy Kibbey for photos of the handsome
Litchfield, Michael. kitchen in the planninq chapter; and Ken Gutmaker for
Wiring complete / Michael Litchfield and Michael McAlister. --Rev. ed. photos that first appeared in Renovation, 3rd Edition
p. em. (Taunton, 2005).
Includes index. Thanks to homeowners Catherine Moncrleff and
ISBN 978+6008S~256~5 Stuart Brotman, Martha and Dean Rutherford, Judith
1. Electric wiring, Interior. 2. Dwellings-'Electric equipment. I. McAlister, Michael. and Stanley Lubman, Laurie Case, and Andy Baker.
II. Title. Finally, high-fives to the Taunton Press family and
TK3285.L542008b friends, Including Executive Editor Helen Albert, Wendl
62I.3F24~~dc22 Mijal, Matthew Teaque, Jennifer Peters, Nicole Palmer,
200B054144 Julie Hamilton, Sandor Naqyszalanczy, Rex Cauldwell,
Clifford Popejoy, Joseph Truini, Mike Guertin, and
Fernando Paqes Rulz.
-Michael Litchfield and Michael McAlister
Printed in the United States of America
1098765432
The following manufacturers/names used in Wiring Complete are trademarks: Adapt-Touch™, American Aldes™, BernzOmatic™, Broan-NuTonesM, Capsylite®,
Casablanca® Fan Co., Channeliock®, Clikstrip®, Code Check®, Condulet®, COPALUM®, Cutler'Hammer®, Decora®, DeWALT®, Fantech®, Federal Pacific®,
Fluke®, Greenlee® Nail Eater™, Grip-lok™, Halogen Capsylite®, Hubbell®, Hunter®, Ideal®, InSinkErator®, International Code Council®, Juno®, Kelvar®,
Klein ToolsTM, Knipex®, Kobe®, Legrand®, lemnis®, Leviton®, Ughtolier®, lutron®, Milwaukee®, National Electrical Code®, Nouvelie® fan, Panasonic®,
Panduit®, Philiips®, PowerFast®, Romex®, Roto-Spilt®, Rotozip®, Scandia® fan, Seatek®, Snap-Tite®, Speed® Square, Square D®, Strap Gun®, Tech
Ughting®, Tech lightingS"I, Vol'Con® lite, Watt Stopper®, WD-40®, Wiggy®, Wire'Nut®, Zinsco®
Wiring is inherently dangerous. Using hand or power tools improperly or ignoring safety practices can lead to permanent injury or even
death. Don't try to perform operations you learn about here (or elsewhere) unless you're certain they are safe for you. If something
about an operation doesn't feel right, don't do it. Look for another way. We want you to enjoy working on your home, so please keep
safety foremost in your mind.
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TOOLS & MATERIALS
22 Hand Tools 40 Choosing Receptacles
6 Understanding Electricity 23 Power Tools & Switches
7 Working Safely 24 Electrical Testers 42 Back-Wired Devices
43 Testing for Power
8 Service Panels ELECTRICA~ BOXES
10 Home Electrical Systems WIRING RECEF'TACLES
25 Choosing Electrical Boxes
12 Grounding Basics Z1 Installing New 44 Two Ways to Wire a Receptacle
14 Evaluating the Electrical Work Boxes 45 Wiring a Duplex Receptacle
System
28 Removing Knockouts 47 Making Receptacle Boxes
CUTTING POWER 29 Mounting Devices Flush to Orywall
48 Wiring a GFCI Receptacle
16 Cutting Power at CABLES & WIRES
the Panel 49 Wiring a Split-Tab Receptacle
30 Cable & Conduit
TESTING DEVICES
32 Cable Clamps & Clips
17 Testing with a Neon 33 Securing Cable to 50 Testing a Single-Pole Switch
Tester Framing 51 Testing a Three-Way Switch
18 Testing with an 34 Stripping Cable with 51 Testing a Four-Way Switch
Inductance Tester a Utility Knife
WIRING SWITCHES
35 Stripping Cable with
a Cable Ripper 52 Wiring a Single-Pole Switch
36 Choosing Wire 53 Single-Pole Switch
37 Stripping & Splicing Wires with Back-Fed Wiring
54 Replacing a Single-Pole Switch
56 Wiring a Linear Slide Dimmer
58 Roughing In a Three-Way Switch
59 Wiring a Three-Way Switch
60 Wiring a Back-red Three-Way Switch
61 Wiring a Four-Way Switch
WIRING SPECIALTY SWITCHES
62 Wiring a SWitch/Receptacle Combo
63 Wiring a Double Switch
63 Wiring a Motion Detector
.
