Beginners Electrical Class

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. Understanding electricity
2. Safety talk !asic
". Testers #$% t$ &se
'. T$$ls na(es and #$% t$ &se
). Basic *aterials na(es and &ses
+. Basic Sy(!$ls and ,lan-.eading
/. Basic Acti$n S0licing: t%ist %ires t$get#er and 0&t $n %iren&t
1. Basic Acti$n 2iring reg&lar s%itc# "-%ay rece0tacles 3d&0le4 and AC5
6. Basic Acti$n 7$% t$ %$rk %it# B8 c&tting installing and sec&ring
19. Basic Acti$n Bend t&!ing
11. Basic Acti$n ,&lling %ire
12. Basic Acti$n .ead a Bl&e0rint
1". Basic Acti$n B$nding t$ gr$&nd t#ings c$rrectly
1'. Basic Calc&lati$ns
1). T#e :$! inter;ie%
1+. <etting started $n t#e :$!
1/. T#e Career Track
11. Near!y S&00ly 7$&ses
16. Ad;anced *aterials na(es and &ses
=NFO.*AT=ON:
1. Understanding electricity
Electricity is t#e fl$% $f electr$ns t#r$&g# a c$nd&ct$r. 2ires (ade $f #ig#ly c$nd&cti;e
c$00er %ra00ed in ins&lati$n f$r safety are t#e c$nd&ct$rs t#at carry electricity.
Electricity al%ays fl$%s in a l$$0 kn$%n as a circ&it. 2#en a circ&it is interr&0ted at any
0$int electricity ceases t$ fl$%. As s$$n as t#e circ&it is rec$nnected again t#e fl$%
!egins again. T#ink $f t#e fl$% $f %ater. Electricity $0erates in (&c# t#e sa(e %ay.
T#e electric c$(0any distri!&tes electricity generated at 0$%er 0lants. T#e &tility
c$(0any sends #ig#-;$ltage electricity al$ng 0$%er lines t$ !&ildings. B&t !y t#e ti(e
t#e electricity reac#es an indi;id&al $&tlet it #as &s&ally !een red&ced t$ 129 ;$lts.
T#e electricity 0asses fr$( t#e 0$%er 0lant t#r$&g# a 0$%er line t$ t#e !&ilding %#ere it
0asses t#r$&g# an electric (eter %#ic# (eas&res #$% (&c# 0$%er is c$ns&(ed int$ a
ser;ice 0anel 3als$ called t#e !reaker !$4 $r f&se !$45 %#ic# distri!&tes electricity
t#r$&g#$&t t#e !&ilding>fl$$r>a0art(ent al$ng indi;id&al circ&its. Eac# circ&it fl$%s $&t
$f t#e ser;ice 0anel t#r$&g# a n&(!er $f fi4t&res and rece0tacles and !ack t$ t#e ser;ice
0anel.
=n a circ&it electricity fl$%s $&t $f t#e ser;ice 0anel $n #$t c$nd&ct$rs 3t#at &s&ally #a;e
!lack $r red ins&lati$n5 and ret&rns t$ t#e ser;ice 0anel $n ne&tral c$nd&ct$rs 3%#ite
ins&lati$n5. T#e ser;ice 0anel c$ntains circ&it !reakers $r f&ses. T#ese safety de;ices
s#&t $ff t#e 0$%er in case $f a s#$rt circ&it $r 0$%er $;erl$ad.
?&st as a circ&it !reaker t&rns $n and $ff t#e fl$% $f electricity t$ a circ&it a lig#t s%itc#
t&rns $n and $ff electricity t$ a fi4t&re 3!y c$(0leting $r interr&0ting t#e 0at# $f t#e
electricity5.
E;ery electrical syste( s#$&ld !e gr$&nded f$r safety. T#is is &s&ally d$ne !y
c$nnecting a %ire fr$( t#e ser;ice 0anel t$ a c$ld-%ater 0i0e and a gr$&nding r$d s&nk 1
feet int$ t#e eart#. <r$&nding di;erts c&rrent #ar(lessly int$ t#e eart# in t#e case $f a
circ&it fa&lt 3as %ell as ca&se t#e circ&it !reaker t$ tri0 !eca&se t#ere %ill !e an act&al
fl$% $f electricity5.
