Service

• Q&A: Sealing Fire-Stop Penetrations

  Q: When we build homes, we drill numerous holes through wall plates and subfloor assemblies for wiring, plumbing, and hvac ducts. Are there any code requirements for sealing the gaps around these penetrations?

   

• Temporary Site Lighting (Subscriber content)

  It’s hard to do good work in the dark. Here’s an overview of products to light up the job site, from hand-held and string lights to powerful stanchion lights.

   

• Common Electrical Inspection Failures (Subscriber content)

  The last thing a gerneral contractor needs is to have a job put on hold because of a failed electrical inspection. A master electrician shows how to identify the trouble spots before the inspector does.

   

• Q&A: Push-In Connections on Receptacles

  Q: Many of the receptacles I use have push-in connectors on the back. Does a push-in connection perform as well as the side-mounted screw terminal connection?

   

• Focus on Energy: Mechanical Room Ventilation (Subscriber content)

  Venting mechanical rooms

   

• Installing Sprinkler Systems (Subscriber content)

  In the U.S., a residential fire starts every 68 seconds. To prevent loss of life, some municipalities are beginning to require sprinklers in new homes. Here’s what you need to know before you design and install a working system.

   

• Eight-Penny News

  Dealing with aluminum wiring, job-site recycling update, builders fight proposed fire sprinkler ordinances

   

• Eight-Penny News

  Pier foundation failure, EIFS hides moisture problems, electrical code changes, termites versus foam

   

• Letters

  Safe wiring practice, EPA defends radon policy

   
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  Q&A: Tracing 3-Wire Circuits

  Q: In many of the houses we work in, we are asked to evaluate the electrical system. We sometimes find 10/3 wire used on 110-volt circuits with 15- and 20-amp breakers in the panel. The installer has used the red and the black wire for separate circuits. Is this an acceptable installation or does...

   

• Foolproof Surge Protection (Subscriber content)

  This surge protection system, developed by a master electrician, protects submersible pumps and electronic appliances in heavy lightning areas.

   

• The Electrical Panel (Subscriber content)

  In this guided tour of a distribution panel, a master electrician tells how to make sure an electrical system is wired safely and correctly grounded.

   

• Eight-Penny News

   

• Letters

   

• Letters

   

• Bringing the Bathroom Up to Code (Subscriber content)

  The bathroom is the most regulated room in the house. A contractor discusses the accessibility, safety, energy, and structural requirements you must comply with.

   

• Safe Wiring With GFCIs (Subscriber content)

  This builder’s common sense system for shop-built wall systems dramatically increases efficiency and lowers costs.

   

• Letters

   

• Restoration Primer: Historic Building Meets Contemporary Codes (Subscriber content)

   

• Electrical Handbook for Remodelers (Subscriber content)

  A master electrician tells what you need to know to avoid safety violations and cost overruns.