ELECTRICAL FINISH: PLUGS, SWITCHES AND PLATE COVERS

Remember to turn off breakers before doing any work. DO NOT work on live circuits.

Back Stabbing of outlets and plugs is NOT allowed.

Use Outlet Spacers to make devices flush with the wall.

ONLY USE Alumiconn Connectors for aluminum wire. Failure to do so will result in electrical failure.

You can order from Lowe's,

https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=alumiconn%20wire%20connector

THE USE OF NOALOX IN A WIRE NUT IS NOT ALLOWED. Use TAMPER RESISTANT Outlets only.

Bathrooms: A receptacle should be located to the side of the vanity. This will allow a mirror to be hung over on top of it.

If a room does not have enough receptacles, add them in, using EMT if drywall is not being replaced. There should generally be at least 2 receptacles on every wall.

Electrical Cover plates should always be WHITE, or metal, and of at least “Medium” size. There should be no gap between the drywall and the plate cover. Plates should be flushed with the wall, with all screws turned in a “horizontal” direction.

Exterior Outlets should have an “In Use” cover.

All outlets and covers should be free of paint.

DO NOT USE DUMMY SWITCHES.

Every switch should control something. If a switch does not work, use a plate filler instead.

Do not put in a switch that doesn't do anything.

Here's a sample of plate filler.

Use of Switch Cover

Switch covers, also known as wall plates, are decorative covers that are placed over electrical switches and outlets. They are used to conceal the electrical wiring and to protect people from accidental contact with live electrical parts. Switch covers are also used to improve the appearance of a room by adding a touch of style and personality.

Switch covers are made from a variety of materials, including plastic, metal, wood, and glass. They come in a wide range of colors and finishes, so it is easy to find switch covers that match the décor of any room.

Here are some of the specific uses of switch covers:

Safety: Switch covers protect people from accidental contact with live electrical parts. This is especially important for children and pets, who may be curious about electrical outlets and switches.
Aesthetics: Switch covers can improve the appearance of a room by adding a touch of style and personality. They can be used to coordinate with the décor of a room or to create a unique accent.
Function: Switch covers can also be used to provide additional functionality. For example, some switch covers have built-in dimmers or timers.

Here are some examples of how switch covers can be used in different rooms of the house:

Living room: Switch covers in the living room can be used to match the décor of the room or to create a unique accent. For example, switch covers with a metallic finish can add a touch of luxury to a living room, while switch covers with a wood finish can add a touch of warmth.
Kitchen: Switch covers in the kitchen can be used to match the appliances and cabinets. For example, switch covers with a stainless steel finish can be used to match stainless steel appliances.
Bathroom: Switch covers in the bathroom can be used to match the bathroom fixtures and hardware. For example, switch covers with a chrome finish can be used to match chrome bathroom fixtures.
Bedroom: Switch covers in the bedroom can be used to create a relaxing and inviting atmosphere. For example, switch covers with a soft pastel finish can be used to create a calming effect.

Switch covers are a simple and affordable way to improve the safety, appearance, and functionality of your home.

Here are the sample Switch cove from Amazon

Light Switch Guards 2 Pack - Ivory

Clear Light Switch Guards, 3 - Pack

DUAL SECURITY OPTIONS – Choose from either Secure Limited Access or remove the tabs for easy Finger Access activation.
CLEAR DESIGN BLENDS WITH HOME DÉCOR – Unique virtually invisible design that blends with any home décor or wall plate, is safe to use for both indoor and outdoor switches and is dimmer compatible. Made of clear polycarbonate plastic.
UNIQUE DESIGN – Fits standard toggle-style switches and helps prevent accidental power interruptions to appliances, security lights, and switched wall outlets. For children and adults for both home and commerical use.
EASY INSTALLATION - Easy installation utilizes existing wall plate screws. Two levels of security: For Level One Security remove side tabs before installing and Switch Shield acts as a mild deterrent distinguishing frequently used switches from seldom used ones. For Level Two Security leave side tabs intact and Switch Shield requires a small tool for switch activation.

Wiremold CordMate Cord Cover

Cover exposed wire with some kind of trim or product like this.

Wiremold Cordmate Cord cover

Cover-up Plastic Wall Plate Adapter

This item is on the Home Depot: Electrical Components List

What can happen in a house that is not being gut job renovated, where some of the outlets may still be okay. You can test them with a receptacle tester if it is wired correctly and the receptacle is firm when you shake it around, it okay to use this item.

If it's loose and does not stick in the receptacle, the receptacle needs to be replaced. The way that we can dictate this is by testing each receptacle in the house. You can also test the switches in the house just by hand and see if they're loose or not.

Here is another sample of Cover-up Plastic Wall Plate

Note that you need to do this after you have painted the house, when the electrician would be coming in to replace the receptacles.

The inserts that don't have a cover, you can put those inside of a regular, like Multi-gang cover. We cannot use these on top of GFCI outlets.

But the idea is, is that we can put these on the receptacles that just have paint on them and still function well.

And we can save money by not having to replace all the outlets if it's not needed.

