DIY Electrical Wiring! Fast, Safe Home Wiring Basics for Switches and Outlets
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- Опубліковано 6 лип 2024
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Today we're discussing electrical wiring basics! I walk through how to choose the correct wire and what is inside, as well as the connectors available. You'll definitely want to check out the new, easy push in connectors and the outlets that make side wiring so much easier.... and more! Watch this video, quickly learn the basics and you can wire your next switch or outlet without the cost of an electrician!
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Welcome to the official April Wilkerson UA-cam channel! I’m April and I’m the creator of Wilker Do’s. I am an obsessed DIYer and Woodworker. I'm not professional or have any training, so I just pick the project I want to tackle and figure it out step by step. On this channel you will find a variety of content like DIY home improvement, How-To’s, construction, design and more!
#AprilWilkerson #electrical #diy - Навчання та стиль
As a master electrician of 30 years your video is dead on! Good job!
Even though you are correct on all of your info in my opinion the only thing that I have a problem with (even though they are UL listed, and a lot of people use them) is the push in connectors. I am coming around to those, but still have a hang up on them. They work the same as the back stab ports on the outlet. I am also old school if the conductors are all solid my guys twist the wires together before installing the wire nut. I've seen too many loose wires under a wire nut that have caused problems. It is one way to insure the connection is tight. But you and everyone is correct, the manufacturer of the wire nuts do not require pre-twisting of the conductors. Like I said, I've been doing this for a while. When I started my apprenticeship my old boss made us solder ALL of our connections other than grounds. Code did not allow soldering of the grounds back then. You know what,there were ZERO lose connections too.
Ditto to your comment on the WAGO's
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching.
Heads up-you should give the Wago lever nuts (221) a try. The awful push in connectors that are readily available in the US suck.
As an Industrial Electrician, we use a lot of single wire for wiring because it's easier to pull through conduit. It's 99% stranded wire. If the connection goes to a receptacle or a light switch, It cannot be put under the terminals without being tinned, using a stakon connector or other crimp on connector to make the exposed end solid. This is especially true for those of us who like the industrial look in our shops and garages, with exposed conduit. Still a lot of great information for the non-electricians in the group.
Never tin a wire and then put it into a screw or crimp terminal, you'll get bad connections later on. It's OK to crimp a wire and then solder it if you don't trust the crimp.
For putting stranded wire into a screw terminal, use wire ferrules.
Jumping on to your comment to mention to people reading that you can use romex inside of conduit (as long as it isn’t in a location that is exposed to moisture) but if you do so you should leave the outer insulation on as the inner insulation isn’t listed for use in raceways.
@@timr86868 Putting Romex in conduit for protection is something to do for shallow burial. I am used to running single conductors in conduit in the air and buried. These conductors are meant for conduits and raceways and have adequate insulation properties built into the insulation, at a minimum of 300Volts.
April, Excellent video. I started designing electrical systems in 1983. I believe Wago wire connectors came into our shop in 1984, and I used the original designed ones in my house in 1985. They have been around a long time. One technical point, per NEC definitions, there are lighting outlets, smoke detector outlets, receptacle outlets, etc. What you held in your hand is a duplex receptacle. A minor point to most, but important one when interpreting the NEC. Again excellent video! Respectfully, Kevin
I can't believe I didn't know what the holes in the wire strippers were for. Thanks for the tip. I really appreciate all the tips I get from you. You're a wealth of information.
Glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching.
While you can put wires into a wire nut without pre twisting, the reason it’s shown to pre twist is because over time they can loosen and arc causing a fire. I have seen this happen to many times in my career as a firefighter.
Nice to see an informative and clearly presented video - especially on electrical basics. I am a retired contractor but an amateur at electrical work that will be installing receptacles and switches today. The only thing I might add to the video is the direct burial wire nut usually fails after a few years. In my low voltage landscape lighting, I’ve had to replace every connection because of the corrosion, which caused a big voltage drop. There are much better connections available for this application. I look forward to more of your videos! Thanks.
