Thanks to the Internet and instructional videos, homeowners have never felt more empowered to tackle complex home repairs and remodeling jobs that were once reserved for trained professionals. However, conducting electrical work is a potentially dangerous activity if not done correctly. An incorrectly installed tile floor might not look nice, but an improperly wired home could cause electrical fires. By learning the home electrical projects you should never DIY, you can better understand your limitations as an amateur handyman.
Electrical Panel Repair and Replacement
Thanks to the National Electrical Code (NEC), you need an electrical permit to work on an electrical system, which includes the panel. This requirement results from officials recognizing the dangers of electrical operation and the need to standardize training.
With its connections, an electrical panel is the system’s brain, and incorrect wiring here could affect the entire system. If done improperly, your best-case scenario is that a room doesn’t get power, but the worst case is an electrical fire that spreads through your house.
Altering or Installing Power Cables
Depending on where you live, when you alter or install new power cables on a property, you’ll need to get it inspected to ensure it meets safety requirements. Amateurs will often fail these inspections because they are unaware of all the local electrical codes that a trained professional would be well versed in.
Adding New Switches
Whenever you add new switches to a system, you have to splice and redirect power. Besides checking for hot wires, an electrician needs to be careful when adding a new connection to ensure that it works harmoniously with the system. Otherwise, the switch could overheat and burn.
Junction Box Installation
Because the NEC code doesn’t allow spliced wires outside of approved enclosures, your system will need a junction box or two. Since you’ll have to balance voltage between multiple connections, it’s better to leave such a complicated task to someone with experience in safely constructing electrical systems.
Working on Weatherheads
A weatherhead is a protective cover of the area where electrical and telephone lines connect with your home. Since it is directly attached to your power line, there is a massive amount of constant voltage surging between the connection. So, if not handled correctly, it could lead to life-threatening electrocutions.
Now that you know the home electrical projects you should never DIY, reach out to No Shorts Electric for your Nassau County electrician needs.
