Most homeowners would like to tackle a project on their own either to save a buck or to gain the satisfaction of doing it themselves. Whether due to poor home maintenance or just regular wear and tear, something is bound to come up and will require attention in your home with the potential of becoming a do-it-yourself (DIY) project.
In terms of electrical issues, it is highly recommended that you seek a qualified electrician who is knowledgeable in handling them safely due to the standards that have been set by the National Electric Code. These include requirements in the amperage for certain circuits, circuit breakers, and wiring specifications and where holes should be drilled.
Electrical Projects You Should Not Attempt Yourself
Before setting out to do an electrical project yourself, consider that the more complex the task or the more advanced knowledge it requires, the better that it is handled by professionals. The following is a list of electrical projects that you should not attempt to do yourself:
1. Work on replacement or repair of circuit breaker or electrical panel
The circuit breaker controls the electrical system and responds by protecting it from overcurrent. As such, it plays a very important role in keeping your home safe from fires that can result from overheating due to excessive electrical loads. Because the circuit breaker involves complicated wiring and circuitry, damage to it by inexperienced DIYers may have dangerous consequences. Whether a repair or a replacement is needed, a fully qualified and licensed electrician would be the best man.
2. Installation or upgrade of wiring in the house
Safety is the priority when it comes to electrical work in the home. Home fires as a result of faulty or incorrect wiring are very common. The safest route in ensuring that electrical shorts will not be an issue would be to let an experienced electrician handle this complicated project. Additionally, if wiring is not done correctly, it would be a cause for a failed home inspection if you should ever plan to sell your house.
3. Replacement or repair of faulty outlet
If it’s just a matter of replacing the face plate, it is a simple DIY project and installing an outlet shouldn’t be too hard, either. It becomes complicated when an underlying cause is found, especially when there are tell-tale signs such as a burnt outlet, or an outlet that smells burnt or feels hot. If you discover sparks upon plugging into an outlet, that is a concern, too, since the issue could be in the wiring and circuits. It is better to err on the side of caution by letting a professional electrician handle the problem to resolve it safely and correctly.
4. Installation of a dedicated circuit
You will need a circuit that specifically handles the increased electrical demand of your home’s new high-powered appliance or device. Having a dedicated circuit helps prevent an overload on the present circuitry, and you should leave this task to a qualified electrician to minimize electrical hazards.
Safety Tips to Keep in Mind
Electrical work around the home as a DIY project can be challenging and rewarding at the same time. Although as previously mentioned, certain projects should be done by qualified electricians, the DIY homeowner is not left without an electrical project he can manage on his own. Before diving into that though, here are a few safety precautions:
- Turn the power off. This is the number one safety measure. Injuries due to electrocutions are a highly potential risk involved in any electrical work. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 400 electrocutions per year have been recorded in the US. Property losses, injuries, and deaths were caused by fires related to electrical failure and wiring hazards. Cut off the power via the circuit breaker panel or unplug the device or appliance.
- Label breaker switches. When you have to work on a switch or an outlet, it would be much safer and more convenient to know which breaker you need to shut off. If your circuit breaker switches are not as organized as you had hoped, you can start testing each outlet individually. Plug in a light source such as a lamp or a radio to act as an auditory signal (e.g., music) to help you determine which breaker belongs to which outlet.
- Test the wires. Before touching any wires, make sure the power has been turned off. If possible, use a multimeter or a voltage tester to ensure that there is no current running.
- Stay away from pipes. It is important to know about the electrical system in your home so that you can be sure of remaining safe. Additionally, make sure that you stay away from pipes in your plumbing system or gas supply.
- Keep up on NEC updates. The National Electric Code is the standard of safety for the installation, design, and inspection of electrical systems in both residential and commercial settings. Its aim is to safeguard people and property from electrical hazards. Following the NEC is the minimum requirement to make sure your electrical work is up to code.
