Wiring a House

by Cauldwell, Rex

• ISBN13: 9781561583324
• ISBN10: 1561583324
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: Taunton

Summary

Master electrician Rex Cauldwell has been wiring houses for almost 30 years and has earned a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable, practical electricians in the country. Now, for the first time, Cauldwell offers the insights he's learned over time and on the job in one complete, no-nonsense reference.

Author Biography

Rex Cauldwell is a master electrician and master plumber in rural Virginia. He has over two decades of wiring experience and is also a lightning specialist. He has written numerous articles on wiring for magazines, including Fine Homebuilding

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(3)
Residential Electricity	4	(24)
How Electricity Flows	4	(3)
Wires: Past and Present	7	(8)
Power Generation	15	(6)
Anatomy of a Residential Electrical System	21	(7)
Tools of the Trade	28	(18)
General Tools	29	(4)
Ac-Powered Tools	33	(6)
Cordless Tools	39	(2)
Specialized Tools	41	(4)
Safety Equipment	45	(1)
The Service Entrance	46	(16)
Locating The Meter Base	48	(1)
Aerial Service Entrance	49	(9)
Buried Service Entrance	58	(1)
Connecting Meter Base to Service Panel	59	(3)
The Main Panel	62	(12)
Elements of the Main Panel	62	(3)
Sizing the Main Panel	65	(2)
Choosing a Main Panel	67	(2)
Balancing the Load	69	(1)
Subpanels	70	(4)
Grounding	74	(16)
Grounding Offers Protection	74	(4)
The Grounding System	78	(6)
What to Ground	84	(6)
The Wiring System	90	(22)
Laying Out Receptacles and Switches	90	(6)
Routing Wires in New Construction	96	(10)
Routing Wires in Renovation Work	106	(6)
Fuses and Circuit Breakers	112	(12)
Fuses	113	(4)
Circuit Breakers	117	(7)
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters	124	(10)
How a Gfci Works	125	(1)
Types of Gfcis	126	(3)
Where Ground-Fault Protection is Required	129	(2)
Wiring Receptacle Gfcis	131	(1)
Wiring Circuit-Breaker Gfcis	132	(1)
Test Gfcis Frequently	132	(2)
Receptacles and Boxes	134	(32)
Receptacle Boxes	134	(11)
Receptacle	145	(9)
Polarity	154	(3)
Wiring and Installation	157	(9)
Switches	166	(16)
Switch Boxes	166	(4)
Switch Grades	170	(3)
Types of Switches	173	(4)
Light Dimmers	177	(4)
Fan Speed Controls	181	(1)
Wiring Fixtures	182	(18)
Choose the Right Box	182	(2)
Incandescent Lights	184	(1)
Fluorescent Lights	184	(3)
Ceiling Fans	187	(5)
Smoke Detectors	192	(1)
Track Lighting	192	(3)
Outdoor Light Fixtures	195	(3)
Recessed Lights	198	(2)
Wiring Appliances	200	(19)
Kitchen Appliances	200	(7)
Baseboard Heaters	207	(4)
Electric Wall Heaters	211	(1)
Utility-Room Appliances	212	(3)
Garage-Door Opener	215	(1)
Submersible Pumps	215	(2)
Whirlpool Tub and Spa	217	(2)
Index	219