But you should do this or should put these on before the electrician comes in to do the plug swap and they need to be sure to talk to the electrician about it like, how to adjust the pricing.

FULL PLATE OUTLET COVER INSTALLATION

Replacing the painted outlet cover for the full plate outlet cover, watch the video to learn how. Note that we should always use an outlet tester to verify that the outlet is wired correctly.

Outlet cover video.mp4

HELPFUL HINTS:

ELECTRICAL EDUCATION BACKGROUND AND REASONING

For why we do things, the way we do them.

TRICKS IN BENDING CABLE WIRE

Cable bending.mp4

How to use AlumiConn wire connector

How to use alumiconn connector.mp4

How GFCI's works

A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) is a device that protects people from electrical shock by detecting any imbalance in the current flowing through a circuit. This imbalance can occur if some of the current is flowing through a person's body, as can happen if they touch a live wire while also touching a grounded object.

A GFCI works by comparing the current flowing into the circuit to the current flowing out of the circuit. If these two currents are not equal, the GFCI will trip and shut off the power. The amount of imbalance that will trip a GFCI is typically very small, just a few milliamps. This is enough to prevent a serious electrical shock, but not enough to harm the appliance that is plugged into the outlet.

GFCIs are most commonly used in areas where there is a risk of water contact, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. They are also required by law in many places, such as new construction and renovations.

Here is how a GFCI works in more detail:

The GFCI has two sensors, one for the current flowing into the circuit and one for the current flowing out of the circuit.
The sensors are connected to a small circuit that is powered by a battery.
If the current flowing into the circuit is not equal to the current flowing out of the circuit, the small circuit will be activated.
This will cause the GFCI to trip and shut off the power to the circuit.

The GFCI will trip very quickly, typically in less than one-tenth of a second. This is fast enough to prevent a serious electrical shock.

GFCIs are a very important safety device. They can help to prevent electrical shocks, which can be fatal. If you have a home, it is important to make sure that all of the outlets in areas where there is a risk of water contact are protected by GFCIs.

GFCI.mp4

CIRCUIT TRACERS

A circuit tracer is an electrical tool used to identify and trace electrical wires, cables, and circuits. It is a handheld device that consists of two main components: a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is connected to the wire or circuit being traced, and it emits a signal that is picked up by the receiver. The receiver then amplifies the signal and converts it into an audible or visual signal that can be used to follow the wire or circuit.

Circuit tracers are used by electricians, engineers, and other electrical professionals to troubleshoot electrical problems, find the source of

Circuit tracers.mp4

NEVER DO THIS IN THE ELECTRICAL FINISH

Sometimes, in older homes, flippers replace the old two-prong outlets with three-prong outlets.

However, the additional prong is the ground prong, and not all older homes have ground wires.

So, to trick a simple outlet tester, flippers will bond the ground and neutral terminals together with a jumper wire. It’s called a false ground or a bootleg ground.

This is pretty obviously NOT ALLOWED and you don’t need to quote the code to demonstrate that.

The ridiculous part is that the National Electric code allows a super simple (and cheap) method of upgrading 2-prong receptacles without rewiring the whole house.

Using a Yankee screwdriver

Using a Yankee screwdriver (link) to decrease switch plate cover install time and decrease strain on your hand- they provide more control than a drill, too

Yankee screwdriver.mov

FIXING OUTLET

This video shows how to fix or make your outlet firm using screws.

Fixing outlet.MOV

WIRE MOLDING: LEGRAND

The Legrand Wiremold 700 series raceway is ideal for surface mounting small amounts of electrical wiring or communication cables. Surface metal raceway allows you to add fixtures and outlets without disturbing the drywall, plaster or insulation in your home. It is also ideal for adding wire when you can't go into the wall, such as on concrete foundations or brick walls. Combine with other 700 series connectors, fittings and channel to ensure you have the right customization for every project.

Home depot Link: Legrand wiremold

For the project manager part of it , Wire Molding is an alternative to EMT.

If you know, we didn't want to have an electrician over there for some reason and we just needed to like get something done. It's it's an option to use but we generally prefer to use EMT.

Legrand wire mold, also known as wiremold raceway, serves two main purposes:

Cable Management and Protection: It provides a safe and organized path for running electrical wires, communication cables (phone lines, data cables), and audio/visual cables. By containing the wires within the raceway, it prevents tangles and clutter, making them easier to access and manage in the future.
Aesthetics: Wire mold offers a clean and finished look compared to having loose wires running across walls. It comes in various colors and can blend in with the surrounding decor

Sample on where to use Wire Molding

If there's like a single wire that Is exposed you can use wire molding instead of EMT.

Wiremold: How to Install Metal Raceway

Wiremold Metal Raceway is perfect for heavy-duty applications including: brick walls, concrete, or garages. Available in high or standard capacity, the paintable Metal Raceway makes it a snap to run power wherever you need it. Learn how to install.

How to Install Wiremold Nonmetallic Raceway

The sleek profile of wiremold nonmetallic Raceway makes it ideal for residential surface wiring applications the nonmetallic material is easier to cut the metal Raceway and it's both paintable and stainable.

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