To echo other comments:
Try Wago connectors. Not as picky on gauge as wire nuts, contact for each wire is independent of the other connections, easy to release when needed, reusable.
wago 221 is a single best thing since the dawn of time.
Yeah what I like about Wago is that it doesn't stick out as much as these wire nuts
And depending on your location and the type of Wago, some of them are approved for direct use with stranded wire (which used to have to have crimp cable shoes in my location for everything else eg. terminal blocks and such.)
i discovered them a few years ago... have slowly replaced every wire nut in my house.. the bigger wire nuts are good for capping caulking tubes, but i collect the old ones and leave them at the share shack at the dump - someone will use them.
Assuming they're NEC approved, I now wonder if Wagos increase the number of connectors allowed in a certain size box? If they are as popular as it seems, have they changed the stamping/molding inside the box to reflect the space saved?
I always thought they looked to much like backstabbing tabs on devices (guaranteed failure), but I've yet to hear anything bad about them...
I'll have to try them.
I watch a lot of British/UK sparks...they hate our wire nuts...I kind of do too...I tend towards Wago connectors for my wiring...much easier to separate than the push-in kind.
Those nuts suck. Wago is the way. Sure they cost more but unless you build or rewire your whole place you usually don’t need many. Much easier to fit into small compartments and save a lot of time and pulled hair. Also less room for error.
@@bdoggtoronto lol. Of course you don’t see those wire knots melt because the house already burned down.
@@bdoggtoronto if you are such a pro as you pretend to be why don't you give me some of the properties why twisty nuts beat Wago because so far you have delivered zero argument just name dropping titles and made up claims like Wagos melt.
@@bdoggtoronto All cool and dandy. In. Germany they are seen as antiquated methods and nobody is using them anymore if they can avoid it, everyone uses Wago or similar.
@@bdoggtoronto Dude they are 32A rated. At this point i wonder if we talk about the same thing cause what you say makes no sense. Can you link me to the clamps you have in mind?
🙋🏽♀️ I refrain from dealing with electrical projects. Actually hate having to deal with it. However know I have several areas I need to do electrical upgrades. So this video is great and right on time!
I recommend twisting conductors when using wire nuts, especially when there are 3 or more. The wires can separate over time due to movement from heating and cooling. Also, wrap solid wires AROUND stranded ones; it's counterintuitive, but a far stronger connection. I've found plenty of loosened wires in residential and commercial settings because people "just want to get it done".
How did this comment get so overlooked?
Also... .Make sure you screw down any unused screws on the sides of an outlet. This can prevent shorts and arcing.
i'm a belt and suspenders kind of person - i also put one wrap of electrical tape around the entire thing before i stuff it back in.
@@rapunzeleh546
An _extra mile_ kind of guy. I respect that.
But we really only do that when putting the device into a metal box.
Nothing wrong with redundant safety, though...
Good information for a DIYer! The only thing I would correct is the direct burial wirenuts. Even though they have that gel, water will still find a way to get in and wreck the connection. I have seen it more times then I can count. If you must make a splice in the ground they make special splice kits for direct burial, or install an accessible ground box. The exception to this would be for low voltage lighting.
Great basic information to get people started doing some of their own stuff and getting them to do it right and avoid some of the pitfalls of dyi. One thing I did notice though was a burn on your wire strippers. I've had that happen myself and it's a great lesson to make sure you power off the circuit before working on the wiring if you're doing a update. LOTO is a life saver. No one likes to have a sudden "shock". 😁
I grew up with this: Gardner Bender CR-100 4-Inch Romex Cable Ripper. The price is a bit too much for what it is but anyone inexperienced at removing the outer covering should get this rather than using a pocket knife.
lovin these electrical vids. Your woodworking is always so good, and these are no different. The "add a plug" video couldnt have came at a more ideal time as I was doing just that the day after the video came out. Id love to see some different ways to wire light switches if you feel like doing more of these. Either way, thanks! LOve the channel
A good basic video about wiring, plus I always seem to pick up a tip or two. Thanks for Sharing!
