Interesting Facts About Electrical Circuitry & Wiring; Electrical Remodeling Tips in Snellville, GA; Receptacles, Boxes, Ceiling Lights, Subpanels & More

When you decide to remodel electrical work in a previously owned home you will be faced with the work of the previous owner; whether their ‘do it yourself’ attempts or the product of the electrician or handyman they hired to do it for them. This can be a good or bad thing!

Interesting Information to Make Electrical Remodeling Easier

If you are new to DIY electrical, there are some knowledge tid-bits that are worthy of being called tricks, tips and hacks.
1. If you need a receptacle, then look on the other side of the wall. The interior walls in your home are largely illusory things. You will discover this when you start knocking done some walls. When you want to add a receptacle on an interior wall, you will automatically start looking along the wall for other receptacles. Look for receptacles in an adjoining room. You will most likely be able to continue a general receptacle circuit onto another room, on the other side of the wall. All you need to be sure of is that you’re not mixing different types of circuits.
2. Often times there are electrical boxes that have been covered and painted over. They usually have live power in them which is why they’re covered and these can come in handy if you are looking for live wires to add lights or receptacles.
3. With new construction, electrical boxes are nailed onto framing studs. If you are remodeling and have wallboard in the way it becomes difficult because you can’t just climb in there and nail up a box. This is what old work electrical boxes are for and pretty much do the same thing: instead of tacking on the studs, they tack onto the wall covering.
4. If ceiling lights aren’t where you want them, you can move them pretty far without adding more wire or running a new circuit-good to know. There is a good range of motion with the electrical that runs in your attic and there may even be enough wire for you to advance the light too.
5. Some of the remodeling you want to do will be simple and not require a permit, but for major electrical work, like adding a subpanel, you will. Depending on where you live, homeowners can do their own electrical work legally and be fully permitted and approved. There is a homeowner’s electrical exam that can be taken where the homeowner studies for the test and pays a nominal fee before taking the test.

Electrical Audit Checklist

Do an “electrical inventory” and make a list of all the devices you’ll be using in your home and where. You need to make sure that your needs will match your electrical system. Doing this will make it easier to come up with your plan and avoid bumps down the road. Use your list to create a detailed plan of action. Try as much as possible to keep wire runs directly from a circuit breaker to an outlet that don’t have any other devices on that breaker. This will reduce loads on the power system and will keep popped breakers to a minimum. If more than one outlet is involved, keep track of which areas feed which breakers as this will create a “balanced” system.

Electrical Services in Lithonia, Decatur, Stone Mountain, Snellville, Conyers, Covington & Metro Atlanta GA & Surrounding Areas

You can save money and do your wiring remodel yourself, but if your project becomes too complicated or you are nervous or otherwise feel unable to do the electrical wiring, contact the qualified technicians at Sullivan Electrical Services.

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