Do-it-yourself electrical projects are very rewarding. You’re taking care of your own home, learning new skills and saving money on tasks that are often very doable for a smart, diligent and careful person. However, working with electricity is dangerous, and that’s why the world needs licensed electricians like me.
If you have a few projects around the house, don’t be afraid to dig in. Swapping out a light fixture, adding a USB-charging receptacle or replacing a switch with a dimmer are perfect starter tasks. Below, I’ll walk you through some common wiring tips and safety issues so you can be a more confident DIYer.
If you ever feel the task is too complex, especially regarding your electrical service panel, that’s a good time to call a pro.
Electrical Safety
The first rule of electricity club is: Turn off the breaker! Never start a project without double-checking that the power is off. Old-timers talk of when “working hot” was the norm, and I’ve had to do it a few times myself when turning off the power would cause a major disruption. It is scary as heck and dangerous. There is no need for you to do it in your home.
Carry a non-contact voltage detector in your tool bag and use it whenever you do electrical work.
Read the Instructions
“Instructions? Who needs ’em?” some may thing. Well, you do. I do, too, and that’s why I read the paperwork, especially when doing something new. Manufacturers are very detailed when it comes to explaining how to put in their devices, and the National Electrical Code (NEC) actually requires that you follow their advice. I know electricians who immediately throw away the instructions, and believe me, those are the guys (and gals) who screw things up.
Uncoil Cable Without Kinks
Non-metallic sheathed cable (NM-B), better known as Romex, is often solid copper, and it’s tough pulling it through your walls or framing if you don’t uncoil it first. Electricians have a few tricks for this, but one easy way is to grab a handful of coils from the roll and just give it a toss. Then, walk along the length and straighten it out (you can even step on it as you go). Leave the rest of the wire contained in the packaging.
Take Pictures
This tip will save you tons of time if you’re replacing a fixture or you have to take apart multiple splices. Snap a few pics with your phone before you undo anything so you can refer back to them when it’s time to put in the new fixture. Labeling your wires with electrical tape and a Sharpie will help, too.
Check the Wall Void
Cutting a hole in the wall for a switch or receptacle outlet? Find the studs first, then run your stud finder over the entire section to see if you find any other obstructions. There may be wires, pipes or blocking that could screw up the placement of your new device or your ability to pull wire.
When you cut the hole, make the horizontal cuts first. If you run into an obstruction, make that spot the new outside edge of your outlet. Then, just turn your saw around and go back the other way.
Fishing Basics
Fishing wire through walls is an exercise in patience and perseverance. There’s nothing more depressing than hearing the “thunk” of your fish stick (aka glow rod or fish rod) hitting a header you didn’t realize was there. If you plan on renovating a lot, invest in a set of quality fish sticks and a long flex bit for drilling in hard-to-reach spaces.
If you’re just adding a single receptacle, and you have access to the top of the wall, use your tape measure as an impromptu fish stick. Just drop it down to your new outlet, tape a string or your Romex right to it, and pull it up through the cavity.
Make No-Snag Connections
Fish tape, a thin, flexible metal or nylon wire-pulling tool, is often used to snake wire through pipes. It also works well through walls, floors and studs, as long as the hooked end doesn’t get snagged on something. To make a smooth transition on the end of your fish tape, strip off six to eight inches of the sheathing from your NM-B cable.
Cut off all but one wire, trimming the cable at a steep angle to avoid leaving a “shoulder.” Slide the single long wire through the end of the fish tape, fold it over, and wrap the electrical tape tightly around the entire head (including the cut-off edge of the Romex). As you wrap the tape, smooth out any bumps to make the head as smooth as you can.
Pack Boxes Neatly
I just replaced a receptacle with one I can charge my phone with, and the box was so messy that I spent an hour straightening up the wires. Jammed boxes with lots of extra nonsense call you out as an amateur, so take the time to neatly fold and push bundles of wires to the back of the box, using pigtails or short pieces of wire to attach to the device (when you have room).
Speaking of room, stuffing too many wires in an electrical box is a code violation. The NEC periodically updates “box fill” requirements, so find out which code cycle your jurisdiction follows to ensure you’re keeping things legal.
Label Your Breakers
This is a fantastic entry-level project that makes your life easier and your house safer. When I moved into my current house, I needed to turn off the dishwasher circuit to replace a drain pump. Was it the breaker labeled “dishwasher”? Nope! That one controlled the countertop receptacles. For some reason, electrical panels are very rarely properly labeled.
Enlist a friend, and start flipping breakers. If you don’t have a willing pal, buy a circuit tracer, which is very affordable nowadays, a receptacle tester, or just use a loud radio. Plug it in, turn it up, and flip the breakers until the radio goes off. Once you have the breakers worked out, label them somewhere inside or near the electrical panel.
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