<r$&nding gi;es e;eryt#ing a reference 0$int. =f a ne&tral %ire $r 0i0e is gr$&nded it
(eans t#at if energy c$(es fr$( a #$t %ire t$ a ne&tral $r 0i0e it %ill fl$% int$ t#e
gr$&nd. A !reaker %ill n$tice t#is fl$% and c&t $ff t#e fl$%. =f t#ere is n$ gr$&nding
t#e fl$% %ill sit da((ed at t#e !r$ken ne&tral %ire $r &ngr$&nded 0i0e t#ere %ill !e n$
fl$% s$ t#e !reaker %ill n$t t&rn $ff and t#e !r$ken ne&tral %ire $r &ngr$&nded 0i0e %ill
!e f&ll $f energy. As s$$n as s$(e$ne t$&c#es t#at %ire>0i0e and an$t#er gr$&nded
fi4t&re 3radiat$r %ater fa&cet5 t#e energy %ill t#en fl$% t#r$&g# t#e 0ers$n t$ t#e
gr$&nded ite( and int$ t#e gr$&nd. T#is fl$% %ill electr$c&te t#e 0ers$n %#$ is n$%
acting as a %ire.
2. Safety talk, basic
T$ !e safe (ake s&re t#at y$& ne;er !ec$(e a c$nd&ct$r t#at c$(0letes an electrical
circ&it. =f y$& d$ electricity %ill r&n t#r$&g# y$&. @$& %ill feel 119 ;$lts 229 %ill #&rt
and ''9 %ill in:&re y$&.
T$ (ake s&re y$& d$nt !ec$(e a c$nd&ct$r:
- T&rn $ff 0$%er
- Stay ins&lated
- A$nt c$(0lete a circ&it
- 2ear safety glasses.
A$nt tr&st any$ne $r anyt#ing. Test e;eryt#ing %it# a ;$ltage tester.
*etal and %ater c$nd&ct electricity. *ake s&re t#at y$& d$nt create a c$nnecti$n t$
electricity t#r$&g# eit#er $ne $f t#ese (aterials. A$ n$t stand $n %et s&rfaces $r
(etal ladders. 2ear r&!!er-s$led !$$ts. Stand $n a dry 0iece $f 0ly%$$d if %$rking in a
%et area.
=f y$& t$&c# !$t# a #$t c$nd&ct$r and a ne&tral>gr$&nd %ire at t#e sa(e ti(e y$& %ill
c$(0lete a circ&it. A;$id d$ing t#is !y n$t t$&c#ing !are %ires and &sing r&!!er $r
0lastic-ins&lated gri00ed t$$ls and #$lding t#e( $nly !y t#e #andle.
Safety glasses 0re;ent %ire-ends $r s#ards $f dry%all c$nd&it etc fr$( flying int$ y$&r
eye and ca&sing 0er(anent da(age.
Black red %#ite and !l&e are n$r(al 119 ;$ltage %ires. =f y$& see t#e BO@ 3!r$%n
$range yell$%5 c$l$rs t#at is a ''9 ;$ltage ser;ice. =t #&rtsB =f y$& see it stay a%ay
fr$( it. Find an e40erienced (an t$ %$rk %it# it.
2#ite 3ne&tral5 %ire is first $n last $ff. T#is is !eca&se y$& %ill get t#e f&ll a(0erage $f
%#ate;er is $n t#e circ&it trying t$ g$ t#r$&g# y$&r !$dy t$ gr$&nd if y$& !ec$(e t#e
c$nd&ct$r !et%een a !r$ken ne&tral $r t%$ &ns0liced ne&trals. E8,LA=N T7=S
BETTE..
EC&i0(ent
B$$ts
Use %#ene;er $n t#e :$! site. Need a t#ick s$le. <$$d e4a(0les at Aa;es $n
1/
t#
near /
t#
and 1
t#
.
7ard 7at
Use acc$rding t$ %#at t#e :$!site reC&ires. Used t$ 0r$tect fr$( falling de!ris.
Safety <lasses><$$gles
T#is is t#e key t$ safety. Use %#ene;er anyti(e y$& are c&tting (etal $r
s#eetr$ck &sing a 0$%er t$$l r&nning %ire 3t#e ends can fli0 int$ y$&r eye5 and
%#ene;er y$& $r any$ne ar$&nd y$& is d$ing anyt#ing t#at (ig#t kee0 &0 any d&st
0articles $r (aterials $f any kind. @$&r eyes are e4tre(ely sensiti;e and irre0lacea!le.
B8 <l$;es
Use %#ene;er y$& are c&tting B8 ca!le.
Ear ,l&gs
Use %#ene;er y$& $r any$ne ar$&nd is &sing a 0$%er t$$l $r (aking a l$&d n$ise.
2$rk ,ants 3Car#art D"95
T#ick snag-free 0ants t#at %$nt ri0 $n t#e :$!.
