Much of what you need to know for electrical repair and remodeling is how to identify it, how to buy it, and how to install it with the proper wiring. If you are planning any electrical project, the best place to start is to learn the basics of wiring materials and installation. Understanding basic wiring terminology and identifying the most common types of wire and cable will help you investigate wiring problems and select wiring for new installation and remodeling projects.
Here are all the basics you need to understand about electrical wiring.
Wire sizing
Correct 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 passage of a wire is related to the current carrying capacity of the wire, or how much current the wire can safely handle. When choosing the right wire, you need to consider the cross-section of the wire, the capacity of the wire, and what the wire will be used for.
Color coding of electrical wire
Color coding is used both on the outer sheath of the bundled electrical cables and on the individual wires inside the cables or inside the wiring pipe. Understanding this color coding can help you determine what the wiring is used for and helps maintain consistency within the electrical system.
The color of the cable relates to the size of the wires inside the cable and the rated current of the cable. For example, white sheathed NM cable is used for 15 amp circuits, while yellow NM cable is for 20 amp circuits.
Marking of electrical wiring
Electrical wires and cables have markings stamped or printed on the insulation or outer sheath. These markings provide important information about wiring and insulation, including wire size and material, type of insulation, number of wires contained (within the cable), and any special ratings or characteristics of the wire.
While looking at the color of the wire or cable will help you narrow down your options at the store, reading and understanding the labels on the wiring is the best way to ensure you get the right grade material for your project.
Direct burial cable
Standard electrical cable is designed to be run indoors where it stays dry and is protected by wall, ceiling or floor structures. For outdoor projects or when running cables underground, you must use direct burial cable, which can be installed underground with or without conduit (depending on local building code regulations). With direct burial cable, the individual conductors are embedded in solid vinyl to fully protect them from moisture.
Stripping electrical wire
Stripping an electrical conductor involves removing the plastic insulation surrounding the metal core of the conductor. It is important to do this carefully to avoid damaging the metal. The procedure is simple but requires a special wire stripping tool and understanding how to use it. This is a critical DIY skill—and tool—for any wiring project.
Circuit breaker panel wiring
The electrical panel or service panel is the distribution point of the home’s electrical system. Here, all the individual circuits of the house are powered and protected by circuit breakers or fuses. Wiring an electrical panel is a job for a licensed electrician, but DIYers should have a basic understanding of how the panel works and the critical role circuit breakers play in any system.
