Electrical Panel Wiring For Dallas Homeowners
There are certain types of electrical panels that should be replaced when certain factors apply. When age, unreliable circuit protection, recall or other safety issue arise we generally recommend replacing these panels whenever we see them.
This video is intended for entertainment purposes only. Consult a licensed electrician if you are uncertain about any aspect of your electrical project.
How to Wire An Electrical Panel
To install the electrical panel, you must first knock out the knockouts to install the feeder pipe. Look at the electrical panel top, bottom, and sides. Locate the round punched knockouts that are provided for your convenience. These knockouts can be removed easily with a hammer and chisel, pliers, or linesman pliers. Once the knockouts are removed, install the electrical connectors into the panel and install a locknut to hold it in place.
If you’re using metal pipe, place a plastic bushing over the connector threads.Once all of your wire connectors and conduits are installed, you are now to install the electrical panel.
Level the electrical panel and insert screws through the holes provided in the back of the panel. If the holes don’t land on the studs behind the panel, drill holes to accommodate the installation or you can mount a piece of plywood to accommodate the panel.
Using a fish tape, push the tape through the conduit from the electrical panel to the electrical box you are trying to feed. Connect the wires to the fish tape and wrap the end with electrical tape. Pull the electrical feeder wires through the feeder pipe while having someone feed the wire into the electrical box.Pull the wire until you get the wire into the panel but leave enough wire to get to the opposite side of the panel.
That way, there will be plenty of wire to make the connection anywhere in the electric panel.
Bend the two black wires to shape them for easy installation to the main breaker. In this photo, the main breaker is located at the top right of the panel. Strip the wire only enough to make the connection to the main breaker terminal lugs. Excess bare wire leaves a safety hazard where the wires can come in contact with other wires and cause a short circuit.
Connect the neutral wire to the neutral buss. The neutral buss is located on either side of the breakers. It is a silver-colored bar with many smaller screws and connection points. It also has a larger hole for the feeder neutral wire. The neutral wire is the wire marked with the white phasing tape.
To install branch circuit wires, use a fish tape to pull the wires. In the event that you are pulling many wires together or the wire pull is really long, you may need to use wire pulling compound to make the wire pull easier. If you are installing NM wiring, install NM connectors to the electrical panel and secure the wires with the two screws on the straps. Strip the outer sheathing to expose the conductors.With the use of a special stripping tool, you can rest assure not to damage the wire strands within.
Using a razor knife is often the choice but can be an easy way to cause damage to the individual wires within. Even the most experienced electricians can damage a wire using the wrong tool, but I must admit I use a razor knife after 30 years of electrical work. I suppose repetition has aided me in being able to strip the wires without damage.
Connect all of the green and bare copper wires to the ground buss bar. Connect the white neutral wires to the neutral buss. I like to get wire numbering kits that identify which neutral wire goes with what circuit number. This makes removing a circuit later easier. If you bend the wires ahead of time, you’ll have a nice, neat wire installation that looks uniform.
Next, install the circuit feeds to the branch circuit breakers. The black and red wires are the feeder wires in this photo with the black wires being one of the hot feeds and the red wires being the other. Connect the appropriately sized wire to the correctly rated breaker. Bend the wires so that they keep a neat appearance when the installation is complete.
Safety Electrical Panel Wiring
Our certified electrical technicians will inspect your electrical panel, breakers, and meter for damage or improper wiring and repair or replace any electrical hazards. Call (214) 238-8353 us for your home service and repair needs.
For more related articles and info visit https://www.berkeys.com/category/electrical/