Renovation 4th Edition

by Michael Litchfield

  develoPing a floor Plan

  lights they control. It should be noted that the

  protection is required for other

  light switch may control a receptacle (considered

  receptacles, too. your local

  Drawing a set of project plans can help you antic-

  building code may have addi-

  “lighting”) in habitable rooms except in kitchens

  ipate problems, find optimal routes for running

  tional requirements for gfCis.

  and bathrooms.

  cable, minimize mess and disruption, and in gen-

  eral maximize your time and money. A carefully

  aFCI protection. The NEC requires AFCI pro-

  drawn set of plans is also an important part of

  tection for all 120-volt, 15- or 20-amp branch cir-

  the code compliance and inspection process.

  cuits except those serving the kitchen, bathroom,

  If you’re replacing only a receptacle, switch,

  garage, and unfinished basements and attics.

  or light fixture, you usually don’t need to involve

  the local building department. But if you run

  requireMenTs rooM by rooM

  cable to extend a circuit, add a new circuit, or

  Kitchen and bath appliances are heavy power

  plan extensive upgrades, visit the building

  users, so their circuits must be sized accordingly.

  department to learn local code requirements and

  bathroom circuits. Bathroom receptacles must

  take out a permit. Your wiring plans should be

  be supplied by a 20-amp circuit. The NEC allows

  approved by a local building inspector before you

  the 20-amp circuit to supply the receptacles of

  start the project.

  more than one bathroom or to supply the recep-

  Phone first. Call the building department and

  tacles, lights, and fans (excluding heating fans) in ask if local codes allow homeowners to do electri-

  one bathroom. Receptacles in bathrooms must

  cal work. You may be required to take a test to

  be GFCI-protected, either by a GFCI receptacle

  prove basic competency. This also is a good time

  or a GFCI breaker. New or remodeled bathrooms to ask whether the municipality has pamphlets

  must have a vent fan.

  giving an overview of local electrical code

  small-appliance circuits. There must be at least requirements.

  two 20-amp small-appliance circuits in the kitch-

  read up. Make a rough sketch of the work you

  en serving the kitchen countertops. No point

  propose, develop a rudimentary materials list,

  274 Chapter 11

  and then apply for a permit. At the time you

  indicate different circuits. You can also number

  apply, the building department clerk may be able

  circuits, but colored circuits are distinguishable

  to answer questions generated by the legwork

  at a glance. Use solid lines to indicate cable

  you’ve done thus far. This feedback often proves

  runs between receptacles and switches and dot-

  invaluable.

  ted lines to indicate the cables that run between

  switches and the light fixtures or receptacles

  Inspectors inspect. Inspectors are not on staff

  they control.

  to tell you how to plan or execute a job, so make

  The beauty of photocopies is that you can

  your questions as specific as possible. Present

  experiment with different options quickly. As you

  your rough sketch, discuss the materials you

  refine the drawings, refer back to the list of

  intend to use, and ask if there are specific require- requirements given earlier to be sure that you

  ments for the room(s) you’ll be rewiring. For

  have an adequate number of receptacles, that

  example, must bedroom receptacles have AFCI

  you have GFCI receptacles over kitchen counters,

  protection? Must kitchen wall receptacles be

  that there are switches near doorways, and so on.

  GFCIs if they are not over a counter? Be specific.

  Ultimately, you’ll need a final master drawing

  draw up plans. Based on the feedback you’ve

  with everything on it. But you may also find it

  gotten, draw detailed plans. (Pages 276–277 show helpful to make individual drawings—say, one

  a set of detailed electrical plans.) They should

  for lighting and one for receptacles—if the mas-

  include each switch, receptacle, and fixture as

  ter drawing gets too busy to read.

  well as the paths between switches and the

  If you have questions or want to highlight a

  device(s) they control. From this drawing, you

  fixture type, use callouts on the floor plan. As you

  can develop your materials list. Number each cir-

  decide which fixtures and devices you want to

  cuit or, better yet, assign a different color to each

  install, develop a separate materials list and use

  circuit. When you feel the plans are complete,

  numbered keys to indicate where each piece goes

  schedule an appointment with an inspector to

  on the master drawing. Finally, develop a list of

  review them.

  all materials, so you’ll also have enough boxes,

  listen well and take notes. Be low-key and

  cable connectors, wire connectors, staples, and

  respectful when you meet with the inspector to

  so on. In short, list all you need to do the job.

  review your plans. First, you’re more likely to get

  your questions answered. Second, you’ll begin to

  Tools and Materials

  develop a personal rapport. Because one inspec-

  You don’t need a lot of expensive tools to wire a

  tor will often track a project from start to finish,

  house. This section introduces basic tools you’ll

  this is a person who can ease your way or make it use most often. Scan chapter 3 for essential safety

  much more difficult. So play it straight, ask ques-

  tools such as safety glasses, work gloves, respira-

  tions, listen well, take notes, and—above all—

  tors, as well as layout and cleanup tools. All

  don’t argue or come in with an attitude.

  materials must be UL- or NRTL-listed, which

  on-site inspections. Once the building depart-

  indicates they meet the safety standards of the

  ment approves your plans, you can start working. electrical industry.