Glad it was helpful!
Great summary video April! Thanks a bunch!
Why not wagos? so much better
Definite like and will be referenced for my house project visions later. Thank you!
As always, another GREAT VIDEO. 2022 will be great as long as April keeps making videos.
Thanks! Glad you enjoy my channel. Thanks for watching.
Great tip about checking wire gauge with a dime or quarter. Very helpful video, as usual, April.
Glad it was helpful!
You can use the wire stripper to check the gauge too.
The issue with mixing aluminum and copper wiring is electrolysis of dissimilar metals that erodes the wires.
It's a little of both, depending on what you've got connected to what. Wire nutting a copper and aluminum wire together is more likely to result in corrosion. Using aluminum wire under a non-aluminum rated screw connector is more likely to cause the screw to loosen because of the different rates of thermal expansion (more pronounced when a higher current is pulled). All modern switches, outlets, breakers, etc are stamped with whether they're copper only ("CU ONLY") or compatible with either ("CU-AL", typically).
they make marretes for this exact aplication all you have to do is put anti oxidant on bothe wires
@@Vanilla_Icecream1231
They even make purple wire nuts with de-ox already inside specifically for this purpose. Expensive as baby formula, but necessary by code in some jurisdictions.
Good job April, thanks for sharing with us. Fred.
I need to buy some of those push connectors. This video was packed with a lot of useful information. Awesome Video April!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the overview of DIY wiring.
April and electrical work! Yes!
Great video. Love the studio space
You're on your way to 1.5 million subs.
Woo-hoo! :)
Enjoyed watching thanks for sharing 😀
Great video April. Always best to start with the basics.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
Nice video April. Your blend of smart and talented make for easy viewing and learning.
Glad it was helpful!
I feel like watching this is the equivalent of stealing the Teacher's Edition. "Don't do it, you'll get in trouble!! It'll go on your permanent recoooorrrd!
Nice explanation thanks 🙏
Thank you. I never had anyone to teach me anything or everything you post. You re awesome.
Glad to help. Thanks for watching.
I like the Bookshelves or whatever that step thing is in the background you have. good video April :)
great refresh, thanks
Very thorough refresher. Especially agree with no "back" wiring, stab wiring into the back of outlets. Found 3 at my dad's house that pulled right out with no resistance. You will hear many horror stories of them, just wire to the screws and be able to sleep at night!
Excellent info April. Great video. Just a warning, if you have 240v, a professional sparky needs to do this type of work. 👍👍
Awesome 👌 video thanks
April you're an amzing and talented person. Thank you.
: ) Thank you so much
Your donit yourself attitude is contagious. Good content all around. Good work on the videos april 🤩
Thank you so much!
Great information always helpful 👍. Thanks 😊 🙏
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent video and info! Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Thumbs up and thanks for posting!
Saving for reference!
I’m always learning great stuff here...Salute
Thanks! Glad you enjoy my channel.
Great DIY Thank you
Glad you liked it!
Another great video Ms April ❤️
Thank you! Glad you enjoy my channel. Thanks for watching.
Thank you.
I like what you did on wiring an outdoor outlet, one question,did you tie into one from inside the house, our did you run a separate wire?
Great Video, many cool tips!
Glad you like them! Thanks for watching.
Thank you it was very informative.
Glad it was helpful!
Ms Wilkerson, could you build a table for the back porch that would hold a kamado grill. I need a table. Figured you might have a plan or two. Thank you
Good refresher just saying
From all the way to Northern Ireland we think your great
Is there a particular brand of AFCI you recommend? In principle, they're a great idea, but some of them mistake electrical noise for arcing and false trip a lot.
Great vid!!
