Month: October 2020

7 Types Of Light Switches To Consider When You’re Rewiring Your Home

October 30, 2020 | Cristina Dinulescu

Everyone knows that a light switch is used to open and close the electrical circuits. This way, electricity can flow freely to different appliances and lights. There are many types of light switches available on the market today. Traditional switches continue to be largely used in many homes, however, newer models have definitely registered a boost.

Selecting the right light switch for your home when you’re rewiring or maybe even updating your entire electrical panel might not seem like a big deal, but these can make all the difference in the world. Of course, safety comes first and foremost in any such projects, but that’s not to say you can’t also add some style.

That is why it pays off to understand what types of switches are out there, what the purpose each serves and how they function. This way, you will be able to male the right choice for each space in your home.

1. Single Pole Toggle Light Switch

The single pole is one of the most popular types of light switches on the market. These have ON and OFF functions and they are used for controlling the light fixtures. This switch is made up of one input and one output contact to switch one circuit.

They are equipped with two brass terminal screws, with two colored wires on the circuit. There are newer models of this type of switch which have a green grounding screw connecting the circuit to the ground wire. These models are a safer option than traditional ones.

The principle on which they function is pretty straightforward: you flip the switch to turn the lights on and you flip it back down to turn them off. Toggle light switches are a simple, popular solution and they work nicely for general lighting purposes. So, chances are people will still prefer them for simple lighting solutions, even though there are plenty of other alternatives on the market.

2. Push Button Light Switch

Another popular option when it comes to types of light switches is the push button one. This model is very simple to use and works excellently in any home. This light switch is mainly used in bathrooms and sometimes, it is wired to lighting as well as the exhaust fan.

Push-button light switches come in several variations. While some are designed to keep the button recessed once you push it, others require you to press the button and it will return to a normal position. Whichever model you decide to purchase is really a matter of personal preference.

Some prefer switches that remain recessed due to the mode or position the light is currently in. Also, this feature helps you know if something is wrong – if the light should be on, for instance, but it’s not. This is not the only type of switch to do so. Other models can help in this department as well.

3. Three-Way Types of Light Switches

The three-way light switches are quite different from the standard options for the simple fact that they can control a series of lights from more than one location. This is why typically they are installed in stairways and hallways. You can turn on overhead lights from different corners of a room.

Also, you might notice this type of light switches installed in garages and basements, as they can provide easy access to light in darker spaces. Another difference between the three-way light switches and the standard ones is the on and off markings, which are missing from this model.

4. Proximity Light Switch

Whether it’s because of cost or environmental concerns, saving up on energy is always a good decision. If you want to cut down on your energy consumption, then you should go for the proximity light switches, as these are highly useful. They turn the light on when you are in the room and switch it off when you leave, due to what it’s called vacancy or occupancy sensors. They both turn off automatically, but the vacancy you have to turn on manually, while the occupancy ones turn on automatically as well.

Of course, when choosing this model you don’t have as much control over your lighting, something a lot of people find appealing. They prefer to be the ones switching on the lights or choosing the level of intensity. However, if saving energy is your primary concern, then this is the option for you.

5. Dimmer Light Switch

The dimmer light switch has gained a lot of popularity because it allows users to have control over the light’s intensity level. With this switch, you can adjust how bright you want the light to be in a room to create the desired atmosphere.

These switches come with a rounded knob or a level, which can be either raised or lowered to determine the desired amount of light. Lately, newer models entered the market and these are touch switches. The longer you hold your finger on the sensor pad, the brighter the light becomes. If you decide to install dimmer light switches in your home, make sure that you pair them only with dimmer-capable light bulbs, lighting fixtures and lamps.

6. Sound Activated Types of Light Switches

Convenience is a strong desire for people today. We all want things as fast, smooth and convenient as possible. As a result, light switches that are simple to use are very popular. However, if you want to turn the lights off without having to press a button, there aren’t that many options to choose from. You have the motion-activated light switches, but these aren’t exactly used indoors. Homeowners use these models outdoors for security purposes.

Sound activation is a highly convenient method to activate the lighting in your home and there are switches on the market which are capable of detecting sound. You could turn the light on or off by snapping your fingers.

This technology is not exactly new. It’s been around for quite some time, now. We all remember the commercial that introduced the light switch activated by hand-clapping, turning it into a real hit. You can still find this option on the market and, what’s even better, the technology has since improved.

