There are many things to consider in deciding if you need a licensed
electrician.
If you only want to replace a defective receptacle, switch or maybe hang a paddle fan on
an existing box, you probably know if it is within your electrical/mechanical skills.
It may sound simple to hang a new paddle fan but you need to know that it must not be
supported by a regular light fixture box. The screws must be tight and the wobble
if any, is corrected. You would not want the fan to fall and injure someone.
Most important is safe wiring. You do not want an unintentional fire hazard or
safety problem.
The NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE, (NEC) is based on preventing fires and decreasing the
possibility of shock hazard. Following the NEC will give you a SAFE wiring
job.
Certain electrical work requires obtaining an electrical permit. In some areas you
can obtain an owners permit. Some of which require a minimal test to see if you can
really do the work safely.
If in doubt, you probably need a licensed electrician.
If you decide to go ahead and do it, the following should be heeded....
When working on wiring, be sure to turn off electricity.
All electrical connections MUST be tight. (Wirenuts and Terminal Screws)
If adding a receptacle, NEVER use a smaller wire than the wire you are getting the feed
from.
All wiring connections must be in an approved enclosure. If splicing wires, they
must be in a box. Many times I've seen in attics and crawl spaces wires that have
been stripped and wirenuts placed on them and not in a box. This is not only an
electrical code violation but is unsafe and a fire hazard!
Be sure ALL wiring is protected by the proper size breaker or fuse! (See safety with
fuses).
NEVER run zipcord, (Typical lamp cord) to any permanently installed switch, receptacle, light,
fan or anything else. It is designed only for short temporary uses.
When routing wires, be sure they are not subject to injury and are adaquately
supported.
When installing a wire into a box or fixture, be sure to use the proper required
connector to protect the wire from being damaged or pulled out.
Certain items require a dedicated circuit, meaning a separate circuit and wiring directly
from the panel on its own fuse or breaker. The following are some of the items that
require a dedicated circuit............
Range/Oven, Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Dryer, Air Conditioner, Spa, Garage Door Opener,
Icemaker, Hot Tub, Microwave, Disposal, Pump. This is a partial list only!
Do not use a switch box to hang a light or fan on! The switch box only accepts 6/32"
screws. A typical light fixture must be hung using 8/32" screws and a fan must
be installed on an approved fan box or be supported independently of the box.
If installing a light in a closet, be sure the light is not installed in such a place that
boxes stacked on shelves could be near it.
If installing a receptacle in the bathroom, garage, crawl space, outside or over
the kitchen counter, it MUST be a "ground-fault" type receptacle.
The above are but a few suggestions for a safe electrical installation. Caution
should always be observed when working with electricity. Just because it
works, doesn't make it a SAFE installation!
