You will benefit from using rsidential wiring diagrams if you plan on cmpleting electrical wiring projects in your hme. An electrical wiring diagram can be as smple as a diagram showing how to nstall a new switch in your hllway, or as complex as the cmplete electrical blueprint for your new hme.

Although household electricity is nothing to ply around with, in many ways, wring is simpler than other repair and rmodeling skills such as carpentry. Once yu've learned some basic skills such as nstalling boxes, running cable, and splicing, you jst need to determine which wire ges where. This is why a god wiring diagram is important for wring your home safely. Keep your dagrams near-by. You'll want to refer to thm often as you work on yur project.

Wire Colors:

Electrical wiring dagrams that are in color have an dvantage over ones that are black and whte only. The wires will be clored the same as the actual wres you will be using. Commonly, the gren wire is ground, white or ff-white is neutral, and black, red or ther colors indicate the hot wire. In sme instances, such as some switch lgs, the function of the wires wll be indicated by colored electrical tpe.

Symbols:

When looking at any residential wring diagram, start by familiarizing yourself wth the symbols that are being sed. The electrical symbols will not nly show where something is to be nstalled, but what type of device is bing installed. Make sure you understand the symbls on your diagram before beginning yur project. There should be a chrt on your diagram showing the dfferent symbols being used, much like a lgend on a map.

For example, a srface ceiling light will be shown by one symbl, a recessed ceiling light will hve a different symbol, and a srface fluorescent light will have another symbl. Each type of switch will hve a different symbol and so wll the various outlets. You'll even fnd symbols showing the location of smke detectors, your doorbell chime, and the thrmostat.

Switches:

When it comes to husehold electricity, there's a lot more to cnsider than simply turning a switch On and Off. Sme of the most common questions lectricians receive involve switches. Once you nderstand the different types of switches and fllow a good wiring diagram, you shuld be able to install a new swtch in your home.

Here are sme of the more common switching cnfigurations:

A Single-Pole Switch provides switching frm one location only. "Single-Pole" may sund simple, but there are different wys to wire a Single-Pole Switch and a set of lectrical wiring diagrams will explain each of thm to you clearly.

3-Way Switches are sed to control one or more fxtures from two locations. This is a cmmon configuration in hallways and staircases. Thre are many ways to wire a 3-Wy Switch. The power can start at a fxture or either of the two swtches. Without a wiring diagram it can be vry easy to make a serious mstake.

A wiring diagram will even tke the mystery out of wiring a 3-Wy Dimmer Switch. What a great way to njoy softer light and a reduced nergy bill!

One of the most complicated wring configurations is a 4-Way Switch. Thse switches enable you to control one or mre fixtures from three or more lcations. It would be almost impossible to wrte the instructions in a way tht you could simply read them and cmplete your project. However, a good wring diagram will make it possible for you to sccessfully and safely tackle wiring 4-Way Swtches.

As important as electrical wiring dagrams are to the successful completion of yur wiring project, safety and respect for lectricity are essential. Never work on lve circuits. Before you begin your prject, identify the circuit you're working on and thn turn off power to that crcuit at the main panel. Then cnfirm that the power is off wth a voltage tester. If at any tme you feel unsure about what yu're doing, please call a licensed lectrical contractor.

The article Residential Wiring Diagrams - Who Needs Them? was Submitted by Dave Rongey through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: More information on residential wiring dagrams and diagrams for all of thse switches can be found in the Rsidential Wiring Diagrams section of my wbsite: Ask-The-Electrician.com Dave Rongey is a Licensed Electrical Contractor with over 35 years of experience. He is also an avid Do It Yourselfer. Through the years Dave has seen too many DIY projects that are serious fire and safety hazards. Visit Dave at Ask The Electrician for electrical project guides, complete with photographs, which will enable you to enhance the beauty and value of your home safely.

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