The switch solution itself is very simple, as it is plugged into a normal electrical receptacle. When you clap your hands, the light turns on or off.

7. Smart Light Switches

Smart light switches are a great way to modernize your entire home. These are WiFi compatible and they allow you to control the lighting using a tablet or a smartphone. This option offers homeowners a huge amount of control over the lighting, allowing them to set the mood in each room. However, if this option appeals to you, make sure you’re using light bulbs that are compatible with both smart home lighting and smart light switches.

If you want, you can even pair these switches with your Amazon Alexa or Google home device and activate your light through your voice. You could even pre-set lighting preferences. Another huge benefit is that smart lighting can be used as a security feature. You can set them to turn on and off the interior lights when you’re not home. Also, around the exterior of your home if motion is detected. This way, you’ll know if you have unwanted guests lurking around. You can read more about smart home features in our guide.

The right electrical upgrade can dramatically improve the value and appearance of any home or business. You’ll be amazed at what a difference the right electrical upgrade can make for your home or business. Make sure that when you select an electrical company to do the enhancement of your home and you have decided to take your enhancement to the level where you require an electrical upgrade that the technician at the company has a good working knowledge and the experience to properly guide you in this area.

When you decide to upgrade, our well-trained and certified electricians have all the experience and training needed to complete your electrical panel upgrade project from start to finish, with a minimum of fuss or disturbance. Please contact us right away at 310-800-2401

What’s the Difference Between GFCI Receptacle and GFCI Circuit Breaker?

Find out the difference between a GFCI receptacle and a GFCI breaker in terms of functionality, usage and installation requirements.

Extension Cord Safety: 6 Tips To Using It Safely

October 26, 2020 | Cristina Dinulescu

Extension cords are a convenient, simple way to bring power to electrical devices, but at the same time, these must be used with caution. They can easily overheat and when used improperly, they represent fire hazards. With around 3,300 home fires originating in extension cords each year, causing the death of 50 people and injuring more than 270, they should be regarded as a temporary solution and treated with care. There are several extension cord safety rules you can follow to protect your home and prevent tragedies.

As said, extension cords are only a temporary solution. If you require a better electric system or perhaps you need more outlets, then you might need an electrical panel upgrade or a sub-panel addition. If you are using extension cords, then follow these safety guidelines to keep your house or workspace safe.

1. Buy The Proper Extension Cords

If you decide to use extension cords, it is important to opt for the suitable product. So, here are some factors to consider:

only purchase those cords that have been approved by an independent testing laboratory;
extension cords that will be used in outdoor projects need to be marked accordingly, for outdoor use;
choose polarized or three-prong plug cords;
thick, round, low-gauge extension cords are suitable for large appliances, whereas this or flat cords are best for smaller appliances and electronics.

Also, make sure that you read the instructions regarding the cord’s correct usage and amount of power it draws.

2. Use The Right Size

Using the right cords in terms of size is essential for extension cord safety. They vary both in amperage limits and length. So, before you go shopping, make sure you know what your needs are. Look for extension cords that are fitted (rated) to handle the wattage of the appliance you will use the cord with. The cord’s gauge is the one indicating its size. So, the smaller the number, the larger the wire and most importantly, the more electrical current it can safely handle.

Also, you need to take into account the length of the extension cord. Short cords can handle more current than larger ones of the same gauge.

To make it simpler for you, have a look over this table, containing cord lengths and their amperage.

Length / Gauge	20 to 50 feet	Up to 100 feet	150 feet
10-gauge	16-20 Amps	16-20 Amps	11-15 Amps
12-gauge	16-20 Amps	14-15 Amps	8-10 Amps
14-gauge	14-15 Amps	11-13 Amps	1-7 Amps
16-gauge	1-13 Amps	1-10 Amps	–

3. Check For Damage

It is very important to check the state of your extension cord. It needs to be in good condition in order for it not to pose any danger. So, whenever you’re ready to use an extension cord, carefully check the entire length of the cord to make sure that there aren’t any punctures or cracks in the insulation.

If you do notice any, don’t attempt to fix them yourself by patching them up with electrical tape. Damaged extension cords should not be used, as they represent a hazard risk. The best thing to do in this situation is to replace them.

If this is the case, the extension cord disposal needs to be done carefully, by looking for an e-waste facility that can recycle its materials.

