Hi everyone,
I am in the process of finishing my basement. I intend to get all the proper inspections done, and I also want to do as much of the work as I can myself. Problem is, I'm not exactly an electrical engineer.
I have been thinking about stringing out all the wiring and outlets myself to the greatest extent possible, then hiring an electrician to do all the hookups to the box. Does this sound like a good approach?

Thank You!
Joe

 

Yes, it's an excellent approach. Read about four books on home wiring to learn minimum code requirements, good design and good implementation techniques. Also give a lot of thought to how you and your family plan to use the basement. There are a lot of things you can do to maximum effectiveness for your lifestyle.

 

There were a couple of questions I had first off...any advantage to using a certain gauge of wire? Also, I may put in a chest freezer down there. Does that require different current?

Thanks again.

 

I'd recommend doing all wiring with 12/2 Romex, plus a little 12/3 between 3-way switches (if any). Yes, you can put a chest freezer down there. A separate circuit for it is a good idea, but may not be necessary depending on the electrical specs of the freezer.

Depending on how big your basement is, and where your main panel is, and how much space is left in it, you might consider having the electrician put in a subpanel for your basement.

 

I'm sorry to ask such stupid questions, but what is the difference between 12/2 and 12/3?

From what little I can tell, I think a subpanel is in my future. Not much room left on the current panel.

Thanks!
Joe

 

The most basic difference in the two is in a 12/2 you have a hot , a neutral and a ground mostly black, white and bare. In a 12/3 you have two hots, one neutral and a ground. Black, Red, White and bare. In running three way switches you need one common wire to the two switches and two travellers, thus requiring the 12/3.

 

I would line up an electrician willing to do this before starting. Running lines is usually left to the greenest guys, cause it's a lot of manual work. You can probably find someone to help you this way, but they will probably want to check out your plans and comment on them before you start. Using #12 is probably a good idea, but it means you have to use larger boxes sometimes. Most places I have worked limit receps on a circuit to 8 for 15 amps, and 10 for 20 amps. Six inches of wire must extend from the sheath of the cable. There are a lot of details that you need to know. Pay for a few hours if needed so all goes smoothly.
If you have a friend or neighbor who has done wiring, try to enlist them to give you some pointers and get you started. You may decide to do the whole thing yourself.

 

John had a great point.. read up...
Look through these forums or others..

One book I recommend (beside the NEC code book, it's such light reading!!) is the Black and Decker guide to Home Wiring.
Can be found anywhere, even the library and will answer most if not all of your questions.
How to wire a room, etc. etc.

I also agree with brickeyee in the fact that after you have read up, have a meeting with your electrician.... it would kinda suck if you did things one way and your electrician wants them another.. even if everything is to code....

Good Luck and Have Fun... just dig in and you'll be proud of what you can do around the home!

Curtis

 

The Black And Decker Guide to Home Wiring is the first book I picked up! Good stuff. Thanks again for all the advice everyone! I will let you know how it goes.