Regulations by the National Electrical Code (NEC) say that all residential wiring is to be protected. When it comes to residential wiring, there are two main wiring systems that require protection. One is mechanical and the other is electrical. Both carry currents that can overload. Mechanical damages typically occur when the wires or cables are installed near obstructions that can cause damages. Electrical overloads can occur from the wiring of electrical devices. Therefore, all devices will require some form of overload protection and typically in the form of circuit breakers or fuses. Peterkin Electric will help you make more sense about how residential electrical wiring is supposed to be protected.

Residential Electrical Wiring Code

All electrical wiring and cables are supposed to be assembled inside a plastic or metal conduit that has been approved by the NEC. If any wiring was installed that is exposed to the open air, it should have been placed in an approved electric conduit that can sufficiently hold all the wiring. In simpler words, all wiring that may pass through concrete slabs or walls, or wiring that passes through openings, need to be enclosed. If any cable assemblies are installed where they hang freely in the air, they must be at a certain height so a person or vehicle can’t come in contact with the wiring.

Circuit Breaker Ratings

All wiring needs to be installed with the correctly rated breaker or fuse. Depending on the wire size, the circuit breaker protections must be the correct amperes. This might be a little confusing. In other words, a 12-gauge wire carries 20 amperes. Therefore, you can’t put a 12-gauge wire to a 30 ampere circuit breaker or fuse. You will need to know how much ampere each wire gauge uses. A 14-gauge wire will produce 15 amperes while a 10-gauge wire or cable can produce 30-amperes. The number of amperes must meet the rating of the circuit or fuse amperes protection gauges.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

All outdoor wiring, especially those who are in wet environments, require the use of GFCI circuit protection. All outlets that are located outside that are on the outside of homes, outdoor kitchens, bathrooms or etc. must all be protected with a fast acting power cut off device. Both outlets that are outside and even inside garages must also be controlled by GFCI breakers in the event of an emergency.

Home Electrical Inspections

Whether you’re building a new home or you live inside an older home, you will want to have your electrical wiring inspected by a licensed electrician to see if your home wiring protection is installed correctly or that it is currently up to code. Especially in older homes where electrical protection isn’t quite as advanced as modern homes, you may want to make sure your home’s electrical protection is current. Electrical fires and overloads happen every year, so you will want to make sure that your home is as safe as possible.

Electrical Wiring Services in Laguna Woods, Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Irvine, Lake Forest & Orange County, California

If you need your home inspected and brought up to code, contact Peterkin Electric. We can perform inspectiosn as well as install all proper protection and safety features, both inside and outside your home. Contact Peterkin Electric today!