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It
is very important to talk to your electrician about your
family's electrical wiring needs before he bids the job.
It
is "WISE" to know how your home will be wired,
HOW AND WHERE your breaker box will be set up, and THE
TYPE AND PLACEMENT of switches and outlets USED IN YOUR
HOME.
Here
are a few issues to CONSIDER, some of which, may already
required by code:
The
placement of the breaker box. It should be placed in a
convenient area that can be found easily in the dark. Usually
the laundry, or utility areas of the home.
There
should be a main shut-off switch at the breaker box.
Major
Appliances should have their own breakers to prevent overload.
GFCI
(Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) Outlets should be used
anywhere there is a water faucet nearby to prevent a person
from electrical shock.
To
learn more about the proper way to test a GFCI outlet, visit
this site:
http://www.nesf.org/news/test_protect.html
One
of the most important decisions you will make, when it comes to
the wiring department, is to consider the best locations for
the...
...switches
and outlets!!!
It
can be very inconvenient if you don't have a light switch, or
outlet where you really need it. You should go over your house
plans in detail—for both the inside and outside of your
home.
Do
a walk-through of each completed room design that you drew up
with your fingers. Pretend you are walking through the doorway
into a room, place a mark where it would be most convenient to
turn on a light switch.
At
times, more than one light switch may be needed in one spot,
such as in a hallway or entry. For these places, you may want to
consider having switches that will turn on several different
lights in one panel. In addition...
...If
there is more than one door, or doorway, to a room it is "WISE"
to have a light switch for the room positioned at both doorways.
Next,
decide where it would be most convenient to place the outlets.
Make sure you know what will be going in the room—now and
in the future—stereo, lamps, alarm clock, computer,
television, etc...
Perhaps,
you would like to have the option to re-arrange a room from time
to time. Don't be limited...
...where
you can plug stuff in and I'm not just talking electricity.
Now
is also a good time to decide where it is that you want your
telephone lines, stereo speakers, Internet access lines, cable
lines, and even, an alarm system wiring if you there's even a
remote chance you'll have them.
For
large rooms, it may be a good idea to have the cable, computer,
and phone connections at two different areas of the room. This
way, you are not stuck with having to keep the room arranged the
same way forever, and ever, and ever, but before you do that
make sure that the alternative arrangement will work for that
room.
You
certainly don't want to waste money having something installed
if you can't use it.
Don't
just rely on the electrician, cable and phone installers to know
what is best in your home. Take some time to really think about
how you and your family will utilize each room in your home—now
and in the future.
Building
codes require a room to have a minimum amount of outlets—if
you stick within the guidelines, you'll be fine.
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