3. Testers, how to use
4. Tools, names and how to use
7andt$$ls
Elein sidec&tter line(ans 0liers
B8 c&tter r$t$c&tter
Scre%dri;ers s#anks dri;ers
,#illi0s Flat $t#er s#a0es 3ta(0er-free5
Aykes sidec&tter
Needle-n$se 0liers
Testers: 0en tester 0l&g tester
7a((er
.aF$r!lade knife
Tin Sni0s
Le;el
Fis# Ta0e Snake
S#eetr$ck C&tter
2ire Stri00er
Ta0e *eas&re
?$! T$$ls
7a((er Arill
C&tter><rinder
,i0e!ender G-inc# ">'-inc# etc.
C$rdless Arill
,&ll 2ire String 3acts like fis# ta0e and 0&lls %ire t#r$&g# 0i0ing5. Often &sed %it#
l&!ricant t$ #el0 0&ll t#e %ire t#r$&g#.
Fire E4ting&is#er
5. asic !aterials, names and uses
*aterials
7$t 3!lack $r red5 ne&tral 3%#ite5 and gr$&nd 3green5 %ires.
2ire
B8
12>2. 30r$n$&nced Ht%el;e t%$I5
12>"
T77N 3stranded and s$lid %ires5. N$ need f$r B8 !eca&se it is r&n t#r$&g#
c$nd&it>0i0ing. All ga&ges $f %ire are (ade in T77N.
Electrical ta0e !lack f$r #$t and %#ite f$r ne&tral
*etallic !$4es 3&se Fi0-it >self-ta00ing scre%s t#at are 1>'-inc#5
1699 !$4 3'-inc#5
.$&nd !$4
Bar !$4
?-!$4
C&t-in !$4
*etallic ,late C$;ers *&d .ings 3called (&d rings !eca&se t#ey are )>1
t#
inc# dee0 t#e
e4act sa(e de0t# as a ty0ical layer $f s#eetr$ck s$ t#e fr$nt $f t#e !$4 %ill lay fl&s# %it#
t#e finis#ed %all5
Single <ang
A$&!le <ang
2ire n&ts 30lastic5 rated !y siFe identified !y c$l$r
$range is s(allest t#en yell$% t#en red 3&sed f$r 12>2 and is t#e ($st c$(($nly
&sed5 gray is largest
C$nnect$rs
A&0le4: siFes f$r eac# ty0e $f %ire
Single: siFes f$r eac# ty0e $f %ire
69 degree d&0le4 and singles
G inc# is ($st c$(($n c$nnect$r &sed f$r 12>2 and 12>" 3and 1'>2 n$t &sed in
Ne% @$rk5
<reenfield
3fle4i!le5 l$$ks like B8 !&t larger 3ranges in siFe fr$( ">'-inc# t$ "-inc#5. Used
t$ 0r$tect l$%-;$ltage %ire %#ene;er its 0lastered.
C$nd&it (etal 0i0ing &sed t$ 0r$tect
". asic Symbols and #lan$%eading
.ece0tacle
S%itc#
O;er#ead
L$%-J$ltage
Scale
&. asic 'ction, S(licing) twist wires together and (ut on wirenut
,lace 0r$tecti;e 0lastic !&s#ing 3Hred#eadI5 at t#e end $f B8 s#eat#ing. ,lace ta! at t#e
c&t line $f t#e ar($r 3%#ic# is t#e ($st likely 0$int t$ c&t t#e %ire5. 2ra0 al&(in&(
%ire !ack $;er red-#ead. 2ra0 al$ng ar($r gr$$;es )-+ ti(es. Sni0 and ta0 d$%n flat.
Unt%ist t#e %ires. Tear 0a0er c$;erings and slide $f t#e %ires. Use stri00er t$ re($;e
KI $f ins&lati$n. Use $t#er #and t$ 0&ll %ire !ack fr$( stri00er %#ile &sing t#&(! t$
0&s# stri00er a%ay. ,lace !are %ires side-!y-side e;en $&t ends !y ta00ing %it# t#e
Eleins>Line(ans ,liers gra! ends %it# Eleins and t%ist. =ts OE if ins&lated 0$rti$n
t%ists als$. Sni0 ends $f t#e t%ist t$ e;en $&t t#e end. ,lace %iren&t $;er t#e t%isted
!are end. N$ e40$sed c$00er s#$&ld s#$% !ey$nd t#e %iren&t.
*. asic 'ction, +iring, regular switch, 3$way, rece(tacles ,du(le- and './
Ter(inate $r c&t-in
.ece0tacle
Single ,$le S%itc#
O;er#ead
"-%ay
S($ke Aetect$r
L$%-J$ltage
*$&nt !$4es:
S%itc#
.ece0tacle
O;er#ead
0. asic 'ction, 1ow to work with 2, cutting, installing and securing
Skinning B8
Cleaner: Use r$t$stri0. ,&t it $n %ire sC&eeFe tig#tly t&rn #andle &ntil it
t&rns freely
Old Style: 2it# t#e tin-sni0s !end t#e ar($r #ard &ntil it $0ens s$ t#at y$&
can see t#e %ires inside. <i;e it G t&rn $00$site $f t#e %ay t#e ar($r is %ra00ed. T#en
0&t y$&r sni0s in and c&t. *ake s&re t#ere are n$ !&rrs.
