Circuit Wiring for a House

What is required for the electrical circuit wiring in a residential home? How to Plan the Home Electrical Circuits, Installing Electrical Wiring for Light Fixtures and Outlets, Home Electrical Wiring. © By: Dave Rongey

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Electrical Circuits for Lights and Outlets
Electrical Question: What is required for the electrical circuit wiring in a home?

• I want to install electrical circuit wiring for my home.
• I’m planning to have the following: Eight light fixtures and Six electric outlets.

This Electrical Wiring Question came from: Daniel, who is an Electrician.
Additional Comments: So Fantastic.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Daniel .

How to Plan Home Electrical Circuits

Application: Home Electrical Circuit Wiring.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best installed by a Licensed or Certified Electrician.
Tools Required: Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools for Rough-In Wiring, Electric Drill and Auger Bits and Extension Cord.
Estimated Time: Depends on the extent of the project, the type of construction and available access to the project area.
Precaution: Any existing wiring in the immediate area that may interfere with the installation should be identified and turned OFF and Tagged.
Notice: Installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.

Installing Home Electric Wiring for Light Fixtures and Outlets

• Home Electrical Circuits
  Planning the electrical circuits for a home will depend on a few factors, such as, the location or area of the home where the circuits will be installed and the devices that will be connected to the circuit.
• Lighting Circuits
  Typical lighting circuits are designed as 15 amp, 120 volt or 20 amp, 120 volt. The actual circuit size may be determined by the number of lamps and the watt rating for each type of lamp for each light fixture that will be connected to the circuit.
• Outlet Circuits
  The same is true for the outlets, specifically where will they be located and what will they be used for which will determine the estimated connected loads that will be placed on the outlet circuits.
• General Purpose Circuits
  In areas of the home where electrical usage will be moderately low, it is common to install one 15 or 20 amp circuit which will be used for the lights and outlets. The size or physical space of the will also be a factor.
• Electrical Loads: How Many Watts or Amps
  It is important to determine what will be connected or plugged into the circuit so the circuit may be sized properly. For example: The electrical load for a kitchen outlet circuit will be far greater than a bedroom outlet circuit. The national and local electrical codes are the guides which are used to design and install electrical circuits.
• Circuits for Specific Equipment
  Larger circuits are designed for specific equipment, such as an electric dryer, a cooking stove, or a well pump. As you can see, the proposed application will determine the size of the circuit.
• Geographical Locations and Specific Electrical Codes
  This question comes from Ethiopia where electrical codes may be different because of different types of electrical appliances and the voltage of the electrical power provided to the home. However in the United States each of the lighting or outlet circuits may be wired as 15 or 20 amp circuits when specified as general purpose usage, but again, there is more information that would be needed, especially as it pertains to the actual location or room.

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