4. Follow Extension Cord Safety Rules For Usage

Following specific safety rules is not only important, but essential when it comes to protecting your home and office. So, here are the guidelines you need to be aware of:

Do not remove an extension cord’s grounding pin to make it fit into a two-prong outlet;
Do not use a single cord to power up multiple appliances;
Do not use indoor extension cords for outdoor projects;
Do not multiple cords together;
Avoid running extension cords under the furniture or rugs;
Do not tape extension cords to floors or other surfaces with staples or nails;
Do not bend or coil cords when they’re in use;
Use child proof covers to cover unused cord receptacles;
Stop using extension cords if they feel hot to the touch.

5. Maintain Cords Properly

When you are not using the extension cords, these need to be maintained adequately. Here are a few rules you need to consider:

extension cords need to be stored indoors;
always unplug the cords, when they are not in use;
dispose of damaged cords;
when disconnecting it from the outlet, pull the plug, not the cord.

6. Avoid Common Extension Cord Safety Mistakes

There are several common safety mistakes people tend to make when using extension cords. It’s wise to know what they are in order to avoid making them as well.

Extension cords plugged together

You might require a long extension cord. However, the solution is not to string smaller ones together, but rather to select the correct length from the beginning. “Daisy-chaining” extension cords could lead to overheating, exposing your home to a significant fire risk.

Exceeding the rating of the cord

This is a common error particularly in offices allowing space heaters, but also in the case of larger appliances. Extension cords have wattage limits and these need to be respected. Otherwise, you might be exposing yourself to a significant fire hazard. Cheaper extension cords use internal wiring, size 16 gauge, which is rated only for 10 amps. A typical 1500 watt space heater, for example, draws 12.5 amps, clearly overloading the extension cord. So, to keep things safe, plug power-hungry appliances directly into the wall receptacle and avoid using an extension cord altogether.

Tripping over extension cords

Often, extension cords are made into tripping hazards. People trip over longer extension cords, if these are not stored properly. That is why you need to get the cord out of the way of foot traffic. However, you don’t want to do that by using metal staples or nails.

Using extension cords to connect wires in the attic or above suspended ceilings

Extension cords can’t be used just anywhere. For instance, ceiling-mounted electrical equipment, like projectors in training and meeting rooms, should not be installed with a cord. These are just accidents waiting to happen. For the installation to be done correctly in these locations, there must be a receptacle mounted flush with the ceiling, and the unit’s power cord should be visible at all times. There are specific requirements for using extension cords outside as well. The maximum period you’re allowed to use one outdoors is 6 months, and that usually applies to Christmas lights.

4 Steps To Take When You See a Downed Power Line

October 23, 2020 | Cristina Dinulescu

Electrical safety is an important issue and people need to be more aware of what it means and how they can make sure they’re taking all necessary measures. A downed power line represents quite a big hazard, and one of the things you could do is review all safety rules and tips with your loved ones, friends and even neighbors.

In fact, a power line is usually associated with several dangers, like metallic balloons coming into contact with the lines, causing power outages. This is why you need to keep them at distance and release them outdoors.

Bad, stormy weather can cause power lines to fall, which can create electrifying wet grass, puddles, or the entire surrounding areas for that matter. If you are exposed to such a phenomenon, the smart thing to do would be to assume that downed power lines are energized and dangerous and stay as far away from them as possible. Keep a distance of at least 35 feet from downed power lines.

Downed power lines need to be handled correctly, by experts using special equipment and as long as these remain unattended they are dangerous to others. That’s not to say there’s nothing you can do, check out below the four essential steps one needs to take when noticing a downed power line. Keep them in mind if you ever come across one.

1. Avoid Touching The Downed Power Line

Even though some people may believe that there’s no danger in touching power lines when they’ve fallen, because they are insulated, that is not factually correct. Another reason for which people believe fallen power lines are safe to touch is that birds often perch on them without getting injured. None of these facts is true.

Unlike humans, birds do not touch the ground, which is why they are safe. Humans are a source for electricity to clamp onto due to their direct connection with the earth. Anything that provides electricity with a new path to the ground is at risk for shock.

This is actually why downed power lines are dangerous. So, the golden rule for downed power line safety is to keep your distance. Whatever you do, never touch them. For your own safety, as well as those around you, always assume that the downed power line is live and follow the following guidelines:

Avoid touching the fallen downed line both directly with your hand and with any object like a stick, pole or broom.
Avoid touching anyone or anything that was in contact with a downed power line, like a car, equipment or object.

