Electrical Wiring

Electrical wiring is used to supply electrical power to different parts of a household or a factory. An electric wiring system transfers the high voltage electricity from the power grid into different rooms and their power sockets and appliances respectively. Electrical wiring is not a hard concept where the principles can be understood easily. The wiring used in this system is insulated so that there is no leakage of electricity from the conducting wires.

The wire is laid out in wiring a building or house and is termed building wire while the wiring inside a machine is called equipment wire. The wires which are used to carry electricity are graded by the diameter of a cross section of the wire. Measurements are denoted by gauge where a gauge is in reverse order with the wire diameter.

Electrical systems have a high risk of causing fires and electric shock if not properly insulated. For this reason, in the 80’s when wiring was done commonly a set of codes were used to ensure safety. Following these codes, in the late nineties a National Electric Code (NEC) was set by the Fire Prevention Agency. These codes make sure that electrical wiring is done in such a way that the insulation stops a fire caused by electric leakage.

All modern electrical wiring and modifications to existing electrical systems should be done in accordance with NEC. NEC is concerned about the load of current carried in a wire and its diameter. The wire and insulation can be made of different materials; all these materials should be safe. Normally in modern wiring copper is used as the conducting wire. This is because copper is a good conductor and copper wires are flexible. Application of copper is practical since copper is cheap. Rubber was used for insulation but since it is reported to corrode when exposed to humid air for long periods of time, PVC compounds are used. When modifications are made to a current electrical system, they should be done in accordance with regulation and not cause overload or risk of fire.

Different electric wires of a wiring system are well insulated and protected. Different colored rubber is used in places where it is easy to recognize different lines. Even after such safety systems are used on wiring systems, it is not recommended for people without proper knowledge of electric wiring to try to repair or modify them. This is because the main wiring carries a large electric current that is capable of killing a human instantly. Electricians use special tools and precautions to avoid shock from electrical wiring.

If there is a fault in the electric wiring, a licensed electrician should be called to action. Sometimes appliances can be damaged by faulty wiring and even cause fires. Common symptoms are sparks coming out of power sockets and light dimming as other devices are being plugged into the power system. In such cases professional help is essential for the safety of siblings.