- Get the necessary permits. To prevent code violations and fines for doing major electric work, obtain the proper permits. In Ohio, a homeowner can pull a permit for electrical work, but to be sure, check with your local building department. Typically, a permit would be needed for any work involving new wiring, installing a new outlet or circuit breaker, or anything that constitutes an upgrade. Replacing fans, light fixtures, or maintenance work on electrical systems will not generally require a permit.
- Know your limits. Even if you feel up to the electrical task, one thing you have to be certain of is your ability to do the job safely and correctly. If you have questions, seek the advice of real experts, and furthermore, hire an electrical contractor who will be able to check your progress and offer advice. If it gets overwhelming, stop and consider the risks involved. Hire a qualified electrician.
DIY Projects You Can Do
So what are the safe electrical projects for the average DIYer? After considering what you absolutely must leave for licensed electricians to perform, here are those that you as a homeowner, can pursue yourself:
Replace a light fixture or change a light bulb
A light fixture is a light source that has electrical components like a ballast, reflector, and drivers, as well as housing, a mount or socket, protectors, and connectors to the light source, making it a complete lighting unit. Light fixtures come in many forms such as:
- chandeliers
- flush and semi-flush ceiling-mounted fixtures
- pendant lighting
- recessed lighting
- track lighting
- vanity lights
- desk lamps
- ceiling fans
Although a qualified electrician is recommended to handle light fixtures, the DIYer can certainly manage to replace a light fixture with safety precautions in mind. Make sure to plan ahead with all the necessary tools on hand. These may include wire cutters, a drill or screwdriver, voltage tester, etc. Before starting, turn off the circuit breaker or the power to the whole area you’re working on. Remove the old fixture by unscrewing it and disconnecting all the wires. Attach the new fixture securely in place by joining its wires to the existing wiring. Use a voltage tester to make sure the connection is safe. If you are changing a light bulb, the procedure is very simple as it only involves unscrewing the old bulb from its receptacles and replacing it with a new (or more efficient) one.
Rewire a lamp
In most cases, rewiring a lamp would be more cost-effective than buying a new one, and it is not a complicated process. All that needs to be done is to free up the old cord which you can access from the bottom of the lamp by cutting the cord (using wire cutters or scissors). Pull the cut cord from the top with may also need to be freed from the socket by loosening the screws that attach the wires to the socket. Feed a new wire into the lamp from the bottom, working to put the new wire all the way to the top. Split the strand and expose the wire using wire cutters. Connect the wires to the socket, and you’ll be good to go.
Replace the plug on an electrical or extension cord
This is a simple DIY project and, for the most part, easier than buying a new one, which may save you some money. A plug at the end of an electrical cord damaged can be replaced. Replacement plugs are available in any hardware store, and the only tools you need for this DIY project are:
- a wire cutter, blade or scissors,
- screwdriver, and
- a multimeter to check the electrical connections made.
To start, cut off the damaged plug and any part of the cord that may have been damaged as well. Peel off the main cord sheathing to expose the three strands of conductors (of a three-way plug). It is important to take note of the wire colors of the insulation of the three conductors when you connect them to the new plug:
- · Black – the hot wire that connects to the gold/brass screw
- White – the neutral wire that connects to the silver screw
- Green wire – the ground wire, which corresponds to the green-tinted screw
After exposing about ¼ to ½ inch of copper wire underneath these colored wires, attach the copper wiring to the colored screws that they should match up with in the new plug, tightening them to ensure a good connection. Make sure that the clamp for the main cord is nice and tight as well. This acts as strain relief and gives your new cord some security, ensuring the conductors in the new plug will not just get pulled off easily. Check for the electrical connection (continuity) by using a multimeter to see if you have replaced the plug of an extension cord.
Electrical projects around the house are challenging enough and therefore, safety should be at the forefront. A few projects can be confidently handled by a regular homeowner on his own, but for most electrical work, a licensed electrician is required, giving you the peace of mind that the electrical issue you are dealing with is handled correctly and safely. Our qualified electricians at Five Star Home Services are readily available to help with all the electrical needs in your home. Call Five Star Home Services at (833) 405-8009.