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  • Powering the House: Running the Electrical Wiring
  • From "Home IQ"
    episode DHIQ-111


    PHOTO

    Figure A
    Now that all the electrical boxes, switches and receptacles have been set, it's time for the electricians to run the wire.

    • The first order of business is to drill the holes for the wires (figure A). Centering each hole on a stud, the electrician creates an avenue for the wires to run, and with the right tools it takes little time.

      Note: The design for bringing electrical power to a room or area of the house is called a "daisy chain," which is wire carrying electricity from outlet to outlet -- creating the chain.


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    PHOTO

    Figure B
    PHOTO

    Figure C
    PHOTO

    Figure D
    PHOTO

    Figure E
    • Each one of the individual daisy chains is known as a "circuit" (figure B). The cable is stapled to keep it tight against the wall and to prevent it from being pulled when the receptacles are put in.

    • At the box the conduit is stripped from the cable, revealing a hot wire, a ground wire and a neutral wire (figure C).

    • Each box is set up identically, making the finish work easier.

    • Lighting boxes are wired in a similar fashion.

    • Each circuit is wired back to the electrical box where the power service enters the house. Every wire is labeled at the electrical box so later the electrician will know what wire goes where and what it's for.

    • Tying everything into the breaker box is a process known as "tucking the box" (figure D), which is basically an organized way of keeping all the wires in place. Different electricians have varying techniques where tucking is concerned, but basically they just want to keep the wires fastened and organized properly and securely to keep them from moving around.

    • While all this activity is going on inside, outside the power company brings the power to the house underground. This is work that should be done "only" by the electric company.

    • Once completed the electric company installs the electric meter and locks the box (figure E).

    With the electrical rough-in just about complete, Brad Oberg (the homeowner) stops by to take a look around, and he's pleased with everything he sees.

    In the last segment of this "Powering the House" episode, the homeowners get to test their new lighting technology.


    RESOURCES :

    Lighting for Oberg Home (Lutron Electronics and Sterling Lite)

    Lutron Electronics Co. Inc.
    Website: www.lutron.com

    Sterling Lite, Inc.
    20800 Rt. 19
    Cranberry Township, PA 16066
    Phone: 724-772-7474
    Fax: 724-772-3286
    E-mail: sterlite@stargate.net


    GUESTS :

    Brad and Lynn Oberg
    Homeowners
    Company: IBACOS (Brad)
    Title: Co-Founder/Chief Technology Officer
    Website: www.ibacos.com

    Greg Allen
    Site Supervisor
    Hendolhurst Homes
    955 Markman Park Rd.
    Baden, PA 15005
    Phone: 724-935-5658
    Fax: 724-935-0884
    E-mail: gcrbs@adelphia.net

    John Holton
    Senior Architect
    Ibacos
    Website: www.ibacos.com

    Phil Scheetz
    Residential Systems Sales Rep.
    Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    7200 Sutter Rd.
    Coopersburg, PA 18036
    Phone: 610-282-6274
    E-mail: pscheetz@lutron.com
    Website: www.lutron.com

    Alvin Sain
    Professional Engineer
    E-mail: alsain@zbzoom.net

    Caren Carter
    Lighting Sales Consultant
    Sterling Lite, Inc.
    20800 Rt. 19
    Cranberry Township, PA 16066-6006
    Phone: 724-772-7474
    Fax: 724-772-3286
    E-mail: sterlite@stargate.net

  • ALSO IN THIS EPISODE: