How to connect electric wires

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How to connect electric wires/ household 120-240 Volt
Safe electric wiring means
1) People are not endangered or harmed
2) The work meets safe electric practice and never creates a future hazard
How to wire commercial 3-phase

Multimeter Test for breaks in wire/ Test for voltage Most appliance require 80% rated voltage to function correctly Buy Analog multimeter Multimeters at Amazon Klein multimeter Electric testers at Amazon Clampmeter for testing amp flow on line Resource: How to test and replace element How to test thermocouple Element tests for 120 volts How to test wire	Safety when testing wires: Never touch wet or previously flooded appliance. Never stand on wet surface when working on electric. Never stand on bare soil, put down dry boards. Tape tester leads to wood sticks to keep hands away from power. Use non-contact voltage tester before touching wires. Never touch or lean into any made of metal. Remove metal objects from pockets. Do not use oxygen or fuel accelerants in same room as electrical repairs Resource: Basic house wiring	Non-contact voltage tester Test for power without touching connectors NEVER assume power is OFF Buy: Non-contact voltage tester Amazon Electric testers at Amazon Resource: How to test electric power is off
120 volt 15 amp devices including GFCI, timers, switches, plugs, wifi controls etc can be installed on 15 or 20 amp breaker. 120 volt GFCI, outlet, receptacle that is rated 20 amp can be installed on 20 amp breaker only, but NOT on 15 amp breaker. Buy 15 amp GFCI 20 amp GFCI	Buy Basic electric book Home plumbing/ electrical codes Or learn about basic household electricity... use and search my site/ Resource Safe electric wiring Basic house wiring	Use outlet tester to check for correct wiring on any 120 volt straight-blade outlet. Buy: Klein testers Outlet tester Circuit breaker finder Electric usage monitor
Non metallic flexible cables must carry ground wire, but do not have hazard of short circuit causing injury from shock. Armored steel cable can be used as a grounded connection, and will protect wires from damage. Metal can be energized from an insulation failure. All conduit ...metal, plastic ... flexible and rigid ... must be attached to structure, and attached to enclosures, boxes. Movement, damage and deterioration are major cause of electrical failure. Buy: Non-metallic flexible conduit Power whip Armored cable Southwire armored cable cutter Pull boxes	Electrical tools must be insulated. Always best to disconnect power, but insulation failure, lack of proper grounding, grounded neutral, lack of GFCI, out-of-code wiring, generator operating without transfer switch, and other problems still pose a risk to anyone working on electric power ... even when breaker is off. Buy: Electrician tools kits KLEIN TOOLS Tools kits IRWIN tools KNIPEX	Connect wire to screw terminal Use only 600 volt solid copper wire. Do not use stranded wire or extension cord. Do not use solder anywhere on residential 120-240 volt wiring. Attach electric installation to structure. Tighten screws very tight against wire. Buy: NEC books Dewalt plumbing/ electrical codes Basic electric book National electric code guide/ illustrated Resources: How to twist wire How to select and install twist-on wire connectors
Weatherproof lever switch on outdoor lights Safely operate outdoor toggle switch Replaces outdoor cover Install over top of ordinary switch Works with single-pole, double-pole, 3PST, 3-way, 4-way switches etc Use weatherproof box for outdoor Can be used indoor or outdoor Buy: Best choice: Cantex lever switch Outdoor lever switches at Amazon Lever switches Resource Cantex-toggle-switch-covers.pdf Cantex-PVC-junction-boxes.pdf	Terminals Buy: Crimping tool kit Blue for 16-14 wire Yellow for 12-10 wire Ratcheting Crimper Resource: How to install terminal	Push-on wire connectors in place of twist-on connectors Buy: Push on wire connectors Amazon Red 3P connector for 10-14 gauge wire Lever connectors for stranded wire at Amazon
Use nipper instead of pliers or screwdriver for removing staples (and nails). Do not damage cable or wires inside cable. Code -Cable SHALL BE secured without damage to the outer covering. NEC sec. 336-15 Buy End cutting nippers at Amazon	When removing insulation from wire, do NOT score or put cuts on surface of copper wire. Doing so increases resistances on wire and creates weak point. Buy tools: Wire strippers at Amazon Linesman pliers Pro linesman plier Needle nose pliers End cutting nippers at Amazon	6" Pull box Junction boxes for conduit and wiring Buy: Bud industries 6x6x4 best value/ no KO Raco 6x6x4 metal pull box Wiegman 6x6x4 pull box Hoffman 6x6x4 pull box Adamax raintight enclosure Raintight 6x6x4 box Pull boxes Buy: Pull boxes Polycarbonite boxes Resource: Enclosures and boxes

Connecting Wires

Wire connections/
Inadequate splices and connections cause many fires.
-Always tighten screws and connectors very tight against wire. -Do not re-use old twist-on wire connectors.
-Use clean wires ... sand off any corrosion, cut back any melted or burned end. Do NOT use damaged wire.
-Twist wires together so there are no gaps or looseness, and then cover completely with wire connector.

