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Understanding the different types of electrical wiring in your home is very important because this information is very useful and will come in handy when doing any electrical repairs or remodeling. This information will allow you to complete such jobs properly while preventing dangerous consequences from occurring.

Electrical Wiring System

There are different types of home wiring, and the following guide will provide you with an explanation of the most common ones. The first step is to understand the basic terms, labeling, and coding you will come across, and the words cable and wire are often used interchangeably, so many people think they’re the same thing when in reality they are not. Electrical wire refers to any material that conducts electricity, whereas a cable refers to the combination of two or more wires. It’s also important to know that the other sheathing of cables is color-coded to inform you of the size of the wires inside the cable and the cable’s amperage.

Wire color coding is standard for all conductors, and home electrical wires generally consist of white, black/red, and bare/green. White is a neutral wire that is responsible for completing a circuit by carrying the current back to the panel. Black/red are hot wires meaning they carry electrical current from the panel to a device which can be a light fixture, switch, or appliance. Bare/green indicates ground wires, which create a path for the current to return to your home’s breaker, cut off electricity and blow a fuse. While there are other colors of wires, these are the most common ones in a home, and knowing what each one represents will allow you to better understand how the various wires in your home contribute to the electrical system.

There are different types of wiring found throughout a home, and non-metallic cable is very common. This type of cable is generally three or more individual conductors, which are wrapped in a flexible plastic jacket known as sheathing. You will usually find a hot wire, a ground wire, and a neutral wire in one non-metallic cable, which is used for dry, interior home electrical wiring. These cables are designed strictly for homes, so they cannot be used in commercial projects. They also cannot be used in residential construction projects that exceed three stories in height.

Armored cable is another common type of wiring that is designed with flexible metallic sheathing, which provides extra protection for the conductors inside. Underground feeder cables can be used outdoors and are suitable for use in wet conditions. This type of cable does not need walls, floors, or ceilings for protection and can get wet without any issues, and can also be buried under the ground.

Electrical wiring projects should be completed by professionals, and Expert Electric can help. Our electrical contractors specialize in knob and tube wiring, home rewiring, surge protection, and more. Whether you need a commercial or residential electrician, we can help, so if you are in Winnipeg, contact us today!