1. Basic House Wiring

2. Electrical Measurement Terms
Amp - measures the rate of flow of electrical current
Volt - measure of pressure or force pushing electricity
Ohm - measure of electrical resistance
Watt - basic measure of electricity (amps x volts = watts)

3. Other Basic Terms
Ground - connector that runs between a device or circuit to safely conduct current to earth
Conductor - device intended to carry electrical current
Insulator - material that is a poor conductor of electricity; used to prevent electrical flow
Short circuit - accidental connection between two conductors
Overload - to run equipment in excess of its normal full load

4. Where does electricity come from?
1) Generation
Nuclear fission - split atoms
Hydro power - moving water
Burning fossil fuels - power plants
2) Step-up transformer
Voltage stepped up in transformer to between 69 and 345 thousand volts (sometimes even higher)
3) Transmission lines
Electricity travels through wires over long distances

5. Where does electricity come from? (continued)
4) Step-down transformer
Voltage stepped down in transformer at substation to between 2000 and volts
5) Distribution Lines
Electricity travels around community (sometimes above ground and sometimes below ground
6) Distribution transformer
Steps down voltage to between 120 and 240 volts for use in business or home
7) Customer line
Electricity enters homes or business

6. Circuit Path for electricity Many circuits within a home
Closed - electricity is allowed to flow
Open - electricity is stopped
Many circuits within a home

7. Fuse/Circuit Breaker Boxes
Each branch circuit is protected by fuses or circuit breakers
If too much current is used, fuses or breakers will open the circuit
Fuse - if blown needs to be replaced
Circuit breaker - “trips” to open circuit; may be reset

8. Voltage Two wires carry 120 volts each
120 used for lights and small appliances (outlets)
Two wires combined for 240 volts
240 volts used for large appliances (oven, dryer, hot water heaters, air conditioners)

9. Basic Electrical Tool Kit
Screwdriver
Long-nose pliers (similar to needle nose but has curved ends)
Lineman’s Pliers
Side Cutters - Diagonal-cutting pliers
Tin Snips
Wire Stripper/Cutter (Multipurpose tool)
Cable Ripper
Fuse Puller
Fish Tape
Conduit Bender

10. Testers Receptacle analyzer Voltage tester Continuity tester
Multimeter (has specific settings to test all - voltage, amperage, and resistance)

11. Basic Electrical Relationship
Ohm’s Law
I = amperage (the flow of electrons)
R = resistance (resistance to the flow)
E (or V) = voltage (force behind electrons)
E = I x R
E (or V) I R

12. Basic Skills for Replacing an Extension Cord End
Use a wire ripper to slice cable sheathing
Remove cable sheathing
Use a wire stripper to remove insulation around each wire
Make necessary connections
Hook wire clockwise over screws
Twist wire clockwise for wire nuts

13. Wire Identification
Black wire - “hot”...electricity is brought to devices through this wire
White wire - “neutral”...electricity goes back through this wire
Bare Copper or Green wire - “ground”...safety for all stray electricity

14. Long Nose Pliers
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15. Lineman’s Pliers
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16. Side Cutters
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17. Tin Snips
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18. Wire Stripper/Cutter
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19. Cable Ripper
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20. Fuse Puller
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21. Fish Tape
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22. Conduit Bender
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23. Receptacle Analyzer
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24. Voltage Tester
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25. Continuity Tester
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26. Multimeter
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