Wiring Hints

When planning the electrical wiring system there are many things to consider, the location of the service entrance, the size of the service, the number and size of the branch circuits just to name a few.

• Try to locate the service as near the kitchen and laundry area as possible, to reduce voltage drop and material costs, because, the maximum load is normally in that area.
• Install the service entrance on the end of the building where the peak of the roof is, if the peak will allow you to install the service with the 10 foot drip loop height below the roof line. Because, if you penetrate the roof you must use rigid or I.M.C. conduit and, if you stay below the roof you can use EMT conduit which is cheaper by far and, the service will be attached to the building rather than the conduit.
• Keep in mind the amount of load in the area you are in, and the next area, dividing the load as you go so that you will have a balanced load divided evenly between the circuits.
• You normally wont have to be concerned about the minimum circuits required for a house, because, the baseboard distance for the receptacles, the two circuits for the kitchen area and, the laundry area one circuit requirement will usually cause you to have more than the minimum number of circuits.
• Do not overload circuits; just because you are allowed 10 opennings for a 15 amp cicuit and 13 openings for a 20 amp circuit, does not mean you have to put that many on every circuit. Sometimes less is better, to provide for a more balanced and, a lighter loaded circuit.
• Be careful to install the receptacle boxes the correct depth for the type of wall. If they are too deep the receptacle screws wont reach the receptacle and, if they are too shallow the receptacle will not be flush and tight with the wall.
• Attempt to put all the receptacles the same distance from the floor. They look good and it makes the carpenters happy.
• Install all boxes, panels, and conduit level and plumb. Properly support all wire and conduit.
• Install the light fixtures in the center of the room or overhead area. Mount them solid, ceiling fans are heavy.
• If there are more than six steps to a stairwell install 3-way switches for the light.
• Leave enough wire in the boxes to make good connections, about 2 inches below the wall box. If you leave them too long there is too much waste and or, the excess wire will crowd the box possibly causing shorted circuits. If you cut them too short, you will have loose connections, from not being able to properly connect the wires. The code requirement is 6 inches.
• Stay within code requirements at all times, if in doubt check with the ruling authority, electrical inspector, or power service provider.