2. Keep A Safe Distance From The Downed Power Line

Make sure you keep 35 feet between you and the fallen power line. Just to give you an idea, 35 feet represent the length of a bus or three cars. Also, try to avoid moving or investigating a fallen power line and advise others to do the same and return to safety.

When moving away from a fallen power line, try to shuffle. Make small steps to gradually back away. Always keep your feet on the ground, close together so you won’t attract the electrical current. Also, keep your pets as far away from the downed power line as possible, and avoid driving over it.

Speaking of cars, if your vehicle should come into contact with a fallen power line, follow the following safety guidelines:

Stay inside the vehicle. The ground around your car may be energized.
Sound the horn and roll down your window to call for help.
Warn others of your situation. Touching the equipment or ground around your vehicle could injure them.

3. Report It

Remember that when a power line goes down, it could still be live. Because most fall in populated areas, with moving vehicles and people, it is essential that you report it and call for help right away.

Calling 911 is the first thing you do as soon as you notice a downed power line. And wait until you receive further instructions from the fire department, the police or the electric company, before exiting your car.

4. Follow Safety Rules When Using Balloons or Working Around Power Lines

When using balloons or toys around power lines, you need to follow specific safety tips.

Make sure that helium-filled metallic balloons are adequately tied to weights. This way, you are preventing them from floating directly into power lines.
Avoid using metallic balloons, kites and remote-control toys close to overhead electric lines, so you won’t cause power outages, fires and serious injuries.
In case a balloon or toy is caught in a power line, contact the electrical company immediately. Avoid attempting to recover an object that is located on or close to a power line.

When working near electrical infrastructure, you need to know a few helpful safety tips and keep in mind that there are safety materials for each industry and type of work. For instance, using an auger, directional drill or other similar devices in an existing underground maze of utility lines can be very dangerous. To avoid getting hurt, consider subterranean smarts and safe drilling practices.

To keep yourself out of harm’s way, you need to remember and follow these safety tips;

Point out nearby power lines.
Always keep in mind that overhead lines are energized and possibly dangerous.
Keep your distance from overhead power lines and make sure others do the same.
Set boundaries to make sure that a safe distance between you and everyone around you is respected.
Set a spotter to allow you to stay far away from power lines and other safety hazards.
Keep your equipment and any materials you are using at a safe distance from overhead power lines.

Safety Rules for Power Outages

During a severe storm, you might be faced with fallen power lines. When that happens, electricity might go down. If this happens, here are a few safety rules to keep in mind:

Try to stay calm.
Avoid using candles in a power outage.
Use a flashlight instead and have extra batteries handy.

Turn off the lights, unplug any appliances and devices to avoid circuit overloading. However, make sure you leave one light on, so you know when the power is back.

What’s The Difference Between Overcurrent, Overvoltage & Overload?

Overcurrent protection is not the same with protecting against short circuits or overloads, so it’s important to learn the difference

electrical load

4 Outdoor Features Everyone’s Thinking About That Need House Electrical Wiring

Outdoor wiring for hoome improvements has become important for many homeowners lately, so here are some features you might want to consider.

Electrical Panel Box Sizes: How To Know Yours

Learn the different electrical panel box sizes, why they matter and how to find out which size you have in your home.

electrical panel

Understanding House Wiring & Your Home’s Grounding System

October 14, 2020 | Cristina Dinulescu

Electrical work tends to vary in terms of difficulty. It can go from basic to extremely difficult, which is why any DIY-minded homeowner needs to have at least a basic understanding of their house wiring and what electrical work implies.

The local utility company supplies each home with a power meter, through which electricity enters. Then electricity runs through a main circuit breaker, followed by the home’s breaker box, which you might also know as the fuse box in very old homes.

From here, electricity enters numerous circuits, reaching all the corners of your home, passing through individual circuit breakers, which function as safety measures, protecting the system from overloading. The entire home electrical system is generally created to work off 120 volts, except certain appliances of large sizes, which work off 240 volts.

An important part of your house electrical wiring is grounding. To understand just how important ground is to a home wiring system, one needs to have a basic understanding of the nature of electrical energy flow.

House Wiring Basics

Your home’s wiring system is powered by electrical current, made up of a flow of electrons within metal circuit wires. The current takes two forms, positive and negative charge. The utility company, using huge generators, operates charged electrical fields, sometimes from miles away. The flow of electrical current is this polarized charge, travelling to your home through a complex network of high-tension service wires, transformers, and substations.

