All about Electrical Wiring Types, Sizes, and Installation 0715328866
Much of what you need to know for electrical repairs and
remodeling involves wiring—how to identify it, how to buy it, and how to
install it with proper connections. If you're planning any electrical project,
learning the basics of wiring materials and installation is the best place to
start. Understanding basic wiring terminology and identifying the most common
types of wire and cable will help when investigating wiring problems and when
choosing the wiring for new installation and remodeling projects.
Understanding Wire Sizing
The proper wire size is critical to any electrical wire
installation. Wire sizing indicates the diameter of the metal conductor of the
wire and is based on the American Wire Gauge (AWG) system. The gauge of a wire
relates to the wire's current-carrying capacity, or how much amperage the wire
can safely handle. When choosing the right size of the wire, you must consider
the gauge of the wire, the wire capacity, and what the wire will be used for.
Wires that are not properly matched to the amperage of the
circuits they serve can create a notable risk of short circuit and fire.
Watch Now: How to Match Wire Size to Circuit Amperage
Non-Metallic (NM) Sheathed Cable
Most interior wiring is done with non-metallic, or NM,
cable—also known by the popular brand name "Romex." NM cable is made
of three or more wires wrapped inside a flexible plastic jacket, or sheathing.
It is used for most interior circuits, such as those for outlets, switches, light
fixtures, and appliances. Learn the basics of NM cable to choose the right type
for your next electrical project.
Electrical Wire Color Coding
Color coding is used both on the outer sheathing of bundled
electrical cables and on the individual conduction wires within cables or
inside conduit. Understanding this color coding can help you identify what the
wiring is used for and helps maintain consistency within an electrical system.
Cable coloring relates to the size of the wires inside the
cable and the cable's amperage rating. For example, white-sheathed NM cable is
used for 15-amp circuits, while yellow NM cable is rated for 20-amp circuits.
The coloring on individual conducting wires usually does not
indicate a size or rating but rather the standard or preferred use of the wire.
For example, black and red wires typically are used for current-carrying or
"hot" connections, and white wires usually are grounded
"neutral" conductors. Green-insulated wires and bare copper wires are
used for grounding wires.
Understanding Electrical Wiring Labeling
Electrical wires and cable have markings stamped or printed
on their insulation or outer sheathing. These markings provide important
information about the wiring and insulation, including the wire size and
material, the type of insulation, the number of wires contained (inside a
cable), and any special ratings or characteristics of the wire.
While looking at the color of wire or cable will help you
narrow down the options at the store, reading and understanding the labels on wiring
is the best way to ensure you get the properly rated material for your project.
Direct Burial Cable
Standard electrical cable is designed to be run indoors,
where it stays dry and is protected by a wall, ceiling, or floor structures. For
outdoor projects or when running wiring underground, you must use direct burial
cable, which can be installed underground with or without conduit (depending on
local building code rules). With direct burial cable, the individual conducting
wires are embedded in solid vinyl to fully protect them from moisture.
How to Strip Electrical Wire
Stripping electrical wire involves removing the plastic
insulation surrounding the wire's metal core. It's important to do this
carefully so there is no damage to the metal. The procedure is simple but
requires a special wire stripping tool and an understanding of how to use it.
This is a critical skill—and tool—for DIYers to have for any wiring project.
Maximum Number of Wires Allowed in Conduit
When running individual electrical wires inside conduit,
there is a limit to how many wires are allowed. The maximum allowable number is
known as the "fill capacity," and this depends on several factors,
including the size of the conduit, the gauge of the wires, and the conduit material.
Metal (EMT), plastic (PVC), and flexible conduit all have different fill
capacities, even when they're nominally the same size.
Wiring an Electrical Circuit Breaker Panel
The electrical panel, or service panel, is the power
distribution point of a home electrical system. This is where all of the
individual circuits of the house get their power and where they are protected
by breakers or fuses. Wiring an electrical panel is a job for a licensed
electrician, but DIYers should have a basic understanding of how a panel works
and the critical role that breakers play in any system.
Electrical Disconnect Switches
An electrical disconnect switch provides a means to shut off
the power to a home's electrical system from an outdoor location. It is
typically mounted below the electric meter, either on the side of a home or on
the utility company's power pole. Not all homes have a dedicated disconnect.
They are commonly used when the service panel (which also serves as the main
disconnect) is located indoors and therefore is not accessible to emergency
responders or utility workers. Like electrical service panels, disconnect must
be installed by a licensed electrician.
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