  In most cases, the inspector will visit your site

  The first test of any tool is that it fit your hand

  when the wiring is roughed in and again when

  comfortably; the second, that it feels solid and

  the wiring is finished. Don’t call for an inspection well made. Better tools tend to be a bit heftier

  until each stage is complete.

  and cost more.

  eleCTriCal noTaTion

  hand Tools

  Start by making an accurate floor plan of the

  All hand tools should have cushioned handles

  room or rooms to be rewired on graph paper

  and fit your hand comfortably. Manufacturers

  using a scale of 1⁄4 in. = 1 ft. Indicate walls and

  now make tools in various sizes, so choose the

  permanent fixtures such as countertops, kitchen

  ones right f
or you. Don’t scrimp on quality.

  islands, cabinets, and any large appliances.

  Pliers and strippers. Lineman’s pliers are the

  By photocopying this floor plan, you can

  workhorse of an electrician’s toolbox. They can

  quickly generate to-scale sketches of various

  cut wire, hold wires fast as you splice them, and

  wiring schemes.

  twist out box knockouts. Needle-nose (long-nose)

  Use the appropriate electrical symbols

  pliers can grasp and pull wire in tight spaces.

  (p. 276) to indicate the locations of receptacles,

  These pliers can loop wire to fit around recepta-

  switches, light fixtures, and appliances.

  cle and switch screws. A large pair can also loos-

  Especially when drawing kitchens, which can

  en and remove knockouts in metal outlet boxes.

  be incredibly complex, use colored pencils to

  electrical Wiring

  275

  Common electrical symbols

  lighting and switches layer

  A running 12/2 cable will accommodate the dish-

  zzzzzz

  Duplex

  receptacle

  washer circuit.

  B use 14/2 cable for all general lighting home runs

  GFCI duplex

  (cable runs back to the service panel).

  receptacle

  C verify the dimmer load; dimmers must be de-rated

  Fourplex

  when ganged together.

  receptacle

  240v

  receptacle

  Weatherproof duplex

  receptacle

  Duplex receptacle,

  split-wired

  Single-pole

  switch

  Three-way

  switch

  Switch

  leg

  Home run

  (to service panel)

  Recessed

  light fixture

  Wall-mounted

  fixture

  Ceiling

  Power layer

  outlet

  Wir

  A

  e the gfCi receptacle at the beginning of the

  Ceiling pull

  run so it affords protection to receptacles downstream.

  switch

  B dishwasher/disposal circuit. install under the

  Junction

  sink in the cabinet. Cut the hot (brass) tab on the

  box

  receptacle to split the receptacle for two circuits.

  leave the neutral (silver) tab intact. be sure to install

  Vent

  fan

  on a two-pole breaker with a handle tie.

  C single-location gfCi protection.

  Ceiling

  fan

  D stove is gas, so the receptacle is only for the

  igniter and clock and is ok to run with the hood. leave

  Telephone

  outlet

  nM cable stubbed at the ceiling, and leave 3 ft. to 4 ft.

  of slack for termination in the hood/trim. (note: never

  Two-wire

  cable

  run a stove igniter off a gfCi-protected circuit because

  Three-wire

  it will trip the gfCi every time the stove is turned on.)

  cable

  E use 12/3 cable for the home run, so a single cable

  takes care of the dedicated refrigerator circuit and the

  countertop receptacle (small-appliance) circuit.

  F home run for counter (small-appliance) circuit 2.

  G oven outlet. refer to unit specifications to verify

  receptacle or hard-wired connection.

  276 Chapter 11

  electrical Plan: lighting and

  switches layer

  a professional’s electrical floor plan may be daunting at first, but it will start to make

  sense as you become familiar with the symbols used. To make the plans easier to

  read, they have been divided into two layers: (1) lighting and switches and (2)

  power, which consists of receptacles and dedicated circuits. (There’s some overlap.)

  The circled letters are callouts that indicate areas warranting special attention. The

  circled numbers correspond to a master list of lighting fixtures that the electrician

  Pendant lights in the dining area are noted

  developed with the architect. drawing switch legs and circuits in different colors

  by a dotted green switch leg running from

  the two ceiling boxes to the single­pole

  makes a plan much easier to read.

  switch on the wall.