Hot current is the negative half of the charge and in house wiring systems, and it’s normally carried by black wires. The positive charge is carried by the white neutral wires. Both these wire types run through your electrical service panel, side-by-side through every circuit in your residence.

Essentially, electricity focuses on returning its electrons to the ground. The negative energy needs to be discharged and balance restored. This is done through the neutral wires in the electrical system. However, sometimes, pathways are broken and hot current tends to go through other materials, including flammable ones. This is when short circuits happen – when electricity finds a shorter route to the ground.

Grounded House Wiring

In residential wiring systems, the grounding system functions as a “backup” route, offering the electrical current an alternative pathway to follow in case wiring problems appear. The grounding system is a system of bare copper wires, connected to every metal electrical box and device in your home, running parallel to the hot and neutral wires. If any issue arises, the stray current is channelled back to ground through the different route, created by this system.

The bare copper wires discharge in a grounding bar in your main service panel, connected to a grounding deep into the earth. Through this system, electricity is provided with a path of least resistance to follow in case a problem appears in your wiring system.

To check whether or not your house wiring has a grounding system, you need to look at each outlet receptacle. A third, round slot in the receptacle is the grounding connection. Of course, not all home wiring systems have such an elaborate grounding system. For instance older homes, specifically those before 1965, use metal conduit or metal cables instead of bare copper wires. The knob-and-tube wiring is such an example. In this case, there is no grounding at all. Houses built before late 80s did not have ground wiring most of the time. Outlets without grounding have two slots instead of three and it’s a good idea to update them.

House Wiring Protection

To completely understand your house wiring system, as well as the importance of grounding and other factors that impact any kind of electrical work, it’s important to identify the protection devices that are integral parts of your electrical system.

Circuit fuses or breakers: These represent protection for each circuit, against overheating in case of an electrical overload. They can sense short circuits, reacting immediately by instantly stopping the flow of current. In case of a ground fault situation or a short circuit, an immediate reduction in resistance causes an uncontrollable amount of current to circulate and the circuit breaker will trip. Metal plumbing pipes located in your home are also connected to the grounding system through a grounding wire clamped to the metal wire pipe. In case electricity comes into contact with the metal pipes, the grounding system offers additional protection.
Appliance Grounding: Many plug-in appliances have a grounding system of their own. Vacuum cleaners, power tools and several other appliances are safer when having a third prong on the cord plug, an indicator that the appliance has its own grounding system. This is shaped to fit the grounding slot on an outlet. Unfortunately, there have been many cases where the grounding prong was cut off so the appliance could fit in an outlet without grounding. This is a dangerous practice, which could lead to shock, so avoid doing it at all costs.
Plug Adapters: The plug adapters which allow three-prong plugs to be used into two-slot outlet receptacles are rather popular. However, know that these offer grounding protection only if the adapter’s metal loop is adequately attached to the mounting screw on the outlet cover plate, which is then connected to a metal box and that metal box is grounded. Since this is no sure thing, you might want to plug three-prong plugs only in grounded three-slot receptacles. When a grounded outlet is not an option, you could consider installing a GFCI receptacle. This will sense ground faults and cut the power off before further problems appear. However, GFCI does not create a grounding pathway. It only offers additional protection.

What Is a Short Circuit & 3 Causes To Look Out For

A short circuit can cause electrical fires in your home, so stay safe by learning what it is and the three main causes to look for.

What Is NM Cable & 4 Options For Your Home

October 9, 2020 | Cristina Dinulescu

Acircuit for residential electrical services like GFCI outlets, wall outlets, or lights is made of copper wires. These have to run in parallel, in a tightly packed bundle, without making any contact with each other. Because running every wire would be difficult, the need for a tight bundle, such as the NM cable, appeared. If these wires touched, the circuit itself would not function.

Since electricity has been powering homes, parallel wires have been separated and bundled up in plenty of different ways. However, the non-metallic (NM) sheathed electrical cable is the most common and efficient way to create the bundle.

Most of your home’s wiring system likely consists of NM sheathed cable if your house was built or rewired after 1965. Before the late 80’s there was no ground wire, and most homes had a two wire system. After this time, the Electrical Code required the ground wire, which meant a switch to the three wire system.

