Electrical Review

I've realized something. Just knowing that now is the best time to do a certain task, doesn't make doing it any easier. The electrical for the kitchen is finally updated, but it took alot longer than I expected. I ended up adding 5 outlets (two of which are GFCI). I also added 3 switches. One for the garbage disposal, one for under-cabinet lighting, and one for the cieling fixture. The latter was a real hassle, we have such a small attic space, much to small for me, so Rachel had to crawl up in the cieling to fish the wire over to me. At the end of the day it's done, and I'm just glad to move on. I do have a few things that maybe I can pass along.

• BE CAREFUL. Purchase the tools you need like an outlet tester. Never work on hot-wires.
  
• Educate yourself. There are alot of good resources out there for the do it yourself home-owner, purchase a reference guide or use the internet.
  
• Plan ahead. I did some rework to get things right, that I could have avoided by drawing out a plan ahead of time.
• Black to Black, White to White, Ground to Ground. No exceptions.
  Edit: Ok, I've been informed that there are occasionally exceptions, for example when wiring 3 and 4 way switches you might want to connect white to black so you just have to run one wire to the outlet. Black = Line, White = Lead in this circumstance.
• 1/2 hole is sufficient to run up to 3 wires through.
• When stripping the wires, a utilitiy knife works well, but be careful not to knick the wire.
• Countertop outlets and switches go 45 inches above the floor.
• Line = Hot wire coming in to a switch or outlet.
• Load = Hot wire going out of the switch or outlet.
• Outlets have a tab connecting the top and bottom plug which can be broken if you want them to operate independetly (of couse you need two Lines coming in.
• Anything on a circuit that comes after a switch will be operated by that switch so unless you want to turn your lights on before your outlets will work, branch Lines to switches off from a Junction Box.
• Be Careful.

After getting the electrical finished up Rachel and I put up a piece of drywall on the wall we pushed back into the (old) kitchen. I'll get a layout posted soon for our design for the kitchen.

Rachel braced the countertop when I wasn't making her pull wire for me. Josh and Jenny were over with Tyler and Jenny helped us get our cabinet design finalized. She works at Home Depot, so it's nice to have an expert in our corner. Pictures next time!