Electrical work can be dangerous; make sure that power is disabled before starting a project.
In the United States there exists the National Electric Code (NEC). This code is the basis for most local electrical portions of local building codes. However, if you are planning a major electric project, get from the local building department its electric code for the area where the project will be located. The codes exist for the protection of residents --- not following the codes can have serious or even fatal consequences. Does this Spark an idea?
Common Code Requirements
The use of plastic electrical boxes is very common in the United States, but some localities do require metal boxes. Check this with your local building department. All new receptacles, fixtures and appliances must be grounded. Most building departments allow the use of nonmetallic (NM) cables. If it is acceptable to use it, this is the easiest cable to work with. However, if there is exposed cable, not located behind drywall or plaster walls, the local building code may insist that the cable be of the armored type or run in a conduit. Residential circuits are usually 120 volts and 15-amp. Lighting must be connected to 15-amp circuits, but in laundry rooms and kitchens, 20-amp circuits can be the requirement. The use of 14-gauge wire is the recommendation for 15-amp circuits, while 12-gauge wire is preferable for 20-amp circuits. If the changes being made do not call for a new circuit, your existing fuse box or circuit breaker panel most likely will suffice for the project. But, if additional circuits need to be added, the panel may need upgrading or require a subpanel.
Bathroom Requirements
Because so many appliances are used in bathrooms, like hair curlers, hair dryers, electric razors, lighting, fans, and perhaps auxiliary heat, the bathroom electricity should be on a 20-amp circuit. While it is a good idea to have a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) on every bathroom outlet, the NEC requires only that any outlet within 6 feet of a water source be a GFCI. The GFCI is a protective device that senses change in the flow of electricity. If a circuit becomes wet, the GFCI will react in 1/30th of a second and shut down the outlet, protecting the user from electric shock.
Kitchen Requirements
Each kitchen appliance with a motor must have its own 240-volt circuit. These appliances include the refrigerator, stove and cooktop, garbage disposal and microwave. In addition, the NEC requires a minimum of two outlets above the counter top. Here too, if within 6 feet of a water source, there must be GFCI outlets installed.
Living Room and Bedroom Requirements
The living room and bedrooms are to have a wall switch right next to the entrance, to light the room before entry. The wall switch can control an outlet with a lamp plugged into it, a wall sconce, or an overhead fixture. Overhead fixtures may not be controlled by a pull chain. Outlets on the room perimeters should be spaced 12 feet apart. If there is a dining room, NEC requires one 20-amp outlet as part of the perimeter configuration of an outlet every 12 feet.
Stairways. Hallways and Closets
Stairways must have three-way switches at the top and the bottom to allow for lighting the stairway from entry points at each end. Stairways with landings should have a light on the landing(s) on the same three-way circuit to make sure the landing(s) is well-lit. Hallways more than 10 feet long must have at least one regular outlet for utility purposes. In addition, each end of the hallway requires a three-way switch. The NEC requires closets to have one globe-covered light connected to a wall switch.
Laundry and Garage
The laundry room needs its own 20-amp receptacle. Also, if the dryer is electric, it must be connected to a separate 240-volt circuit.
Tags: local building, must have, wall switch, 15-amp circuits, 20-amp circuits, 240-volt circuit
