Needing to learn electrical

[W_KY]

So in the future I'd like to add a few 110 outlets into my attached 3 car garage (probably 4 outlets) as well as go from just the two lightbulbs to at least four sets of florescent lights. While I'm add it, I'd probably do a 220 as well. I remember when I bought the house that the inspector said there was plenty of room.

In order to do this I'm gonna have to improve my electrical skills. I have done basic replacement of items in the house (light fixture, ceiling fan) but I haven't done any new installation type work. I wish I had someone local I could just go help on an install in order to learn the skill but I haven't found anyone like that yet.

Any suggestions on resources to learn from? I'm a little nervous about trusting all the stuff you see on youtube as there are some people who I don't think are complete in the information they provide. I am in the DFW area.

 

[Steevo]

There are a couple of very good basic electrical wiring (woring for you TX folks) books available at Home Depot or Lowes, or any book store in the DIY section.
They give step by step guidance as to how to add a breaker, run wire, install and connect receptacles, etc.

 

[Falcon67]

(woring for you TX folks)

No, that's pronounced WAAR'in. With a long a. As in bob waar (sounds like car) fence.

I think the Black and Decker book is decent, but most are the same. Good place to start for a nubie.

 

[nwav8tor]

Another option might be to go volunteer at a nearby Habitat For Humanity build. Not only will you be helping someone get a home of their own, you can learn lots of skills as the build goes on. Make sure the organizers know you are especially interested in working on the house's electrical system...

 

[achong]

Electrical Wiring {Residential, Commercial, Industrial} by Ray Mullin.
I've read a lot of texts, including the NEC, and this is one of the best.

They're designed as textbooks for electrical trades, so they're very
good about showing which wires go to where.

Too many of the books at your local Homedespot are more about how
to install a lamp fixture in 50 pictures. I've been running romex since I
was 6, so I might be a little biased.

 

[Xception]

I bought Wiring 1-2-3 2nd edition from HD awhile back for $25 and it has helped me to be able to wire my work shop. Lots of good info in there that's for sure.

 

[scottydosnntkno]

you can find basic circuit diagrams online for free that will show you all the basics.

as long as you're not color blind, its easy. black/white/copper is all you need to know.

think of electricity as a freeway:

Black is the lane you're driving in to go somewhere(feeds the power)
Neutral is the return lane to get home (circulates power back to the panel)
Ground is the safety barrier in the middle of the highway in case you drive off the road (hot or neutral touches ground)

 

[ddawg16]

Lesson #1.....it's 120Vac, not 110Vac.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Lol- lesson #2

It's 240vac NOT 220vac!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Lesson #3

Learn the difference between ground and neutral.

 

[theoldwizard1]

you can find basic circuit diagrams online for free that will show you all the basics.

Actually found how to wire a 4-way switch ! Not to hard at all.

 

[Zeke]

I saw this thread yesterday and hesitated to comment. Today I would be hesitant to recommend that a newbie grab a book and go at wiring a garage. I know that 45 years ago when I had my first experience with wiring I was so off the mark it wasn't funny at all. Fortunately I had a good friend who was an IBEW electrician come and help me.

After that, I thought I was able to do electrical work by looking at electrical work and copying what was there. I got myself in trouble more than once. At one point I had another "electrician" come out to help me bring constant power to an overhead switched box in the garage so I could use an opener and still have the switched circuit for lighting. This was in 1974.

The hack simply converted the neutral to a hot and used the rigid conduit as the neutral. When I discovered what he had done (sometime after), I realized I better pick it up and learn. I was a painting contractor at the time and didn't do any electrical work.

Then I go into the room addition business and watched the sparkys closely to see how things were done. I started to pick it up gradually. Pretty soon I was doing some small branch circuit work. Then a little more until I had most of my tools and didn't call any electricians out to do my work. I thought I was sitting pretty good.





Then I found this forum.

 

[sberry]

The hack simply converted the neutral to a hot and used the rigid conduit as the neutral. When I discovered what he had done (sometime after), I realized I better pick it up and learn.

Its what motivated me. Even though I have participated on forums it was a learning experience, I really am not that interested, wiring is simply a matter of getting what I want but it has to be a legal install that would pass forensic.

 

[RickP]

I saw this thread yesterday and hesitated to comment. Today I would be hesitant to recommend that a newbie grab a book and go at wiring a garage. I know that 45 years ago when I had my first experience with wiring I was so off the mark it wasn't funny at all. Fortunately I had a good friend who was an IBEW electrician come and help me.

+1 on that!

But, if you really want to learn it, make sure you know it'll take a LOT of time and effort. And then make sure to check with an electrician to make sure you did it right.

Originally, I just wanted to acquire enough electrical knowledge to add a breaker for some additional outlets in the basement. But after reading this forum and others, I realized that MWBCs are a whole different animal compared to the basic knowledge I picked up 30+ years ago. Unfortunately, I needed to learn it in order to fix several MWBCs that were installed wrong by the licensed electricians who wired our whole house when it was built 7 years ago. I'm sure 99.9% would have wired it correctly, but I'm glad I learned enough to fix the 3 circuits that had overloaded neutrals. Was all that time spent learning worth it, compared to just hiring an electrician instead? I don't know. I guess it just comes down to personal preference, but make sure you realize that it will take a ton of your time before you're through.

- Rick



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