On This Page: Easy Wiring Projects... Installing Electrical Fixtures... Wiring Fundamentals... Wiring For Appliances... Circuit Breakers and Panel Wiring...
Replacing Old, Worn-Out Electrical Outlets:
Loose-fitting plugs are a sure sign of worn-out receptacles (outlets). Replacing old outlets and switches isn't difficult, it just requires some common sense and following the rules.
Adding Outlets To A Workbench
Instead of running extension cords and splitters, I just hot-wired this workbench with a couple of outlets in metal junction boxes, and used part of an extension cord to supply power to the outlets. Power problems solved.
Replacing The End Of An Extension Cord
Or Power Cord
When the end goes bad, don't throw away the whole thing, just replace the bad part.
How To Replace An AC Smoke Detector
It's recommended to replace smoke detectors every 10 years.
And sometimes smoke detectors just go bad.
Replacing an AC interconnected smoke alarm is not difficult and requires just a few tools.
How To Install A Basic Light Fixture
This ordinary light fixture with a glass globe can be installed in a few minutes with common household tools.
Accidentally Cut:
Fixing A Large Electrical Cable
Remodeling work can get a little crazy, and its easy to accidentally cut a wire. Repairing a cut wire requires a junction box and enough slack to make the connections.
On This Page: Easy Wiring Projects... Installing Electrical Fixtures... Wiring Fundamentals... Wiring For Appliances... Circuit Breakers and Panel Wiring...
Installing Outdoor Floodlights
My backyard was too dark, so I ran a wire from the back door area through the attic to the soffit and mounted an outdoor junction box to a rafter. Then I connected a twin bulb-holder and screwed in a couple of compact fluorescent floodlight bulbs. Darkness banished.
Installing A Ceiling Fan
When you open the box, a ceiling fan can seem like a daunting installation project. When the job is broken down, it's not so difficult.
Installing A Chandelier With A Ceiling Medallion
A chandelier is installed like any other light fixture. The medallion adds thickness, so a longer threaded tube and longer screws are required.
Installing A Flush-Mounted Light Fixture
This type of close-to-ceiling light fixture is very popular, but can be tricky to install.
Installing A Track Light
There was no light over the sink in this old house, so we ran some wire through the attic and installed a short section of track.
Installing A Floor Outlet
We often use laptop computers at the kitchen table, and running extension cords across the floor created a tripping hazard. So we cut a hole in the kitchen floor and installed a floor outlet.
Wiring New AC Smoke Detectors
During remodeling I ran some 14-gauge 3-conductor wire throughout the house to supply power to a half-dozen interconnected AC smoke detectors.
If I want to replace the main breaker panel someday, the inspector will require this.
On This Page: Easy Wiring Projects... Installing Electrical Fixtures... Wiring Fundamentals... Wiring For Appliances... Circuit Breakers and Panel Wiring...
Installing A "Remodel" Junction Box In A Wall
When adding new wiring behind existing walls, special "old work" J-boxes are used. These simply clamp to the wallboard, but the hole must be cut carefully.
Remodel Junction Box In A Ceiling
A round hole is cut in the ceiling so the J-box can clamp to the drywall.
Remodel Junction Box In A
Thick Wall - Tips & Techniques
This house had new thincoat plaster over special wallboard... all over wood lath. The wall was very thick so installing "old work" J-boxes was tricky.
Moving An Electrical Outlet By A Few Inches
While installing cabinets, we realized that this outlet was in the wrong spot and needed to be moved over a few inches.
How To Install Cable Clamps In A Metal J-Box
When electrical wiring enters any metal junction box, there must be a way to secure the cable. The most common method is a cable clamp.
Connecting A New Branch To An
Existing Electrical Circuit
To provide power to a new light fixture, we removed an outlet and fished new cable into the junction box. Once the light fixture and switch were done, we connected the new wires to the existing wires behind the outlet.
Connecting A Dimmer Switch
Wiring a dimmer switch is no more complex than an ordinary switch, although many dimmers have short pigtail wires instead of screw connectors.
On This Page: Easy Wiring Projects... Installing Electrical Fixtures... Wiring Fundamentals... Wiring For Appliances... Circuit Breakers and Panel Wiring...
Connecting A Power Cord To An Electric Stove
Many home appliances don't come with a power cord. Connecting a power cord to a stove is straightforward.
Wiring A 50 Amp Outlet For A Stove
Instead of using a bulky surface-mounted range outlet, we installed a large metal junction box during remodeling. After drywall and painting, we installed a big 50 Amp stove outlet. This compact connection allowed the stove to be pushed tight against the wall.
Installing A Non-Venting Range Hood
Since a recirculating-type range hood has no outside vent, there is no ductwork to connect, just the electrical supply.
Installing A Bathroom Exhaust Fan
We installed this super-quiet Panasonic bathroom exhaust fan after the room had been drywalled, because we had good access to the attic above. Installation involved fastening the metal box to the ceiling joists, connecting the ductwork, and wiring the power supply.
On This Page: Easy Wiring Projects... Installing Electrical Fixtures... Wiring Fundamentals... Wiring For Appliances... Circuit Breakers and Panel Wiring...
Wiring A New Circuit In A Breaker Panel
Installing a new electrical circuit means running a cable into the breaker panel, connecting the wires to the right places, and installing a new circuit breaker. Not a difficult job and plenty safe... if you turn off the power to the panel.
Install A Cable Clamp In A Circuit Breaker Panel
When a new electrical cable needs to enter a breaker panel, a metal knockout must be punched out. To protect the insulation and secure the cable, a cable clamp is typically used.
Installing A New Sub-Panel:
When a bunch of new circuits are needed in one part of the house (such as the 2nd floor), it's easier to run one fat cable to a subsidiary panel and then branch out. Read the overview article or parts 1, 2, & 3 below
Part 1 - Cutting A Hole In A Plaster/Lath Wall
The back side of the wall had been gutted for a room remodel project, so cutting the wood lath and plaster was easy... with the right tools.
Part 2 - Changes At The Main Breaker Panel
A big #6-3G cable is brought into the main panel and connected to a 50 Amp tw0-pole circuit breaker.
Part 3 -
Installing And Wiring The New Sub-Panel
The new sub-panel is prepped and fastened to the wall, and the 6-3G subfeed cable is brought into the panel and connected.
On This Page: Easy Wiring Projects... Installing Electrical Fixtures... Wiring Fundamentals... Wiring For Appliances... Circuit Breakers and Panel Wiring...
Need More Electrical Info:
I highly recommend the book
Wiring a House (For Pros By Pros)
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