Home-based businesses are more popular than ever before. Business owners are carving out areas in their homes to set up their home-based business.
They can be found in a shared area of the home or a converted spare bedroom or perhaps even a converted garage.
No matter where you have decided to locate your home office, you will want to give thought to some of the basic necessities that will enhance your business productivity.
We will be considering basic home electrical wiring for home office electrical devices as well as information and communications.
Lighting Options for the Home Office
Home Office Blueprint and Wiring Design Layout
To reduce fatigue and eye strain, we will address the subject of lighting. If you have a dedicated room for your home office, you will want to consider ceiling mounted fixtures that will provide ample lighting and perhaps add a little style to your business.
By having your business at home you may want to take advantage of some of the newer styles of lighting such as track lighting, pendant lighting, cable lighting and even some of the newer models of ceiling fan and lighting combinations. Some of these selections will require special low-voltage power supplies and controls. Others will operate with traditional fixture wiring.
Equipping the Home Office for Functionality
Desk top or workspace task lighting fixtures that will provide additional lighting and a little style to your home office are available in all shapes and sizes.
Home Office Receptacles and Power Supplies
No doubt you will be using a PC and other electronic items to assist you in your business. Grounded receptacles in your home electrical wiring for home office area will provide necessary protection for your electronic devices. Depending on your location, power quality, and dependability, you may want to consider plug strips which contain surge suppression protection. Some units are sold with warranties to replace approved equipment that have been plugged into these devices should they be damaged by a power surge. Another consideration would be a UPS (uninterruptible power supply). A good UPS will provide backup power on a limited basis, allowing you time to save your information. Some of these UPS units will actually provide surge and circuit protection for your PC and other external devices. I can't emphasize enough the importance of computer protection and solid backup provisions for your important information.
Internet access is provided by several connection systems including cable and the telephone system. Both of these methods will require cabling for the access points to be connected to your PC or your home network.
The cable modem method will require the installation of a wires and cable which in turn will be connected either to your PC or to a Router that is connected to your home network.
The DSL connection will require a phone cable to be installed to a modem installed at your PC location or to a router that is connected to your home network.
Provisions to protect these cable distribution methods against lightning strikes and other electrical storms are something that you should consider for the home electrical wiring for home office.
Communication Devices are Necessities for Most Home Businesses.
Power Quality to Protect your Equipment is a Must.
Home Security Keeps Your Hard Work Safe.
Proper Lighting Reduces Fatigue and Stress.
Questions about Home Office Electrical Wiring
Mike in Wisconsin asks: Wiring for an Office
I will be tying into a sub box with a 20 amp breaker. Running the wire-12 gauge, to a room for an simple office. There will be one wall switch and two wall outlets and 2 ceiling mounted can lights. What would be the best way to wire this scenario? My understanding is for the wall outlets , I will need 12 gauge wire and for the lighting I can use 14. Is that correct? Or can I use 14 gauge wire for everything?
Dave’s Reply: Branch Circuit Wire Size
The size of the wire will depend on the circuit wire that is being tied into. The extended wire gauge must be the same as the existing circuit wire size.
How to Select a Power Conditioning Unit – Constant-voltage transformers which provide voltage regulation, filter noise, and suppress surges to protect connected equipment.
I work from home and have 2 computers, a Brother MFC 8640 fax, modem, and a LCD TV. When both computers are running and the fax machine comes on to print it surges power and shuts down my computers…
The Brass Tab and Switched Outlets
Question:
I replaced the outlet. The bottom worked with the light switch. the back of the old outlet had 3 white wires to holes in the back and 1 black wire. There were two additional black wires on the bottom screw on the right if you were looking at the outlet with the two prongs on top and hole on bottom. There was also a green ground wire to the ground post. I wired the new outlet the same as the old one and now the switch will not work. What did I do wrong?
Thanks, Mike
Dave's Reply:
Mike, make sure the brass tab has been removed that bridges the top and bottom receptacles together. Also, screw terminals should only have one wire attached. If there are additional wires then they may be attached using the pigtail and splice method.
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The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!
The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!
The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets
UL Listed
Light indicates if wiring is incorrect
Very handy and easy to use.
Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!
The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..
The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.
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Electrical Project Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Electrical Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area. Electrical Safety:
Identify the panel circuits found in the project area, turn them OFF and Tag them with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials:
Electrical parts and materials for home wiring projects should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections:
Installing additional home electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
This is a testing tool that is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
This is great to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring, is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect, Very handy and easy to use.
A wire stripping tool used to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.
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