Diagram Electrical Wiring

By Dave Rongey Summary: The purpose of this diagram of electrical wiring is to provide a way to understand the logic of the electric circuit.

The Value of an Electrical Wiring Diagram for Home Wiring Projects

The wiring diagram also becomes a valuable way to test, monitor and troubleshoot the electrical circuit and all the various electrical components involved.

Safety precautions should always be taken while being extremely careful with all electrical installations.

Electrical wiring can be explained in several ways. Lets look at a few ways I will use to diagram electrical wiring to help you understand.

Caution:Never work on live or energized circuits.

One way to diagram electrical wiring is through what is known as a One-Line wiring diagram. Here is an example of a one-line wiring-diagram:

This is a really great way to see the whole circuit and its controlling devices, however it will not explain the types of wiring methods used and where the various wiring is installed. An understanding of Electrical Symbols and how electrical controls function is necessary. Next is the blue print and its guide to diagram electrical wiring. The typical set of home blue prints is the complete representation of the whole building project which shows how the home is to be built from the ground up, giving full details from start top finish. A typical full set of blue prints contains the following: [trade sets and more] Here is an example of an electrical blueprint:

What a blue print will not show is the methods involved in how each trade will actually install their parts into the home building project. This knowledge comes through various forms of education and several years of on the job experience. Every trades person knows that each building project comes with its own set of challenges and requirements. This would be the difference between building a track-home and a Custom Home, or a stick-frame home and an energy efficient Green-Home project.

Another yet more practical way to diagram electrical wiring is through a visual explanation where showing all the electrical components of the circuit and its connected and the devices installed can be easily understood without knowing all the theory about why the electrical circuit works, but rather give you the "how it works" explanation. Here is an example of a visual-wiring-diagram:

I will explain both aspects as I diagram electrical wiring in a way that will show you how the various components of home electrical wiring is installed correctly and to code.