After c&tting B8 0lace a Hred#eadI 30lastic anti-s#$rt ins&lating !&s#ing5 %#ic#
slides
.&n B8
2#en drilling #$les f$r B8 drill in t#e center $f t#e st&d !eca&se a nail>scre%
fr$( s#eetr$ck 3%#ic# %ill !e $n t#e sides5 can 0enetrate B8 %#ic# %ill s#$rt t#e
syste( %#ic# (eans t#at y$& #a;e t$ c&t $0en t#e %alls t$ re0lace it.
2#en y$& 0&ll B8 fr$( a c$rd al%ays 0&ll fr$( t#e center $f t#e c$il and 0&ll
c$&ntercl$ck%ise. =f y$& 0&ll cl$ck%ise t#e ar($ tig#ten as y$& 0&ll and after a!$&t "9
feet t#e B8 %ill !e in a !ig c$iled kn$t. =f y$& 0&ll c$&ntercl$ck%ise t#e ar($r l$$sens
as y$& 0&ll.
A r$&g#-in !$4 #as a cli0 t$ attac# B8 !&t it c$&nts as a %ire in y$&r calc&lati$n
$f #$% (&c# fill y$& can 0&t in t#e !$4. A 1699 !$4 can #$ld 6 c$nd&ct$rs. T#e B8
cli0 c$&nts as $ne t#e de;ice c$&nts as $ne and eac# $f t#e t%$ s0lices c$&nts as $ne.
S$ y$& can really $nly 0&t in ) $t#er %ires. =f y$& &se a B8 c$nnect$r 3%#ic# d$esnt
c$&nt as a c$nd&ct$r5 y$& can 0&t in + %ires.
13. asic 'ction, end tubing
Bend 0i0e>t&!ing
Use a t&!ing !ender t$ (atc# t#e siFe $f t&!ing !eing &sed. Eac# !ender #as a
ded&cti$n f$r eac# radi&s !eing !ent. T#e c#art is $n t#e !ender itself. 7ere are t#e
!asics:
G inc# E*T 3t&!ing5 is a )I ded&cti$n f$r a 69 degree !end.
K inc# E*T is a +I ded&cti$n
1I E*T is 1I ded&cti$n
1-1>' E*T is a 12I ded&cti$n
Anyt#ing !igger t#an t#at reC&ires a #ydra&lic (ac#ine $r y$& !&y 0re-!ent t&!ing>0i0e.
F$r rigid 0i0e &se a !ender t#at is $ne siFe !igger t#an t#e 0i0e. T$ !end G inc# rigid
0i0e 3<.C gal;aniFed rigid c$nd&it5 &se a K inc# !ender. Use a ded&cti$n t#at (atc#es
t#e !ender n$t t#e 0i0e.
@$& are $nly all$%ed ")6 degrees $f !end in any 0i0e r&n %it#$&t a 0&ll !$4. T#is is
!eca&se as s$$n as y$& create a f&ll circle 3"+9 degrees5 y$& cann$t 0#ysically 0&ll t#e
%ire t#r$&g#. T#ink $f %ra00ing a string ar$&nd y$&r finger. =f y$& %ra0 it all t#e %ay
ar$&nd %#en y$& 0&ll it it :&st tig#tens in 0lace.
T#e c$de reC&ires t#at e;ery + feet y$& (&st install a stra0. =f y$& 0&t in 2 stra0s 0er
lengt# 319 feet5 t#en y$& ne;er #a;e a 0r$!le(. Any ti(e y$& 0enetrate a fl$$r $r a %all
(ade $f c$ncrete y$& (&st slee;e t#e 0i0e. F$r a " inc# 0i0e y$& drill a #$le f$r '-inc#
0i0e 0&t in a 0iece $f '-inc# 0i0e 3t#e slee;e5 and 0&t t#e "-inc# 0i0e t#r$&g# it. T#is
%ay y$&r 0i0e d$es n$t t$&c# t#e c$ncrete. T#e li(e and c#e(icals in t#e c$ncrete eat &0
t#e 0i0e. =f t#ey d$ y$&ll l$se t#e gr$&nd (eaning t#at t#ere is n$ safety in t#e syste(
a!$;e t#at 0$int. E;en if t#e c#e(icals eat t#r$&g# t#e slee;e t#e "-inc# 0i0e %ill !e in
free air n$t t$&c#ing t#e c$ncrete and t#eref$re %ill !e safe.
