Electric help needed

[jeeperbryan]

Anyone on here an experienced electrician? I have a couple of sconces that I want to install but not sure exactly how to wire them. I'm pretty handy around the house and have installed light fixtures, ceiling fans, etc but always to existing wired locations.

Here's my idea, so please tell me if I'm crazy. I have a set of 3 switches already installed in the room. 1 switch controls overhead light, 1 switch controls ceiling fan, and 1 switch controls an outlet (top only). My idea was to use the switch controlled outlet as the power source to the lights. Since the switch is controlling power to the outlet, and I tap into the outlet for power, wouldn't that essentially make the lights controlled by the switch as well?

Any advice or recommendations very welcome.

[seamusTX]

You're on the right track. Be sure to turn off the circuit breaker. This seems too obvious to say, but people forget to do it rather often.

If you go to Home Depot, Lowe's, or a similar store, they sell books with illustrations of how to do wiring.

Black is hot, white is neutral, green is ground. Most electrical fixtures make it pretty clear which screw should go with which wire. Some have black, white, and green leads that you hook up to the wiring.

- Jim

[RPB]

You're on the right track. Be sure to turn off the circuit breaker. This seems too obvious to say, but people forget to do it rather often.

If you go to Home Depot, Lowe's, or a similar store, they sell books with illustrations of how to do wiring.

Black is hot, white is neutral, green is ground. Most electrical fixtures make it pretty clear which screw should go with which wire. Some have black, white, and green leads that you hook up to the wiring.

- Jim

Correct.

But realize that you MUST turn the breaker off... White is "usually" "neutral" but realize that on a light (hooked in series on a black switched circuit, no one takes time to paint the white wire black, since if the switch is on, both the white and black on a light will be hot. ... rather than an outlet hooked up parallel) that when the switch is ON, the white at the fixture will also be "hot" as the electricity exits the fixture, since the switch "breaks" the black wire loop containing the fixture. really, there is no "neutral" on a light fixture if the switch is on, it's black/hot, it is "neutral" only if the switch is off ... but they don't make color-changing plastic coating for wires which sense if the switch is on or off. Ground is also bare copper. White neutral and Bare ground connect to the same "bus" in the breaker box. Turn the breaker off !!! Be careful. I recommend getting those books too and completely studying them prior to doing it yourself. Also, if you are connecting any Aluminum to Copper wires, you'll need special connectors marked "CU-AL" else the standard connectors can oxidize, causing a fire later.

[seamusTX]

I did some electrical work in my late mother-in-law's house, which was probably 80 years old at the time. I pulled the fuse (breakers hadn't been invented yet) that cut power to the light. When I put the screwdriver to the fixture, I got that indescribable sensation of ZAP.

The circuits were cross-wired, so that the neutral was actually hot even when the fuse was pulled.

Electricians wear rubber-soled shoes and touch things with only one hand because of this kind of hazard. The worst thing you can do with electricity is have a circuit across your chest.

- Jim

[dicion]

The worst thing you can do with electricity is have a circuit across your chest.

Agreed, and I've had multiple experiences to back that up

Unfortunately, in my occupation, I frequently have to work on live equipment (I work in one of the few exceptions to OSHA's "Must Always Be Off" world).
Had probably a few dozen zaps in my lifetime, 2 of which were directly across my chest.

After picking myself back up off the ground (both times resulted in my instinctively jumping backwards, and landing on my butt), doing the quick pulse check, and making sure I was alright, I can Highly recommend to everyone that this is NOT something they wish to experience. Both of these times were a result of me making a mistake, so I have only myself to blame.

Wearing rubber soled shoes/boots helps, but not when you're holding a well-grounded frame with your left hand, and accidentally bump live 120VAC with your right!

[seamusTX]

Wearing rubber soled shoes/boots helps, but not when you're holding a well-grounded frame with your left hand, and accidentally bump live 120VAC with your right!

This is the key. When I was learning to deal with deadly voltages, they taught us to keep one hand in a pocket.

You might survive 120 V. With higher voltages, you're either a crispy critter or "the late."

- Jim

[RPB]

Rubber gripped/insulated tools etc too.
rubber shoes, rubber gloves
non-metallic ladder
etc etc

I knew one man electrocuted when his ring made a hole in a glove.
I have a metal watchband that tried to do some arc-welding without my permission.
Things can heat up fast if you aren't careful

Be careful, it's the AMPs that kill.

[seamusTX]

I have to state at this point that I did not set out to give a complete education in the electrical profession, which I would not be qualified to do if I tried.

Rings and other metal jewelry on the hands and arms are dangerous. I used to wear my wedding ring on a chain around my neck when working with electricity. I have never worn any other kind of jewelry, but nowadays it seems the younger guys have rings or body piercings left, right, and center.

- Jim

[chartreuse]

Little tip. If in doubt (you shouldn't be touching it, but if you do anyway) approach the wire with the backs of your fingers. That way, if it is hot, your muscles will contract, curling the fingers in towards the palm and breaking the circuit.

[jester]

Was I the only one who stuck a key in an electrical socket when I was little?

[seamusTX]

No. Also forks and the like.

- Jim

[chartreuse]

And fingers, once, in a disassembled light switch...

[Abraham]

Am I the only one who hires licensed electricians?

Yeah, I know everyone wants to save money, but when it comes to being electrocuted hindsight may consider the cost of hiring someone who really knows what they're doing seem quite inexpensive...

Plus, it's not always as expensive as you might think.

Recently, I hired an electrician to install a manual transfer switch to my main electrical breaker in the garage. This was done to accommodate a generator if, O.K., when the next hurricane comes crashing along and puts out the power for two weeks as I experienced during Ike.

My cost to have it done right: $150.00

I thought it quite reasonable as it took quite a bit of labor and knowledge on his part.

[seamusTX]

Abraham, if it's a serious long-term or complicated wiring job, I have hired and will hire an electrician.

Installing a light fixture is not rocket science or brain surgery. I've done it many times without electrocuting myself or subsequently setting the house on fire. Also ceiling fans.

- Jim

[The Annoyed Man]

It may not be rocket surgery, but it is voodoo. When it comes to playing with electrons, I hire the other guy to electrocute himself. I've done it to myself a couple of times, and it has lost all of its charm for me.