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Basic House Wiring. 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). Other Basic Terms.
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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)
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
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
Where does electricity come from? (continued) • 4) Step-down transformer • Voltage stepped down in transformer at substation to between 2000 and 13000 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
Circuit • Path for electricity • Closed - electricity is allowed to flow • Open - electricity is stopped • Many circuits within a home
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
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)
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
Testers • Receptacle analyzer • Voltage tester • Continuity tester • Multimeter (has specific settings to test all - voltage, amperage, and resistance)
E (or V) I R 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
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
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
Long Nose Pliers Back
Lineman’s Pliers Back
Side Cutters Back
Tin Snips Back
Wire Stripper/Cutter Back
Cable Ripper Back
Fuse Puller Back
Fish Tape Back
Conduit Bender Back
Receptacle Analyzer Back
Voltage Tester Back
Continuity Tester Back
Multimeter Back