=n general y$& 0&t in a 0&ll !$4 e;ery )9 feet %#en r&nning 0i0e. T#is (akes life easier
f$r installing %ire.
G and K inc# 0i0e>t&!ing &ses 0lastic anc#$rs. A!$;e t#at &se d$&!le e40ansi$n $r lead
s#ields !eca&se t#ey #$ld ($re %eig#t and last l$nger.
11. asic 'ction, #ulling wire
T#e reas$n y$& are $nly all$%ed s$ (any %ires in 0i0e fill is f$r #eat dissi0ati$n. Once
y$& get a!$;e " c$nd&ct$rs in a 0i0e y$&re s&00$sed t$ derate t#e %ires. T#is (eans
t#at y$& can $nly &se a l$%er 0ercentage $f t#eir ca0acity !eca&se $f t#e #eat !eing
generated !y all t#e %ires t$get#er. T#ink $f a l$g fire. T#e t%$ !iggest t#ings in
electrical safety are gr$&nding and #eat dissi0ati$n. T#ese are t#e t%$ t#ings t#at %ill kill
y$&.
12. asic 'ction, %ead a lue(rint
13. asic 'ction, onding to ground things correctly
14. asic .alculations
Basic electrical calc&lati$ns:
Aeter(ine %attage a(0erage ;$ltage dr$0 3f$r e;ery 199 feet increase t#e %ire $ne
siFe5
O#(s la% is %attage 3,5La(0erage 3=5 4 ;$ltage 3E5 ,L=4E 3,=E5. 2299 %atts $n a 119
;$lt syste( %ill 0&ll 29 a(0s. B&t y$& can $nly &se 19M $f a circ&it rating s$ y$&d
#a;e t$ install a "9 a(0 circ&it. =n Ne% @$rk t#e %ire &sed is T77N 369M5 and T72N
319M5 s$ &se t#ese c$l&(ns t$ calc&late. 2#en in t#e s(aller ranges !el$% +9 a(0s
&se t#e T72N c$l&(n !eca&se t#e a(0erages are ($re c$(($n a($&nts 3and t#eref$re
d$nt reC&ire s0ecial $rdering5.
2#at is c$(($n siFe %iring in N@CN 69M is O12 312 ga&ge5 %ire.
2#at d$ y$& need f$r a '99 a(0 ser;ice %iring and race%ayN Find a(0erage in t#e
T77N c$l&(n find n&(!er greater t#an '99 t#en ($;e laterally t$ t#e left and see
n&(!er &nder t#e 2ire <a&ge SiFe c$l&(n %#ic# in t#is case is )99. T#is (eans H)99
*C*I 3)99999 ga&ge5 %ire. Anyt#ing a!$;e 299 a(0s is generally t#ree 0#ase ser;ice
%#ic# (eans #$% (any #$t legs y$& #a;e c$(ing int$ t#e !&ilding. T#ree 0#ase is t#ree
#$ts 3red !lack !l&e5 and $ne ne&tral 3%#ite5 $r f$&r %ires t$tal. 69M $f c$((ercial is
t#ree 0#ase. T#ere is n$ s&c# t#ing as t%$ 0#ase. T#e ne4t d$%n is single 0#ase %#ic# is
t%$ #$ts 3!lack and red5 and $ne ne&tral 3%#ite5. Single 0#ase is &sed $n residential and
;ery s(all retail.
=f y$& are r&nning t#ree 0#ase and r&nning a '99 a(0 t#ree-0#ase ser;ice t#en y$& (&st
r&n f$&r )99 *C*s 3deter(ined fr$( t#e A(0acity C#art5. T#en &se C$nd&it Fill
C#art t$ find t#e siFe 0i0e y$& need t$ &se. =n t#is case if y$& g$ d$%n t#e )99 *C*
c$l&(n t$ H'I it calls f$r " inc# 0i0e. B&t its !est t$ &0siFe $ne 0i0e siFe and g$ t$
s$(et#ing t#at is c$(($nly &sed. =n t#is case "I is #ardly e;er &sed 3and t#eref$re less
a;aila!le5 s$ %e g$ t$ "-1>2I. T#e c$(($n siFes $f 0i0es are G K 1 1-1>' 2 "-1>2
and '.
Once y$& g$ a!$;e 2999 %atts ($st circ&its are 229 ;$lt f$r #eaters and ($t$rs. @$&
can al%ays tell %#at ;$ltage s$(et#ing is !y t#e rating 0late %#ic# als$ tells y$& t#e
a(0erage needed.