April, I have been watching you for a few years and you are really aging well I mean this is Kind, always looking the same as the day I started watching. Always entertaining and inform table, knowledgeable and fun as well as funny. I even enjoy your Bloopers although I have not seen too many. Thank you for your enjoyable videos have a wonderful weekend . Laterz Leland That's see ya' later in my Lingo ha ha -Leland
Another handy tip is that almost every outlet, switch, and breaker made these days has a wire strip gauge molded into it. And if you can't remember "gold means hot", the side of a standard wall outlet with the smaller hole is always hot. In the US, this will always be on the right side of the outlet. Non-polarized outlets do not meet code.
I love you and love your job very wonderful I am from Syria
Awesome information🤙🏿💯
Glad it was helpful!
It's amazing how thick the electrical wires are for the 110v system.
R=U/I
Good info.
Glad it was helpful!
I have a short in two or three places where I have a short in the fixtures. What can I do about this? It's in the on/off switch.
Thanks April. Great video as always. However, I did notice the arc marks on the back of your wire stripers. Around the 6:25 mark. Looks like somebody made a mistake. I hope nobody was hurt. This is a great reminder of how easy it is to make a serious error. Great to know others do this as well as me. LOL. I am an electrician and understand how easy it is to get complacent. That is why some of my tools have arc marks as well. I agree with all of the information you put out though. I am a big fan by the way. I try to do a bit of carpentry as a side hustle. Your videos are a go to for me.
As a member of the electrician community I highly recommend twisting your joints even though you don’t have to
You seem happier. Right-on.
Hi April, awesome informative video. I just subscribed to your channel. If you don't mind, what paint color code is the blue in this video? Looks awesome. Thanks
Muy bien echo 😊
Quick Tip: if you need to put a stranded wire into a push connection solder the tip first to make it a solid.
I like that you mentioned aluminum wiring and not connecting it directly to copper, and not using the push connections built into outlets (seen so many issues from those)
Great idea! Thanks for sharing and for watching.
nice information👍
me ebcantan tus videos y las soluciones que das siempre, un gran saludo desde Orense España. Psd. que bueno seria los videos con subtitulos en español
I agree!! mas opciones para subtitulos en varios (languages--working my brain here a lil help!) would certainly be nice. I wonder if this is a youtube channel option? Feliz ano Nuevo!
I think you can add a language {Spanish} to your youtube account then it should be able to translate from that setting. Siento de no se como explicar lo mejor!
I wish I could use Romex. Up here in Chicago all wiring has to be inside solid or flexible metal conduit. And many older houses has the wiring run inside old gas pipes from the original gas lights.
Thanks, learned a few things. I don't normally deal with electrical work often and any tips help me quite a bit.
@@bdoggtoronto Care to expand on what exactly she is wrong about? Several very experienced electricians seem to agree with her.
Also, pretty sure she's not in Canada.
@@bdoggtoronto I'm not implying anything. You said she was wrong about a lot of things. I asked if you could expand on that. Pretty simple.
The same reason electricians don’t like the back stab plugs, Is also the reason they don’t like the stab blocks in lieu of wire nuts. None of the stab connections hold up over time, junk.
Also I don’t recommend stripping romex with a utility knife blade. Too easy to cut through into the underlying insulation. Use a tool or just grab the ground wire with pliers and pull. It will cut right through the outer jacket.
Love your videos and the variety of projects you tackle.
Yes, not liking the jacket stripping with a knife either, way to easy to cut the inner wires that way. Great point.
Better explained than a pro electrician
I want to learn home electricity course online. Can you recommend a school or a website that i can learn with?. Thank you.
The biggest problem with direct copper to aluminum use is galvanic corrosion because of the difference in their anodic placement. In West Texas probably not as fast a reaction as say Florida where it’s high humidity year round.....
