Proper Wiring Installation is a Must!

Are you thinking of having your home serviced with electrical rewiring? Wires, if not properly installed, is a potentially dangerous thing. Having a licensed electrician to do the work is highly recommended.

Electrical wiring can be easy enough for an average electrician, but there are some common mistakes that happen too often.

Some Common Installation Mistakes

1. No Electrical Box – Leaving Wires Unprotected

Junction boxes protect the connections from accidental damage and contain sparks and heat from loose connection or short circuit. When exposed, wires are prone to damage and make the wires vulnerable, especially when run over or installed under walls and ceiling frames. It is generally required for the wires to be protected from exposure to avoid electrical problems. 

What you can do: Install a 2 x 2 box. Protect exposed wires by nailing or screwing a 1-1/2-inch-thick board alongside the cable. You do not have to staple the wire to the board.

2. Wires are Too Short

Always leave the wires long enough to protrude at least 3 inches from the box.

What you can do: Extend wires - use wire connectors that are easier to install in tight spots to add 6 inches of extensions onto the existing wires.

3. Poor support for outlets and loose outlet

Loose switches or outlets can look bad, but worse, they are dangerous. Loosely connected outlets can move around, causing the wires to loosen from the terminals. Loose wires can arc and overheat, creating a potential fire hazard.

What you can do: Add rigid spacers - fix loose outlets by shimming under the screws to create a tight connection to the box. Other options include small washers or coil of wire wrapped around the screw.

4. Inadequate equipment grounding

Grounding is important as it prevents electric shock hazards. With adequate grounding, a low resistance path to ground that protects against electrical fault is provided.

What you should do: Familiarize yourself on what the maximum grounding resistance should be. Is it 25 OHMS, 5 OHMS, 1 OHM? The lower the value, the safer! This is because ground fault current seeks the path of lower resistance.

Additionally, using substandard wires can cost you more than what you actually think you save. It is recommended to use quality wires and cables. Do not ignore these mistakes as it may result in a fire where lives and properties are at stake. Moreover, it is important that homeowners and electricians are knowledgeable about these matters.

Phelps Dodge Philippines offers free seminars to different electrician groups and hardware store owners/workers around the country to provide tips and instruction on proper wiring installation. This way, more people will benefit in preventing severe electrical injuries and save their businesses from unplanned associated liabilities.

Message us to know more about proper wiring installation: https://www.phelpsdodge.com.ph/contact