2#at is needed t$ r&n a "999 %att electrical #eater $n a 229 circ&itN First = need t$
fig&re $&t a(0erage %#ic# = d$ !y &sing t#e ,=E c#art. "999 di;ided !y 229 eC&als 1'
3r$&nded &05. 2e can $nly &se 19M $f a circ&its rating. T$ calc&late %e (&lti0ly 1'
!y 12)M and get 11 3r$&nded &05. On t#e A(0erage C#art %e l$$k &nder T72N find
t#e ne4t largest siFe %#ic# is 29 and ($;e t$ t#e left t$ see t#at a 12 ga&ge %ire is
needed. O12 %ire is &sed in 69M $f sit&ati$ns.
N$% g$ t$ C$nd&it Fill C#art and find t#at a G inc# 0i0e can fit 6 O12 %ires %#ic# is
%ay ($re t#an t#e 2 $r " t#at =ll #a;e t$ 0&ll. S$ = &se a G inc# 0i0e.
E;en t#$&g# y$& can 0&ll 6 O12s t#r$&g# a G inc# y$& (&st #a;e !$4es t#at (atc# t#e
n&(!er $f c$nd&ct$rs. T$ deter(ine t#is &se t#e !$4 calc&lati$nN
) %ires in a ge( 3#andy5 !$4. 6 c$nd&ct$rs in a 1699 3'I5 !$4. 1" $r 1)N in a )I !$4.
E;ery %ire s0lice and de;ice c$&nts as a c$nd&ct$r. =f y$& #a;e ' %ires g$ing t#r$&g#
a !$4 and y$& are s0licing in t%$ c$nd&ct$rs f$r a de;ice t#en y$& #a;e ' %ires 2
s0lices and $ne de;ice %#ic# (akes / c$nd&ct$rs %#ic# %ill fit in a 1699 !$4.
119 #as $ne #$t and a ne&tral. 229 #as eit#er t%$ #$ts $r t%$ #$ts and $ne ne&tral. @$&
%ill kn$% %#ic# !eca&se y$& %ill see t#e %iring $n t#e a00liance. <enerally ($t$rs and
#eaters &s&ally d$ n$t reC&ire a ne&tral. *$st e;eryt#ing else d$es. T#e ne&tral is &sed a
0art $f a c$ntr$l circ&it.
F$r e4a(0le an electric st$;e is 229 ;$lts +9 a(0s. T#e lig#t!&l! cl$ck and ti(ers are
119 ;$lts. T#eref$re y$& need a ne&tral t$ &se in c$n:&ncti$n %it# $nly $ne $f t#e #$ts t$
get a 119 ;$lt circ&it. =f y$& &se t%$ #$ts y$& get a 229 ;$lt circ&it.
T#ink $f t#e ne&tral as a drain0i0e. Any &n&sed energy ret&rns al$ng t#e ne&tral t$
gr$&nd. T#e #$ts are like fa&cet 0i0es %#ere t#e %ater c$(es $&t. T#e s%itc# is like t#e
fa&cet $n>$ff.
A lig#ting circ&it is &s&ally 1) a(0s and a00liance and c$n;enience circ&its are 29
a(0s. A00liance is a dedicated circ&it f$r a00liances. C$n;enience circ&its are t#$se
%#ic# g$ ar$&nd t#e r$$( and #a;e $&tlets f$r e;eryday &se. ?&st n$% it is all$%ed 3!&t
n$t reC&ired5 t$ &se 29 a(0 circ&its f$r lig#ting. On a 1) a(0 circ&it y$& %ere $nly
all$%ed t$ 0&t 19 fi4t&res. N$% y$& fig&re t#e a(0erage $f t#e fi4t&res add t#e(
t$get#er. F$r e4a(0le a +9 %att !&l! $n a 119 ;$lt circ&it &ses a!$&t G a(0. @$& can
n$% 0&t 2' !&l!s $n a 1) a(0 circ&it 3$r "2 !&l!s $n a 29 a(05 !eca&se y$& can $nly &se
19M $f t#e circ&its 0$%er. =n t#e $ld days y$& c$&ld $nly 0&t 19 fi4t&res $n any
lig#ting circ&it n$ (atter #$% !ig t#e circ&it.
15. The 4ob inter5iew
2#en y$& g$ in an inter;ie% f$r an electric c$(0any %ear :eans and a 0$l$ s#irt. =f y$&
g$ in dressed t$$ fancy t#ey %ill t#ink y$&re n$t ready t$ %$rk.