-Make hook shape with needle nose pliers when attaching wire to screw terminal.
-Never use stranded wire under screw terminal. Instead crimp on a terminal.
Heavy gauge wires are stranded. The wires can be joined inside a box using correct size large wire connector. Large wires should be connected to devices (subpanel etc) using a lug. Very large wires found in service disconnects and main breaker box require hex wrench for correct tightening.
-Straighten wires for lug and terminal connections.

How tight should wire be connected?
Always tighten screws very tight against copper wire ... and compress terminal and lug connections as hard as possible, using only quality terminals.
Don't use aluminum wire without proper rated connections, because aluminum expands more than copper and comes loose.
So is stranded comparable to using aluminum? I guess stranded copper is better than aluminum, but caution is advised.
Resource:
Terminals

Use correct size screwdriver when connecting wire to bonding lugs
Tighten very tight against copper wire.

If using Aluminum wire (not advisable to use aluminum) make sure the safety switch, and lug, or device is rated for CU-AL. Typically, CU-AL rating requires allen wrench to tighten lugs, and not a screw.

Allen wrench will give more torque on the screw so it will tighten firmly and not move.

Larger wire sizes have allen wrench screw for correct torque on the wire

Buy:
Klein screwdrivers
Bonding lugs
Ground or terminal bars
Terminal block

	Copper part of wire is completely covered Twist-on wire connectors are very reliable, and withstand overamperage and severe conditions of residential electricity. Applies to wires that are twisted together Applies to wires that are placed sided-by-side Applies to stranded and solid wires Professional electricians twist size 10-12-14 gauge wires. Larger gauge wires are not twisted together, but joined side by side. Heavy amp wires or large gauge wires are connected side by by side... best is a lug connection. Professional commercial wiring considerations are different than residential wiring in some ways because of higher amperage, more usage, and larger wires etc. Resource How to twist wire
Strip wire carefully so the copper is not scored or cut. Use linesman pliers to twist the wire together. Grab ends of wire firmly with pliers, rotate wrist while holding insulated part of wire. The twist must be tight, with no gaps. Wires must be stripped back to equal length. Ends of both wires must be equal ... use linesman pliers to snip to equal length. Buy tools: Wire strippers at Amazon Linesman pliers Utility knife at Amazon End cutting nippers at Amazon
	How to connect stranded wire and solid wire If stranded wire is thinner than solid: Strip back stranded wire so there is more copper visible than solid wire. Wrap stranded wire around solid copper. Leave solid wire straight. When connecting two solids and one stranded: twist solids together first, then wrap stranded wire around solids. Apply connector very tight. Pull stranded wire to make sure it is tight. If stranded wire is same diameter as solid: Cut off both same length Don't twist together, cover with connector.
Different size and types (solid and stranded) can be joined under same wire connector as shown. If one wire is smaller there is risk it can pull loose, or come loose. or the connector will not bite into the copper and stay fixed to the wires. The main safety question is: Can any of the wires be pulled loose after connector is tightened? Pull on each wire firmly after connector is installed. Check it for sure. A poor connection is a likely source of flickering and failed circuit. A loose connection will begin to arc. IN the best case, it will simply come apart and circuit will fail. Worst case, it can cause fire. If the connection is located inside approved electrical enclosure with matching cover that is secured tightly, the the fire should not spread. Instead the wires will melt, tripping breaker, or simply melt enough to longer make electrical contact, and the circuit no longer works. The smallest wire can be wrapped or twisted together with one of the larger wires. DO NOT SOLDER household wiring Solder is used for low voltage applications (circuit boards) and will melt and come loose when used for ordinary 120-240 volt applications. Use approved wire connector instead. Twist wire connector VERY tight Add black tape to hold the wires together if needed ... this helps hold wires in place both while connector is being installed, and after connection is finished. It is safe to leave black tape holding the wires as illustrated below. Buy Outdoor wire connector Wire connector assortment
Plastic tape and friction tape Use wire connector instead of tape to join wires together. Twist-on wire connector is very reliable under all conditions found in household electrical system. The metal spring coil inside wire nut cuts into and grips wires firmly. Always tighten wire connector very tight. Do not reuse old wire connectors. Tape can be added OVER the top of wire nut ... but it is NOT recommended or necessary. For hard-to-wire connections, wires can be taped together to aid installation of wire connector. Do NOT use tape to cover bare part of wire and then cover tape with wire connector. The metal spring coil inside wire connector must bite into bare copper. Black plastic tape will fail in outdoor application unless sufficient tape is used. Friction tape is better choice than plastic tape for outdoor. With wire connector, the metal coil spring that bites into the copper can deteriorate (rust) in damp locations. Fill wire connector with silicone for more permanent outdoor connection. Professional electricians working with larger wires and higher-voltage commercial applications connect wires using professional grade black plastic tape, sometimes adding friction tape for weather resistance. For these high amperage applications, a lug is best choice. However tape is used for large wires and high amp-volt commercial applications since wire connectors will fail, or connectors are too small for the application. Often the commercial connections consume entire roll of tape per connection. The tape is wrapped very tight and done in specific manner to meet commercial wiring codes.

