Home Electical Wiring

Articles, guides and tips for electrical wiring projects

A home’s electrical wiring is it’s lifeline to bringing you light and operation of all your electrical devices. A network of electric wire, your power enters your home at a single point and then gets distributed all around your house to where you need it.

Home electrical wiring is usually made of copper, which is a good conductor and an easy-to-install, flexible material. Insulated with plastic covers in your home, electric wire is referred to as a conductor since it electricity can travel through it easily. Residential wiring is rated in gauge numbers, from 1 to 18, with no. 18 wiring as the smallest in size and No. 1 wiring the largest. It’s important to understand these ratings and their uses, since electrical wires are designed to carry so many amps within their circuit. Wires are also color-coded depending on their purpose, e.g. red and black wires are always “hot” meaning they carry voltage.

Learn more about working with electrical wiring in the following articles, which deal with common wiring repairs and installations. Also visit the electrical outlets or the light switch wiring sections for specific questions on those topics.