64 Wiring an Electronic Timer Switch
...
, 65 Wiring a Manual Timer
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; UNDERCABINET ... TOOLS & MATERIALS
68 Fixture Wiring fLUORESCENTS 122 Multimedia Cables
69 Bulb Types 92 Undercablnet -: & Connectors
Fluorescent Fixtures 123 Stripping Cable
110 Troubleshooting
• • •
a Doorbell
70 Testing Lamps & •
Removing Old Wires 113 Replacing a Ooorbell 124 Extending a Phone Line
94 Low-Voltage Systems Switch
72 Rewiring a Lamp 126 Mounting a New Jack
95 Installing Low-Voltage 114 Installing a Chime Unit
74 Replacing a Plug
cable Lighting 115 Installing a Doorbell DISTRIBUTION PANELS
75 Refurbishing a
Chandelier 95 Anchoring Low-Voltage Transformer 127 Mounting a Media
Standoffs Distribution Panel
THERMOSTATS
BASIC fiXTURES 96 Running Cable 130 Running Cables to a
78 Mounting Light Fixtures 97 Tensioning Cables 116 Testing an Old Media Distribution Panel
Thermostat
80 Installing a Simple 98 Locating the Canopy 117 Installing a 131 aCto tnhnee cPtainnge l Cables
Porcelain Fixture 99 Mounting the Box & Programmable
• Wiring the Transformer Thermostat
101 Installing the Canopy
82 Removing an Existing
Wall Sconce 102 Attaching the reed Rods 132 Locating the
& Fixtures 118 Replacing a Furnace Multimedia Outlet
83 Connecting a New Transformer
Sconce 133 Installing Cable
Connectors
84 Installing Halogen Bulbs
& Accessories 103 Installing Low-Voltage 134 Connecting Panduit
Jacks
Monorail Track Lighting
CHANDELIERS 135 Installing Leviton Jacks
104 Locating the Track
85 Prepping & Mounting & Standoffs 136 Attaching Jacks to
a Ceiling Box an Outlet Plate
105 Mounting & Wiring
86 Disconnecting a the Transformer
Chandelier
106 Hanging the Track
f57 Installing a Chandelier
107 Installing the Light
RECESSED LIGHTING Fixtures
88 Cutting a Ceiling Hole
lor Recessed Lighting
90 Wiring a Recessed
Fixture
91 Securing the Can
WIRIN.G. :.rI PS
140 Before You Begin •• • GETTING S:rARTED
158 Inspecting the Fuse Box 178 Rough-In Basics
or Breaker Panel
141 Choosing a Bathroom Fan 180 Tools for Rough-In 202 Flexible Metal Cable
160 Assessing Wiring
142 Locating a Bathroom Fan Condition 182 Materials for Rough-In 203 Installing AC Cable
143 Installing the Roof Vent 161 Is the System Ade.q.u ately 184 Laying Out the Job 204 Installing MC cable
145 Mounting the Fan Box Sized? • :0 205 CWoonrkdiunigt with EMT Steel
146 Retrofitting a Bathroom ••• •
186 Installing Wall Boxes 206 Making Turns with Metal
ran
163 Common Code 187 Installing Ceiling Boxes Conduit
147 Wiring a Bathroom Fan
Requirements 207 rlshing Cable & Conduit
••• RUNNING CABLE
164 General-Use Circuit 208 Prepping Receptacles
Requirements 188 Drilling for Cable for Surface Metal Boxes
149 Mounting & Dueling
a Ranqe Hood 189 Pulling Cable 209 Wiring Outlets
WORKING DRAWINGS
150 Wiring the Range Hood 190 Feeding Cable through
165 Developing a Floor Plan Corners
CEILING FANS 168 Electrical Notation 191 Fishing Cable behind
152 Installing the Ceiling 170 Receptacles rlnish Walls
Fan Box 172 Switches & Lights 192 .Fi.s hing Cable to a
154 Mounting the Ceiling ran 174 Receptacles. Switches & Ceiling Fixture
Lights
194 Cutting a Wall Box into
Plaster
194 Cutting a Wall Box Into