Keep wires straight
Use solid copper wire
If wiring terminal or end of wire are covered with green, use emery board to clean terminal and sandpaper to clean wire.

Applies to timers, wifi etc/ info source Intermatic	Larger image	Both wires MUST be same gauge Straighten each wire If wire is corroded or overheated, clean the end with sandpaper and wipe with cloth. If wire has been melted, cut back and reattach, or replace wire. Tighten screw very tight against copper wire
Use wire connector	Use push-on wire connectors	3 wires/ or different gauge wires Join wires with wire connector or push-on connector Run jumper to screw terminal. Buy: Push on wire connectors at Amazon Red 3P connector (shown) for 10-14 gauge wire Connector assortment Resource: How to select and install wire connector
Larger image	Fire safety/ Do not put stranded wire under screw plate Problem1: picture shows 2 different gauge wires under screw plate Problem2: Stranded wire will expand and contract and come loose under screw plate, even if it is the only wire under the screw plate. Attach stranded wire and solid wire with connector, and run solid copper jumper wire to screw terminal Resources: Timer caught fire Load ratings for Intermatic timers/ pdf

Electricity is a combination of voltage and amperage.
Volts x Amps = Watts (power consumed)
Resource: Ohm's Law
The voltage pushes amperage (current of electrons) across and through the matrix (atomic structure) of a conductor (wire). The conductor always offers resistance (measured in ohms) to the current of amperage. Resistance is like friction, so when too much amperage is being pushed down a wire because of undersized wire or short circuit (fault), then the wire begins to get hot, melt and catch fire. The circuit breaker (overcurrent protection) responds to heat on wire and trips off the power.

The breaker responds to amperage, not voltage.
The breaker does not respond to ordinary household voltage spikes, for example when inductive loads like a motor activates, but a breaker can trip if lightning strike energizes the wire with enough voltage. For voltage spikes, a surge protector is used.
The breaker is designed to respond to overcurrent of amperage that exceeds breaker rating, for example a ground fault (short circuit/ insulation failure), but the breaker does not respond as quickly as the ground wire, nor as quickly as GFCI. The overcurrent from a fault starts running into the ground wire first, helping the breaker and wires by redirecting as many electrons as possible into the ground rod and earth. Once the breaker trips, the overcurrent event (fault event) is stopped.

Because the breaker does not trip instantly, a fault current poses hazard to anyone coming into contact with live electricity. This problem is mitigated by properly grounding all circuits, metal boxes etc, never using ground wire as a Neutral, and installing GFCI where needed. How to wire GFCI

Voltage is measured as a potential across two different wires. Voltage remains relatively steady at all times, except for brief surge events.
Amperage is measured as a flow of current along a wire. Amperage changes with usage, with more amperage flowing on the wire when appliances are turned on. Buy: Clampmeter for testing amp flow on line

Never assume electricity is OFF
Power safety:
120 volts AC is the most common voltage, and most common killer.

Turn power off
All electricity is attracted to ground (earth). If you're standing on bare soil or touching anything that is grounded, you are giving electricity a direct route to earth.
Do not touch electrical equipment unless power is off.
Install GFCI on kitchen, bathroom, basement, laundry room, garage, attic, and outdoor outlets. How to wire GFCI
Use 3-prong grounded tools and equipment. Do not cut off the ground prong.
Never stand in water or wet surface when around electricity
Never stand on bare soil. Stand on dry boards.

Electricians use fiberglass ladder. How to climb on roof
Do not touch or lean into anything made of metal when working on electricity. Remove metal from pockets. Do not hold metal tools in mouth.
Use non-contact voltage tester to make sure power is OFF before making repairs.
Use GFCI-protected circuits for bathroom and outdoor circuits.
Install safety switch, or pull-out cut off on HVAC and any machine or electrical appliance where electrical breaker panel is not in direct sight line. How to wire safety switch

Use non-contact voltage tester on timer, wire, outlet, switch, motor etc to see if power is present.

Press button on tester, if single beep then no power is present. If continuous beep then power is present.

Tape tester leads to wood sticks, never touch wet water heater (or appliance, timer, motor), or flooded water heater that had a short or fire without turning power OFF.

Buy:
Analog multimeter
Multimeters at Amazon
Buy non-contact voltage tester at Amazon
Electric testers at Amazon
fiberglass ladder
Resources:
How to wire GFCI
Wire connectors

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Terminals

Push-on wire connectors in place of twist-on connectors