  A

  B

  C

  All circuits for recessed, pendant, and

  under­cabinet lighting are noted in

  different colors. Be certain to track each

  circuit back to the appropriate wall switch.

  electrical Plan: The Power layer

  This kitchen remodel is typical in that it has many dedicated circuits (also

  called designated circuits) and, per code, at least two 20-amp small-appliance

  circuits wired with #12 cable. Circled letters are callouts that correspond to

  the lettered notes at left.

  F

  A

  Whether for 120v wall outlets or 240v

  appliance outlets, each circuit should end

  B

  with a home run back to the service panel.

  G

  D

  C

  E

  Any receptacle that serves the countertop

  must be GfCI protected. refrigerators,

  however, should be run on a non­GfCI

  receptacle.

  electrical Wiring

  277

  Diagonal-cutting and end-cutting pliers can cut

  wires close in tight spaces; end cutters (some-

  electrical Testers

  times called nippers) also pull out staples easily.

  A multipurpose or combination stripping tool is

  Testing to see if a circuit or device is energized is crucial to safety and correct wiring.

  used to strip individual wires of insulation, cut

  The first three items below are voltage testers, and some perform multiple functions.

  wire, crimp connections, and quickly loop wire

  non-contact testers can provide a reading without directly touching a conduc-

  around screw terminals.

  tor. They often allow you to detect voltage without having to remove cover plates and

  A cable ripper (see p. 279) strips the plastic

  expose receptacles or switches. insert its point into receptacle slots; or touch the

  sheathing from Romex® cable without harming

  tool’s tip to an outlet, a fixture screw, or an electrical cord. if the tip glows red, it

  the insulation on the individual wires inside.

  means there’s voltage present. non-contact testers rely on battery power.

  Many pros use a utility knife to strip sheathing,

  plug-in circuit analyzers or polarity testers can be used only with three-hole

  but that takes practice and a light touch to avoid

  receptacles, but they quickly tell you if a circuit is correctly grounded and, if not, what

  nicking the insulation of individual wires.

  the problem is. different light combinations on the tester indicate various wiring prob-

  For remodel work, you may need a plaster

  lems, such as no ground and hot and neutral reversed. They’re quite handy for quick

  chisel, flat bar, and a drywall saw.

  home inspections.

  solenoidal voltage testers (often called wiggies) test polarity as well as aC

  PoWer Tools

/>   voltage, and dC voltage from 100v to 600v. They also test dC voltage from 100v to

  Buy power tools that are appropriate to your

  600v. Most models vibrate and light a bulb when current is present. solenoidal testers

  strength and to the task at hand. More powerful

  don’t use batteries, so readings can’t be compromised by low battery power. however,

  tools tend to be heavy and hard to manage, and

  because of their low impedance, solenoid testers will trip gfCis.

  for wiring, they’re often overkill. If possible,

  in addition to voltage testers, get a continuity tester to test wire runs and con-

  test-drive a friend’s power tool before buying

  nectors for short circuits or other wiring flaws prior to energizing the circuit.

  your own.

  a right-angle drill allows you to fit the drill

  useful but not essential

  head between studs or joists and drill perpendic-

  multimeters offer precise readings in multiple scales (in both aC and dC), which

  ular to the face of the lumber. The pros use drills

  you select beforehand. expensive and extremely sensitive, multimeters can detect

  with 1⁄2-in. chucks such as the Milwaukee Hole-

  minuscule amounts of voltage but, in truth, they offer more functionality than most

  Hawg, the DeWalt stud and joist drill, and so on.

  nonprofessionals need.

  They’re very versatile tools. It’s not necessary to

  neon voltage testers are inexpensive and widely available, but there’s a danger

  get a drill with a clutch; such tools tend to be

  of touching their bare metal probes and getting shocked. a neon voltage tester is

  very heavy and expensive—overkill even for wir-

  better than nothing at all, but most pros wouldn’t be caught dead with one in their

  ing a whole house. A right-angle, D-handle drill

  tool belt.

  and a sharp bit are more than adequate.

  Spade bits cut quickly but tend to snap in

  harder wood. For this reason, most pros prefer

  auger bits. Self-feeding chipper bits drill doggedly

  through hard, old wood but won’t last long if they

  hit nails. A 7⁄8-in. Greenlee® Nail Eater® bit is a

  wise buy if your old lumber is nail infested; many

  companies offer similar nail-eater bits.

  Electrical testers. Clockwise from lower left: analog

  multimeter, non­contact voltage tester, plug­in circuit

  analyzer, neon voltage tester, and solenoidal voltage tester.

  An 18­in. auger bit—also called a ship’s auger—bores