Posted-By: auto-faq 3.3.1 (Perl 5.006)
Archive-name: electrical-wiring/part1

Updated: WARNING

This FAQ has not been updated or posted in a number of years.  It
is intended that it will be updated to bring it more into compliance
with current code.  Comments welcome at wirefaq(@)ferret.ocunix.on.ca

	    Frequently Asked Questions on Electrical Wiring

                        Copyright 1991-2004
		Steven Bellovin (smb(at)research.att.com)
		Chris Lewis (clewis(at)ferret.ocunix.on.ca)

		Redistribution for profit, or in altered content/format
		prohibited without permission of the authors.
		Redistribution via printed book or CDROM expressly
		prohibited without consent of the author.  Any other
		redistribution must include this copyright notice and
		attribution.

	    Comments to: wirefaq@ferret.ocunix.on.ca

The latest FAQ can always be obtained from:

    http://www.landfield.com/faqs/electrical-wiring
    ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/electrical-wiring/part1
    ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/electrical-wiring/part2

This FAQ is formatted as a digest.  Most news readers can skip from one
question to the next by pressing ^G.

Answers to many other topics related to houses can be obtained from the
misc.consumers.house archive; send an empty piece of mail to
house-archive@dg-rtp.dg.com for information.

Changes to previous issue marked with "|" in left column.  Watch
particularly for "NEW" in the Questions list for new or substantively
changed answers.  "g^|" will get you to the changed sections quickly in
most newsreaders.

---

Section Contents

• News Headers
• Questions answered in this FAQ
• Introduction/Disclaimers
• What is the NEC? Where can I get a copy?
• What is the CEC? Where can I get a copy?
• Can I do my own wiring? Extra pointers?
• What do I need in the way of tools?
• What is UL listing?
• What is CSA approval?
• What impact does NAFTA have on wiring standards and approvals?
• Are there any cheaper, easier to read books on wiring?
• Other Resources on Wiring
• Inspections how and what? Why should I get my wiring inspected?
• My house doesn't meet some of these rules and regulations. Do I have to upgrade?
• A word on voltages: 110/115/117/120/125/220/240
• What does an electrical service look like?
• What is a circuit?
• "grounding" versus "grounded" versus "neutral".
• What does a fuse or breaker do? What are the differences?
• Breakers? Can't I use fuses?
• What size wire should I use?
• Where do these numbers come from?
• What does "14-2" mean?
• What is a "wire-nut"/"marrette"/"marr connector"? How are they used?
• What is a GFI/GFCI?
• Where should GFCIs be used?
• Where shouldn't I use a GFCI?
• What is the difference between a GFCI outlet and a GFCI breaker?
• What's the purpose of the ground prong on an outlet, then?
• Grounding electrode system
• Bonding requirements
• Testing grounding conductors and grounding electrodes.
• Why is one prong wider than the other? Polarization
• How do I convert two prong receptacles to three prong?
• Surges, spikes, zaps, grounding and your electronics
• Are you sure about GFCIs and ungrounded outlets? Should the test button work?

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