The NM cable, referred to as Romex, after one of the most popular brands, is a flexible electrical cable, featuring an outer plastic sheathing, which protects two or more insulated conductors and a bare copper ground wire.

What Is NM Cable?

The non-metallic mention in the name refers to the outer sheathing which packs individual wires like a cable, in contrast with the metallic sheathed cable in which the individual conductors are protected by some form of metal coil or conduit.

In 1922, the Romex company invented the NM cable and in 1926, it was first described and listed by the National Electrical Code (NEC). However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that it started being used. It was then that plastic replaced woven rayon as the material used for the outer sheathing and the NM cable quickly became the standard for running residential electrical wiring within walls and in floors or ceiling cavities. Nowadays, the NM cable is used for all applications, except exposed locations, where conduit is still required.

The NM cable has three parts: the wire insulation, outer cable sheathing, and wire.

the cable sheathing: this is a 30 mil-thick PVC jacket, extremely tough, bundling the individual wire conductors and protecting them. The sheathing needs to withstand the stress inflicted on it when the cable is pulled through holes in studs. A cable ripper, which is a metal device, is used to rip the cable when making connections with devices. When the ripping is over, the remaining attached sheathing is cut off with scissors or a utility knife.
the wire insulation: the wires in the sheathing are insulated with color-coded PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Individual conductors have black, white and red insulation. Within the NM cable, there is a copper grounding wire, left uncoated and bare. Sometimes, however, this is coated in green PVC and often, paper is added as a separator.
the wire: the individual electrical conductors within the NM cable are about 65% copper. This cable goes in many wire gauges. However, most household circuits use 12-gauge or 14-gauge wire, with two or three conductors inside (and the bare copper ground wire).

1. Two-Wire & Three-Wire NM Cable

The NM cable is referred to as “two-wire” or “three-wire” cable for most circuit applications. This designation has to do with the number of insulated wire conductors the cable contains, even though it is a bit misleading. Both versions have an extra bare-copper grounding wire.

In terms of insulation, in the two-wire cable, one insulated conductor has black insulation (the hot wire) and the other white insulation (the neutral wire). In the three-wire cable, you will find one white neutral wire, plus a black and a red hot wire.

NM cable packaging makes it easy to recognize its characteristics:

Two 14-gauge conductors plus ground are labeled “14/2 W/G”.
Three 14-gauge conductors plus ground are labeled “14/3 W/G”.
Two 12-gauge conductors plus ground are labeled “12/2 W/G”.
Three 12-gauge conductors plus ground are labeled “12/3 W/G”.

Through the interior of the cable, along with the bare copper grounding wire, there is paper wrapping which keeps the wires from sticking together. Plus, it makes the cable bend easier during installation.

The paper, the bare copper ground wire, the insulated conductors, they are all contained in a strong PVC plastic sheathing, which is both heat resistant and non-conductive.

2. NM Building Cable

Depending on what it is for, the NM cable comes in different forms. Standard NM cable is suitable for interior residential wiring, within ceiling cavities or walls and it is known as NM-8. This type of cable cannot be used in outdoor locations or buried underground. It is approved for use only in dry areas.

The NM-8 has a color-coded outer sheathing to quickly identify the wire gauge of the cable:

The 14-gauge wires cable has white sheathing and is used for 15-amp circuits.
The 12-gauge wires cable has yellow sheathing and is used for 20-amp circuits.
The 10-gauge wires cable has orange sheathing and is used for 30-amp circuits.

3. Underground Feeder NM Cable

In case the cable needs to run underground, a different type is required. The UF-B cable is the safest option to use underground, as it features wire conductors, enabled in solid plastic. The color of this cable is typically gray and it is used to run underground circuits to a shed or garage or for running power to a landscape feature.

4. Service Entrance Cable (SE)

The SE cable is used by the utility company to deliver service to your home. This is used above ground, while the USE type is used for underground service wires. But you don’t have to worry about this type of cable, as it is only used by utility professionals.

6 Types Of Electrical Wiring For Your House

October 7, 2020 | Cristina Dinulescu

All electrical projects have one thing in common: electrical wiring. When installing new wiring, knowing what type of wire or cable you need is essential. Having basic knowledge about the types of electrical wiring will help you find out more about the existing circuits in your home. For instance, it will be simpler for you to identify which wire goes where when looking in the junction box.

