DIY Network

Getting Wired: What Is the Finish Stage? From "Blueprint for Home Building" episode DBHB-113

Figure A

Now that you know all about the rough-in stage and how important it is for you to do a walk-through of your electrical system before beginning, it's time for one more stage before the power is turned on -- the finish stage.

What Is the Finish Stage?

After your rough-in is complete other things will need to happen in your new home, such as putting in insulation (figure A) and drywall before the finishing stage can be done. Here are some of the elements in your electrical system that will be completed during the finish stage:

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Installing the doorbells is only one of the various things that must be done during the finish stage of completing your home's electrical system.

• Connecting all circuit breakers.

• Installing electrical appliances -- such as garbage disposals and bathroom fans.

• Connecting all telephone and cable lines.

• Adding exterior lights -- such as porch and security lights.

• Installing the doorbells.

Once the finish stage of your electrical system is complete, it will need to be inspected.

Note: At this point in the home building process there will be other trades -- such as plumbing and HVAC -- that will also be in their own finishing stages. For this reason, your electrical system may be inspected at the same time as several other systems in the house. Regardless, no power can be turned on n the house until your home's electrical system has passed its final inspection.

Figure B

Most inspectors are looking for the grounding because that's the most important part of the job. They will specifically dig into the electrical boxes and panels (figure B) to make sure that everything is properly grounded.

They do a walk-through of the house and check all the plugs to make sure they're working properly, and they make sure that an adequate number of plugs were installed. Keep in mind, however, that if any code violations are found, no matter how small, they must be repaired "before" the inspector will sign off on your electrical system.

Once an inspector has signed off on your electrical system's finish stage, power can be turned on in your house, and you'll be one step closer to completing the home building process.

In the final segment we'll take a look at electrical safety!

GUESTS :

Jeff Winkle
Director of Community Development
Cranberry Township
2525 Rochester Rd.
Cranberry Township, PA 16066-6499
Phone: 724-776-4806
Website: www.twp.cranberry.pa.us

Dana Bres
Research Engineer
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th St., SW
Washington, DC 20910
Phone: 202-402-5919
E-mail: dana.b.bres@hud.gov

Jack Tucker
Building Wisdom
We apologize no contact information is available.

Paul Trudeau
President
Hilltop Development
E-mail: paultrudeau@worldnet.att.net

Randy Gregg
Owner
Gregg Electric
E-mail: rlcsgregg@aol.com

Ron Henshaw
Manager of Code Administration
Cranberry Township
E-mail: henshawr@twp.cranberry.pa.us

Tom Gretz
Vice President and General Manager
Arlington Industries
Phone: 800-233-4717 (ext.3048)