A$nt e;er clai( t$ kn$% anyt#ing. Be #&(!le. Say t#at y$& are still learning and
y$&re n$t afraid t$ call and ask C&esti$ns %#en y$& d$nt kn$%. T#is (akes a !$ss feel
c$(f$rta!le t#at y$& %$nt d$ s$(et#ing %r$ng t#at %ill c$st #i( a l$t t$ &nd$. =f y$&
d$ s$(et#ing t#at y$& d$nt &nderstand and d$ it %r$ng it c$sts tri0le t$ re0air. T#e
ti(e>(aterial t$ d$ it in t#e first 0lace. T#e ti(e t$ ri0 it $&t. And t#e ti(e>(aterial t$
red$ it c$rrectly. A !$ss %$&ld (&c# rat#er #ear H=( n$t s&re can y$& 0lease tell (e
%#at t$ d$I t#an 0ay " ti(es. Asking C&esti$ns d$esnt (ake y$& l$$k st&0id. =t (akes
y$& l$$k 0r&dent. B$sses like itB
1". 6etting started on the 4ob
T$$ls needed t$ get started:
Ta0e (eas&re 3195 #a((er 1+$F 3195 6-inc# line(ans 0liers 3")5 scre%dri;ers 31 !ig
flat 1 s(all flat 1 0#illi0s5 31>0er 2' f$r t#ree5 tin sni0s 31)5 s$(e :$!s reC&ire a
r$t$stri0 $r B8 skinner 3")5 3!&t its sl$% a #acksa% $r tinsni0s are faster5 #acksa% 3295
tester 3+-+99 ") is g$$d general5 #ard #at 31)5 and !$$ts 3)95 if $n an OS7A site
3anyt#ing $;er + st$ries5. ?eans are OE. D1)9 %it#$&t t#e #ard #at !$$ts and
r$t$stri0>B8 skinner.
1&. The .areer Track
T#e first :$! in t#e electrical trade is a <reen 7el0er %#ic# starts at D19-12>#r. T#ere is
n$ set ti(eta!le f$r 0ay raises !&t if a 0ers$n is de0enda!le and 0r$d&cti;e t#en #e can
e40ect t#at eac# + ($nt#s $n a;erage #e %ill get D1>#r raise. S$ !y ' years in y$&
s#$&ld !e (aking a!$&t D11-29>#r. At t#at 0$int y$& are t$00ed $&t as a 7el0er. After
t#at t#e ($re res0$nsi!ility y$& take $n 3ie- t#e ($re c$(0licated :$!s y$& are
%illing>a!le t$ d$ %it#$&t s&0er;isi$n5 t#e ($re y$& can (ake.
T#$se le;els and titles f$r electrician are:
7el0er *ec#anic ?$&rney(an *aster. T#ere is a licensing !$ard in t#e c$&nty>city
and after y$& #a;e a certain a($&nt $f ti(e in t#e trade y$& take t#e tests t$ get t$ t#e
ne4t le;el.
T$ get y$&r electrical license y$& (&st 0&t in at least ' years as a 7el0er and / years as a
*ec#anic. T#en take a ;ery #ard test 3reC&ires a c$llege c$&rse f$r 1 year t$ 0re0 f$r t#e
test t#en $nly a!$&t +9M 0ass5. @$& (&st #a;e y$&r !&siness ins&rance !ef$re y$& take
t#e test 3a!$&t D29999 in ad(inistrati;e c$sts f$r t#e class ins&rance test fee5. =f y$&
0ass y$& #a;e y$&r Electricians License. And n$% y$& #a;e an Electrical C$(0any in
Ne% @$rk City. =n N@C t#ere is $nly $ne license-#$lder 0er c$(0any. O&tside $f t#e
city eac# %$rker is licensed at different le;els.
T$ get t#e license y$& (&st !e in g$$d ($ral standing. *isde(ean$rs are OE !&t
fel$ny c$n;icti$ns and ;i$lence are fr$%ned. =f y$& #a;e t#ese y$& %ill #a;e t$ get a
Certificate $f .elief $f Aisa!ilities %#ic# &s&ally c$(es fr$( t#e c$&rt y$& %ere
sentenced in and y$& are eligi!le f$r it after y$& #a;e n$ seri$&s c$n;icti$ns f$r 19
years.
1*. 7earby Su((ly 1ouses
7$(e Ae0$t $n 2"
rd
!et%een )
t#
and +t#
*idt$%n L&(!er $n 2)
t#
!et%een /
t#
and 1t#
<P< Electric S&00ly 1"/ 2 2't# St
Aa;es 11
t#
St
10. 'd5anced !aterials, names and uses
,lastic:
- ,lastic (aterials n$t all$%ed in Ne% @$rk City. Only a00r$;ed in single
residences detac#ed less t#an 2 st$ries.
2ire>Ca!le:
- .$(e4 $nly &sed f$r te(0$rary feeds and lig#ting.
- Al&(in&( %ire n$t all$%ed in N@C. Only C$nEd can &se it. All $t#ers (&st &se
c$00er.
