Doing electrical work yourself might seem daunting and even scary to many people, but with the rising costs of practically everything, we all have to cut down on our spending. This has led to many people doing any needed home improvements themselves, even electrical work.
But before you start rewiring the whole house by yourself, you need to familiarise yourself with the local electrical codes, which are put in place for your safety.
So, in this article, we will go over the basics of electrical codes, common requirements, specifics for different rooms and more!
Electrical Codes
So what exactly are electrical codes, anyway? Electrical codes are sets of regulations that the electrical installation in a building must adhere to. These regulations ensure that electrical wiring systems are safe for people and their property.
Electrical codes can differ by region, country, or even from town to town. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is attempting to homogenise wiring standards amongst its member countries, but there are still large variations in different national requirements.
Your local electrical codes regulate:
- what types of outlets, breakers, and other electrical components you have to use;
- how many circuits each room must have and their maximum load;
- how to design your wiring to be both practical and safe;
- the minimum number of receptacles, switches, fixtures in a room, and more.
Depending on the law where you live, you might be required to pass one or even several different inspections during your project.
An inspector, well-versed in the local electrical code, will ensure that every part of your work is up to the legal requirements and will notify you of any mistakes that need to be amended.
Failing to notify the relevant authorities and pass inspections is unsafe for you and your home and can incur some unpleasant fines.
Common Electrical Code Requirements
No matter the specifics of your local electrical code, there are some basic requirements that you must always adhere to when designing and implementing your wiring:
- Electrical boxes. No matter whether you’re required to use a metal or plastic box, make sure to use one that is big enough to fit all your wiring comfortably so it’s not cramped. The box must also be securely attached to a wall.
- Any and all receptacles, fixtures and appliances must be properly grounded to provide protection from shock hazards.
- Circuits and breakers. Every circuit must have its own breaker. Regular UK household circuits run between 3A and 13A. A standard BS 1363 socket will not support more than 13 amps at a time. Appliances that draw lots of electricity (cookers, toasters, electric kettles, etc.) should each have their own circuit and breaker.
- Service panels. Your current service panels will suffice if you don’t add new circuits. If you add more circuits, you will need to either install a bigger panel or add an additional one. Remember always to keep your service panels easily accessible.
Electrical Codes for Different Rooms
Now, onto the more detailed codes – those for all the different rooms in your home and the spaces outside of it. These regulations can differ quite a bit depending on where you live, so you should always consult your local codes to be sure what the requirements are.
Bedroom, Living and Dining Room
- Every room must have a wall switch near the entry door that controls a ceiling fixture or a receptacle with a switch.
- All ceiling fixtures must be controlled by a switch, not a pull chain.
- There must be at least one receptacle on each wall, and they shouldn’t be more than 3-4 metres apart.
- A receptacle is required if a stretch of wall between two doors is broader than 60 cm.
- Receptacles and lights are typically allowed to share a circuit.
- A high-power electrical consumer, such as an AC unit or a computer setup, may require a dedicated circuit.
Hallways and Closets
- All stairways must have a light fixture controlled by three-way switches present at the bottom and the top of the stairs.
- Hallways might also need a light controlled by three-way switches.
- A hallway longer than 3 metres must have at least one receptacle.
- Closets should have at least one overhead light controlled by a wall switch.
- The light must not be a bare bulb, which can pose a potential fire hazard.
Kitchens
- There should be at least two ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacles above the countertops used to power small appliances.
- The refrigerator, microwave, cooker, dishwasher, and other high-power appliances should all be on separate circuits.
- The lights in the room should have their own separate circuit.
Bathrooms
- All bathroom receptacles must be GFCI-protected because, as we all know – water and electricity don’t mix well. GFCI receptacles will ensure that an electric shock isn’t possible.
- All light fixtures should be sealed to keep out moisture. Those that might get splashed on during a shower have to be rated fully waterproof.
- A bathroom extractor fan or heater might draw enough power to require its own circuit.
Garages and Outdoors
- Garages must have at least one receptacle. This does not include any receptacles used for laundry machines, driers, or other appliances.
- An overhead light should be present, controlled by at least one wall switch.
- All wiring must be waterproof underground cable, conduit, or both for outdoor areas. The depth at which the cable must be buried varies by local codes.
- All outdoor receptacles should be fitted with special waterproof outlets, which will limit the chance of moisture-induced short circuits.
Consult with an Electrician
If you’re unsure about any part of your DIY electrical plans, you should always seek the aid of a professional electrician.
If you’re keen to do all of the work yourself, consult with a licensed electrician and inquire about everything you’re not 100% sure about. Do not be afraid to ask, even if you think your questions sound stupid.
When dealing with electricity, proper planning, precautions and safety measures will help avoid getting a very unpleasant, and sometimes even fatal, electric shock.
So if you’re not completely sure of your ability to safely execute your ideas, don’t risk it. Call an experienced electrician who will do your electrical work quickly, safely and efficiently.
Conclusion
Electrical work is not for everyone, that’s for sure. But it’s not rocket science, either!
Every person can deal with some simple wiring, so why not take on that project you’ve been delaying for ages? But before you whip out your tools, you should do some very important research first!
Now that you’ve read our article, you have a good idea of electrical codes and some general rules that are almost always present in the code. But requirements can differ greatly from one locality to another, so you should always check and abide by your local electrical codes.