Electrical Wiring Residential, 18th Edition

Book Preface

The 18th edition of Electrical Wiring—Residential is based on the 2014 National Electrical Code (NEC). The NEC is used as the basic standard for the layout and construction of residential electrical systems. In this text, thorough explanations are provided of Code requirements as they relate to residential wiring. To gain the greatest benefit from this edition, the student must use the NEC on a continuing basis.

It is extremely difficult to learn the NEC by merely reading it. This text brings together the rules of the NEC and the wiring of an actual house. You will study the rules from the NEC and apply those rules to a true-to-life house wiring installation. Take a moment to look at the Table of Contents. It is immediately apparent that you will not learn such things as how to drill a hole, tape a splice, fish a cable through a wall, use tools, or repair broken plaster around a box. These things you already know or are learning on the job. The emphasis of this text is to teach you how to wire a house that “Meets Code.” Doing it right the first time is far better than having to do it over because the electrical inspector turned down your job.

The first seven chapters in this book concentrate on basic electrical code requirements that apply to house wiring. This includes safety when working with electricity; construction symbols, plans, and specifications; wiring methods; conductor sizing; circuit layout; wiring diagrams; numerous ways to connect switches and receptacles; how to wire recessed luminaires; ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs); arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs); and surge suppressors.

The remaining chapters are devoted to the wiring of an actual house—room by room, circuit by circuit. All of these circuits are taken into account when calculating the size of the main service. Because proper grounding is a key safety issue, the subject is covered in detail.

You will also learn about security systems, fire and smoke alarms, low-voltage remote-control wiring, swimming pools, and standby generators, and you will be introduced to structured wiring for home automation.

You will find this text unique in that you will use the text, an actual set of Plans and specifications, and the NEC—all at the same time. The text is perfect for learning house wiring and makes an excellent reference source for looking up specific topics relating to house wiring. The blueprints serve as the basis for the wiring schematics, cable layouts, and discussions provided in the text. Each chapter dealing with a specific type of wiring * Reprinted with permission from NFPA 70-2014. is referenced to the appropriate plan sheet. All wiring systems are described in detail—lighting, appliance, heating, service entrance, and so on.

The house selected for this edition is scaled for current construction practices and costs. Note, however, that the wiring, luminaires, appliances, number of outlets, number of circuits, and track lighting are not all commonly found in a home of this size. The wiring may incorporate more features than are absolutely necessary. This was done to present as many features and Code issues as possible, to give the student more experience in wiring a residence. Also included are many recommendations that are above and beyond the basic NEC requirements.

Note: The NEC (NFPA 70) becomes mandatory only after it has been adopted by a city, county, state, or other governing body. Until officially adopted, the NEC is merely advisory in nature. State and local electrical codes may contain modifications of the NEC to meet local requirements. In some cases, local codes will adopt certain more stringent regulations than those found in the NEC. For example, the NEC recognizes nonmetallic-sheathed cable as an acceptable wiring method for house wiring. Yet, the city of Chicago and surrounding counties do not permit nonmetallic-sheathed cable for house wiring. In these areas, all house wiring is done with electrical metallic tubing (thinwall).

There are also instances where a governing body has legislated action that waives specific NEC requirements, feeling that the NEC was too restrictive on that particular issue. Such instances are very rare. The instructor is encouraged to furnish students with any local variations from the NEC that would affect this residential installation in a specific locality.