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Applies to residential applications where twist-on wire connector is used
Resource: safe electric wiring
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How
to twist electric wire together Applies to residential applications where twist-on wire connector is used Resource: safe electric wiring |
| Wire size | |
| Use only 600 volt wire. Lamp cord, extension cords are not rated 600 volt. Use copper wire only. Aluminum wire is fire risk and should be avoided or installed by professional. 30 amp breaker use 10 gauge / 120-240 volt 30 amp outlet can be installed on 30 amp breaker only/ use 10 gauge wire ... cannot be connected to 15-20-40 amp breaker.  Orange/ #10 gauge wire, with ground ... 30 amp capacity. Safe maximum: 30 x 80% = 24 amps. Buy: 10-2 gauge/ 30 amp 10-3/ 30 amp Southwire electric tools |
Yellow
12 gauge 20 amp 120 volt 20 amp outlet can be installed on 20 amp breaker, but not 15 amp breaker/ use 12 ga wire. ... cannot be connected to 30-40 amp breaker. 1  Yellow/ #12 gauge wire, with ground ... 20 amp capacity. Safe maximum 16 amps. Buy: 12-2 gauge/ 20 amp 12-3/ 20 amp NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
| 50-60
amp breaker use 6 gauge / 240 volt 50 outlet can be installed on 50 amp breaker only  Buy: 6-2 wire Southwire electric tools NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
40-50
amp breaker use 8 gauge / 240 volt 40 amp outlet can be installed on 40 or 50 amp breaker only  Buy: 8-2 wire Southwire electric tools NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
 Protect wiring from damage Use nipper instead of pliers or screwdriver for removing staples (and nails). Do not damage cable or wires inside cable. -Code says: Cable SHALL BE secured without damage to the outer covering. NEC sec. 336-15 Buy End cutting nippers at Amazon |
 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 Telephone cable knife Low Voltage Mounting Bracket for Telephone |
 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 |
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Do not solder solid copper wires together Amperage on wire is heat, and can melt solder causing failed connection, and fire hazard. Twist wires together very tight. Twist connector very tight.  |
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Always
best to twist wires
.... but .... solid copper wires can be connected without twisting... Strip wires back to same length Use correct wire connector so it grabs both wires and covers all bare copper. Twist connector very tight. However.... a) Twisting gives permanence to connection. b) In high amperage usage, the wire connector can fail. c) Electricians twist wires  |
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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 wire 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 wire connector. |
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1) Strip
stranded wire longer 2) Wrap stranded around the solid wire 3) Twist wire connector over both wires 4) Twist wire connector very tight 5) Pull stranded wire and make sure it will not come loose Silver-colored stranded wire shown in image is steel and not aluminum. Steel stranded wire is available on some small electrical devices to save higher cost of using stranded copper wire. Never use aluminum wire. Residential codes do not allow aluminum wiring. Aluminum wire is a valid conductor used for power lines, but connections require compression fittings and devices that are rated for AL. Improper use of aluminum inside a home is a fire hazard. Must use switches and outlets rated for AL. Connecting aluminum and copper using ordinary wire connector instead of specified compression fitting is fire hazard since the aluminum expands when heated by amperage. The expansion and contraction of wires loosens connection, creating gaps for arcing that causes more overheating, that begins to melt the connection, eventually failing. |
 Look inside wire connector and see steel spring. Screw on wire connector and steel spring cuts into soft copper wire. Tighter you screw wire connector, the stronger the steel spring holds the wires together. |
 Twist connector very tight. |
 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. The main safety issue is 'can any of the wires be pulled loose after connector is tightened?' Pull on them firmly after connector is applied. Check it for sure.  The small wire can be wrapped or twisted together with one of the larger wires. DO NOT SOLDER connections Twist wire connector VERY tight Add black tape to hold the wires together if needed ... this helps hold in place both while connector is being installed, and after connector is finished. It is safe to leave black tape holding the wires. Resource: Safe electric wiring |
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 Solid copper wire only  Larger image Both wires MUST be same gauge Straighten each wire Tighten screw very tight against copper wire |
 Larger image Connect stranded and solid with wire connector and run jumper to screw plate. See example image |
 Household NM-B Wires are color-coded so inspectors/ electricians can easily identify which wire is used during construction |
Match
wire size and breaker amp rating If your home was wired by professional electrician who pulled permits, then circuit breaker and wire size will match. If manufactured home or travel trailer has not been altered by homeowner then breaker and wire size will match. If breaker is oversized for wire... fire danger Breaker can let too much electricity travel through the wire. Wire can overheat and cause fire. Call electrician if you suspect wiring is not correct, Absolute electrocution danger when removing cover off main panel. More information below. Main breaker terminals are still Hot when main breaker is turned off. Buy: Wire wire at Amazon Resource: correct wire and breaker size How to replace circuit breaker |
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-What is 3-phase electric: power plant to
end
user -Basic house wiring |
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