- Ca!le kn$%n as B8
- Ar($red Ca!le>B8 &sed f$r residential and #as &ndersiFed gr$&nd %ire
- *C 3*etal Clad5 is &sed f$r c$((ercial and #as f&ll-siFed gr$&nd %ire. 3T#is is
als$ called B8. N$ c$nf&si$n !eca&se it %ill !e t#e $nly ca!le $n t#e c$((ercial site.5
- SEC 3Ser;ice Entrance Ca!le5 n$t &sed in N@C. Used in 2estc#ester etc. Like
.$(e4 y$& :&st sta0le it t$ t#e %all !&t its !ig.
- SO $r S? c$rds. Used t$ #$$k &0 a (ac#ine t#at ($;es s$ t#e %ire needs t$ !e
fle4i!le.
- C$((&nicati$ns 3L$% J$ltage5 Ca!le
Cat ) c$(0&ter and 0#$ne data lines 30#$ne Et#ernet etc5
C$a4 &sed f$r ca!le tele;isi$n and sec&rity ca(eras. =f y$& r&n c$a4 in
*an#attan y$& (&st get it fr$( Ti(e 2arner. T#ey %ill s&00ly it t$ y$& f$r free.
Bell 2ire 11>' 3first n&(!er is t#e ga&ge $f t#e %ire t#e sec$nd n&(!er is #$%
(any %ires are in t#e ca!le5
*etallic B$4es:
- .$&g#-in B$4 #as !rackets s$ t#at y$& can ($&nt it t$ a st&d.
- 1699 !$4
- 1699 e4tensi$n c$llar &sed t$ increase t#e de0t# $f t#e 1699 !$4 s$ t#at y$& can
0&t ($re %ires in it. A reg&lar 1699 !$4 can #$ld 6 O12 %ires. 2it# an e4tensi$n c$llar
y$& can 0&t in 11.
- .$&g#-in $r (&d rings. ,&t $n t#e !$4 after t#e %ire is in and s0liced !&t !ef$re
t#e s#eetr$ck $r finis# g$es $n.
- )-inc# !$4 3really '-11>1+
t#
!&t n$$ne calls it t#at5 %it# (&d ring and
- Single gang is a rectang&lar #$le t#at #$lds $ne de;ice.
- T%$ gang is sC&are #$le 32 rectangles side !y side5 t#at #$lds t%$ de;ices
Ae;ice is a s%itc# a 0l&g ($ti$n detect$r ca(era #eat sens$r etc. ,ri(arily a de;ice
is a s%itc# $r a 0l&g.
- Blank ,lates are &sed t$ cl$se !$4es %#en t#ere is n$ de;ice.
- A kn$ck$&t is a #$le in a !$4 t#at can !e ta00ed $&t %it# a 0air $f
0liers>scre%dri;er.
- .$&nd 3$ctag$n s#a0e5 !$4es &sed f$r lig#ting fi4t&res $r s($ke detect$rs in
ceiling and %all.
- S&rface ($&nt 3' inc#5 is &sed %#enN.
- " inc# is n$t &sed.
- ,ancake !$4 is &sed %#en recessing int$ a c$ncrete ceiling. Only all$%ed 2 O12s
in it.
- Bar B$4 is a r$&nd !$4 %it# telesc$0ing ($&nting !racket kn$%n as !ar#angers.
- 7andy B$4 is &sed f$r s&rface ($&nting s%itc#es and 0l&gs %#en r&nning
e40$sed %iring>0i0ing.
- 2eat#er0r$$f B$4es are &sed $&td$$rs $r %#en t#ere is a l$t $f %ater near!y.
Ne% c$de reC&ires =n-Use C$;er f$r <F=s installed $&td$$rs.
- C&t-in B$4es $r <e( B$4 can !e attac#ed t$get#er 3ganged5.
- 2ire($ld B$4es &sed f$r %ire($ld t#at is r&n $n t#e s&rface $f %alls.
- *&l!erry c$;ers &sed f$r 1699 !$4es %#en s&rface ($&nted 3&s&ally %#en
r&nning 0i0e5.
- 2 gang s%itc# single gang d&0le4 <F= dryer 0late
T&!ing>,i0ing:
- E*T 3t#in%all5 &sed %#ere t#ere is n$ %ater.
- .igid &sed %#en g$ing &ndergr$&nd $r in c$rr$si;e en;ir$n(ent
- Al&(in&( &sed $&td$$rs a!$;egr$&nd and %ater en;ir$n(ents ind$$rs
Ot#er
Basic ser;ice eC&i0(ent
2-inc# E*T c$nnect$r
*atts Ne4t Acti$ns:
1. Learn !asic acti$ns
2. B&ild a t$tal $f ) %$rk!$ards and 0&t t#e( &0 $n t#e %all.
". .e;ie% t#e rest $f t#e *aterials !$$k.
'. .e;ie% any $t#er c#arts>calc&lati$ns needed
). .e;ie% a 0lan.