Remodeling our bedroom that was stuck in the 70’s. You wouldn’t believe the shoddy wiring we found in the walls! Connections buried, wires twisted and only taped- no wire nuts! We’re taking the stupid out of this house. 👍🏼
🌿Hola Señora April 🌿
Admiró su talento, me gustaría mucho que agregara subtítulos en Español a sus videos por favor. Gracias 👍
I bloody love you.. 👍❤️😎🏴
When are you going to install solar panels to woodshop?
Great video April! Thanks for sharing a lot of excellent wiring points. Some of the little things you did are super, ie.. bending the wire end with screw cutter! Thanks again.
saw you on Next...thankful for stumbling on April... now I know how to use a knob...? :)
Wow don’t fancy trying that with our 250v british wiring best thing get in a good electrician
There's nothing special about 250V wiring. In fact, the US most homes have 240V at the panel with 2 leg circuits. The 120V circuits are really only have of a 240V 2 leg system.
Where did you get these huge tree slabs
If your doing three or more wires in a wirenut its important that they are all even or one will slip out, it can be tricky so pre twist them together with pillars, you're going to save some time and hassle.
Use wago wire nuts.
I'm not a fan of electrical work. Watching your videos helps me to get over my fears.
Are you using an 8k camera to film? We just watched this one and we are getting 8k quality on our side. Either way thanks for the info. We plan on rewiring some things outside our new home come spring.
Glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching.
This woman teaches better than most men she earns all my respect
Thanks! I'm glad you found it useful.
I always try to find the wise woman teaching. Woman have such an eye for detail and safety.
Just wish you would have clarified that if you were to bury a splice you can only do so when using cable that's listed for direct burial such as landscape lighting cable
I noticed you didn't show spring lever terminals which although being more expensive than the basic ones, are the easiest to connect and disconnect multiple times without damaging the wires.
Are they not usual over there? I would like to know because certainly the types of wire connectors depend on markets and regions throughout the world.
A majority of the big box hardware stores in the U.S. don't have Wago (or similar) connectors. While I use them and most of the individuals in my circles use them, they arent required by code and are often overlooked since most people would have to go out of their way to special order them.
Wago 221 lever nuts a becoming more popular over here. Until recently they were only available online in many locations in the US, but now my local HD caries the 2 and 3 port varieties. No 5 port yet, but they are very useful.
Wago are too new here in the states, a lot of electricians don't even know that they are code compliant.
I get mine from Amazon.
Gas. natural gas is the most scary thing to work on as a home owner. Electricity is a close second. appreciate the videos. keep on doing what you do.
Thanks MAAM. WE WOMEN KNOW HOW TO GET ER DONE.!!! FROM TEXAS!!
Twisting the conductors prevents loss down the line if the wire nut ever gets compromised..
I was hoping she'd pay homage to Electroboom and we'd see some sparks fly!
Use Wago connectors and leave that 70s technology to the past. There are also connectors with latches, way easier to use.
Always an expert in the crowd with no tact.
@@biologistjim4905 I’m saying this so folks watching this video won’t go through what I did. Those twisting connectors are a pain to use. Same goes for the wagos without latches, if you have to undo them multiple times, you’ll see what I mean. The ones with latches are the Wago 221 model. So nothing to do with tact here, mate.
Wago connectors are nice but twist connect also works well
Wago 221 lever nuts will accept solid and stranded wire, push ins only work with solid wire.
Your right. Wago connectors make it so easy to connect. Twisting 4 wires will make you use wago.
In order: Common sense says using wire nuts underground should require twisting the wires first? That is unless you don't mind locating a faulty underground splice requiring a special instrument sometime in the future??
DOGGO ALERT AT 5:10
Thanks for this. Never use the push-in connection receptacles (IMHO they should be banned) and always pay a few cents more and get the heavy duty receptacles like you show here. I never did get used to using a stripper. I do have a romex sheathing stripper though. A good pair of electrician pliers (Kleins) is a must for any electrical work and I still always use wire nuts, I don't trust the push-in connectors either for the same reason the push-in receptacles are an issue.