Understanding Electrical Basics in Your Home

Electrical Basics Every Homeowner Should Know

Electricity is one of the most important developments in history. Electricity has made it possible to keep our homes well-lit, convenient, and comfortable all year long. Never is this more obvious than when something interferes with the normal performance of the electrical system in the house, and we all want to be able to correct those problems whenever we can.

Of course, some problems are beyond the range of what an untrained person should be doing. A licensed electrician should handle jobs that require complex knowledge and skills, such as installing heavy electrical systems and making calculations about loads on a circuit.

For other jobs, though, there is a certain amount that we can do ourselves. We also need a basic understanding of electricity so that we can be educated consumers when contacting an electrician, power provider, or appliance manufacturer about a problem. Familiarize yourself with these terms so that you can be a better electrical consumer.

Meter

Somewhere on the outside of the house is the meter, a device used by your electric provider to measure how much power you are using. It is installed in a metal box that connects to the main transmission line, either through a buried or overhead service line, and to a line that passes through the wall or foundation and goes into the house. The meter has a glass cover that covers a readout, usually digital, that will be advancing like a car’s odometer.

Disconnect

Many homes have a large switch outdoors that will turn off the power to the entire system when thrown to the “off” position. This is commonly seen in mobile and modular homes, but it may be present on any type of building. It will include some type of large lever on a metal box that is similar to the one where the meter is mounted. This is a helpful tool if there is a serious problem like a fire or a gas leak inside the house because someone can quickly turn off the power without actually going inside.

Service Panel

Main Breaker

At the top of your service panel, you will see one very large switch. This is the main breaker, and it basically functions just like the disconnect you may have outside. If the main breaker is tripped or turned off, the entire house will be without power. This is a failsafe shutoff to use if you have a problem you can’t locate or if you simply aren’t sure which breaker to turn off while making repairs.

Branch Circuits

Inside the breaker box, the electrical service is distributed to the various parts of the house. Power is divided among those parts in units called circuits, which branch off of the main panel. The components on a given branch circuit can easily be identified by turning off one breaker at a time and determining which lights, receptacles, and appliances lost power. You can then write a description on a diagram inside the service panel door. Each branch circuit serves a single part of the house, usually a single room but also single systems like the water heater or clothes dryer.

Devices

Speaking of those appliances, they are types of devices. Your home’s electrical system provides power to a variety of equipment, including the heating and cooling system, kitchen range, and so forth. Understanding the setup and connection of these systems is essential for diagnosing problems and installing new equipment.

Switches

Generally speaking, a switch is a device used to turn power on or off to some type of device. The most common switches are the wall-mounted type that are used for lights, ceiling fans, and ventilation fans. However, there may be switches installed with various equipment so that power can be disconnected right at the point where it is used. A breaker is a specialized type of switch that only allows so much power to pass through. If that level is exceeded, the breaker will “trip” and turn itself off to prevent damage to equipment and maybe even a fire.

Outlets

Fixtures like ceiling lights and water heaters are wired directly into the home, often with a switch. The only way to disconnect them is to shut off the breaker and actually disconnect the wires from it. Everything else is powered through an outlet, also known as a receptacle. They supply power through the cord that is built into the device. There will usually be several outlets on each circuit, providing power to things like televisions, lamps, and of course, cell phone chargers. Modern outlets have three holes for prongs on the device plug; older homes may have just two.

Wiring

All this talk about the things at each end of the circuit could allow you to forget about what ties everything together. The home’s wiring carries electricity from the breaker box to the various circuits and devices in the home. Modern wiring actually contains three wires: a hot, a neutral, and a ground. The hot supplies power, the neutral provides a return path for the power, and the ground is connected to the housing of electrical equipment in case the power supply makes contact with it. The ground reduces the risk of being shocked by touching the equipment.

The most important starting point in any understanding of your electrical systems is understanding the various components of basic home wiring. From there, you can expand your knowledge and become more capable of diagnosing problems, purchasing equipment, and interacting with a residential electrician or other professional.