Drywall
195 Retrofitting a Ceiling Box
196 Creating a Wiring Trench
197 Retrofitting Boxes &
Pulling Cable
MAKING UP BOXES
198 Making Up an Outlet 80x
199 Making Up a Light Can
200 Making Up a Single
Switch Box
201 Making Up a Multigang
Switch Box
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212 A QulckLook at • •
Kitchen Appliances
224 Planning Your Outdoor 238 Understanding Service
213 Preparing an Unfinished System Panels & Subpanels
Appliance Cord
225 Choosing Outdoor Lights 240 Sizing Panels. Subpanels
GARBAGE DISPOSERS 226 Tools & Materials & Conductors
214 Installing a Garbage OUTDOOR OUTLETS CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Disposer
228 Tapping Into an Existing 242 Adding a Circuit 8reaker
•
Outlet
SUBPANELS
216 Roughing In an Oven 230 Mounting & Wiring an
Outlet Exterior Outlet 244 Installing a Subpanel
217 Wiring a Drop-In Oven OUTBUILDINGS
2.31 Ru.nn ing Power to
an O.u..tb uilding
"
218 Wiring Laundry Setups
~ ,
220 Installlnq Baseboard
233 Installing Low-Voltage
Heaters
Path Lights
221 Electric Water Heaters
MOTION-SENSOR LIGHTS
235 Installing a Motion
Sensor Ught
INTRODUCTIO
Electrical wiring requires atten
tion to detail, patience. and a
little dexterity. but it's nothing the
average homeowner can't tackle.
Before you buckle on that tool belt,
however. take a few moments to
read the first section. which pro·
vides an overview of electrical
systems and a handful of essential
safety tips. Section Two walks you
through the tools you'll need and
various techniques you'll use again
and again. The remainder of the
book takes you through every
step of the wiring process-from
replacing an old light fixture to
wiring an entire house.
Before you buy tools and materi
als, however, check with local build
ing code authorities. Although most
local building codes do not forbid an tors are usually knowledgeable: They
owner's doing his or her own elec can tell you if local codes conform
trical work. most require a rough to the National Electrical Code® or,
inspection-that is, before wires are if not, how they vary. Finally, check
connected to switches, receptacles with your insurance agent to make
and so on-and a final inspection sure that doing your own electrical
when everything is wired, trimmed, work won't jeopardize your home
and tested. Besides, building inspec- owners insurance coverage.
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ORKING WITH
LECTRICITY
BEFORE WORKING WITH electricity, es.entlol to worklnll sofely. Alwoys follow
you should hove 0 basic understond- the Instructions corefully, use opproprlote
Inll of how It works. This chopter Is sofety equipment, ond when In doubt con
desillned to IIlve you 0 quick overview of the suit 0 licensed electrlclon.
electrlcol system In your home, Includlnll aefore belllnnlnll work, check with locol
the moJor components. Since IIroundlnll Is bulldlnll authorities to moke sure locol
e.sentlol to keeplnll you sofe, we cover thot requlotlons ollow you to do your own work
In detoll. We'll olso show how to do 0 boslc ond thot you ore conformlnll to locol code
Inspection of your home for wlrlnll prob requirements.
lems. Respectlnll the power of electricity Is
4