Modern homes and homes built after the mid-1960s in general, have similar types of wires. Plus, any new wiring needs to follow the requirements set by local building codes or the national electrical code. Electrical wiring is all about connecting wires and cables to various Equipment and devices like appliances, switches, lights, receptacles and so on to the main distribution board.

Cable vs Wire

It’s important to understand some of the basic terms which are used when describing wiring. An electrical wire is a conductor, a material which conducts electricity. For household wiring, the material is either copper or aluminium (or copper-sheathed aluminium), although aluminum is not really used anymore. It can be stranded wire or solid metal conductor and in most cases, it is insulated, using a non conductive plastic coating.

On the other hand, a cable is the combination of two or more wires, assembled using a single jacket. In modern homes, the NM (nonmetallic) cable is the most common type. This consists of two or more individual wires wrapped inside a protective plastic sheathing and contains:

one or more “hot” (current-carrying) wires
a neutral wire
a ground wire

1. NM Cable

The most common type of home electrical wiring is the NM cable, also known as the Romex cable, after the most popular electrical wiring brand name. The NM cables contain three or more individual conductors, wrapped together in a sheathing, which is a flexible plastic jacket.

This type of cable is generally used for dry, interior home wiring and this includes appliances, fixtures, switches, and outlets. Today, the NM cables are color-coded, meaning that the outer jacket of the cable comes in different colors to indicate the wire gauge. Here are the most common NM cables you most likely find in modern homes:

6-gauge, 55-amp circuits comes with black sheathing
8-gauge, 40-amp circuits comes with black sheathing
10-gauge, 30-amp circuits comes with orange sheathing
12-gauge, 20-amp circuits comes with yellow sheathing
14-gauge, 15-amp circuits comes with white sheathing

Gray sheathing is reserved for underground (UF) cable.

2. Armored Cable

When it comes to house electrical wiring, local ordinances are more strict than national codes. That is why you might find that in some areas NM cables are not permitted for use and in these locations, armored or AC cables are used instead.

AC wiring, also known as BX, goes back to the early 1900s and is designed with flexible metallic sheathing, which offers extra protection for the conductors inside. In commercial buildings or residential constructions with more than three stories, AC cannot be used.

3. Underground Feeder Cable

UF (underground feeder) is an NM cable which is specifically designed for wet locations and direct ground burial. When running wires underground or to outdoor projects, you need to use the UF cable. Another option electricians choose is using PVC conduit underground and pulling wires through.

This type of cable is generally used for supplying outdoor fixtures and it contains insulated hot and neutral wire, plus a bare ground wire. Unlike the NM cable, the UF type has a solid plastic sheathing around each wire and has a gray outer sheathing. Additionally, this type of cable can be used for major circuit wiring.

4. Low-Voltage Wire

Low-voltage wiring is used for circuits that use less than 50 volts. This type of wiring is the right choice for items that do not require a lot of electricity, like doorbells, thermostats, sprinkler systems or landscape lighting.

Low-voltage wiring varies from 12 to 22-gauge and it’s either insulated or comes covered in cable sheathing. Even though shocks don’t usually occur with low-voltage wires, it is still a good idea to turn off your devices before starting to work with them.

5. THHN/THWN Wire

Two of the most common types of insulated wires are the THHN and the THWN. Unlike the NM cable, these are single conductors, each having its color-coded insulation. And they are protected by a plastic or tubular metal conduit.

Hot wires are black, orange or red;
Neutral wires are white or brown;
Ground wires are green or yellow-green.

As far as insulation is concerned, the letters indicate their properties:

T stands for Thermoplastic;
H stands for Heat-resistant and HH means highly heat-resistant;
W stands for Rated for wet locations;
N means Nylon-coated, for added protection.

These types of wires should be used in areas like basements or garages and inside the house, only for short exposed runs, like wiring connections for water heaters or garbage disposals. Because these are circuit wires, they should never be handled with the circuits turned on.

6. Phone and Data Wire

Phones and internet wiring both use low-voltage wires. Although the most common type of cable for this is Cat (Category) 5, your telephone and data cable may have anywhere from four to eight wires. The category 5 cable contains eight wires, wrapped together in four pairs and it’s the most efficient type for phone and data transmission. Also, the cat 5 cable brings greater capacity and quality than the standard phone wire.

Even though data wiring doesn’t carry a high amount of voltage, it is still dangerous to have data wiring coming in contact with household wiring. So, treat it carefully and avoid touching bare wires.

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