Wiring Appliances

While most appliances will have plugs ready to use, the building will not necessarily be set-up to accommodate the appliances you want or the places you want to put them. Frequently, some do-it-yourself electrical work will be required to make rooms such as the kitchen, bathroom, television room function exactly the way you desire them to. It is important to remember to always use the utmost caution when working with electricity. Ensure all circuits are switched off at the main fuse box before beginning any electrical work, no matter how seemingly insignificant. Better safe than sorry is the motto here.

One common wiring task occurs in the living room, when the available power outlets are either not sufficient or are in the wrong location. To install a new power socket is relatively simple. Simply run a branch from an existing socket, or, if no socket exists, break into the main circuit to create a brand new circuit for the needed outlet.

Other times, an appliance will require a sub-surface connection. This is most common in the wet rooms of a house, including the kitchen, the bathrooms, and the laundry rooms. Anytime a socket needs to be kept dry when it is sure to get wet where it is, it is a good idea to create a sub-surface connection. To do this, you will need to install a fused connection unit. Like a new outlet, break into the main or run a branch from an existing outlet. Next, connect the fused connection unit to both the circuit and the outlet and secure the unit to the sub-surface location. The unit will function as a breaker between the outlet and the main circuit. These types of hook-ups are often found in bathrooms where a shaver outlet is required, or when one wants to install a permanent kitchen fixture such as an exhaust hood.

Whenever installing new appliances or fixtures, it is important to ensure the home’s electrical system can handle the amperage required by the appliance. Ovens tend to require fifty amps, electric dryers and water heaters require twenty to thirty amps, and microwaves, washers, and refrigerators fifteen to twenty amps. Appliances have different plugs depending on the amperage required, so there is no risk of hooking up an appliance to the wrong outlet. However, older homes often do not have sufficient capacity to run many new appliances. Also, when conducting your electrical work, be sure to use the right size wire gauge for the job. Wire gauges are bigger when the number is smaller. Fifty amp appliances will need six gauge wire, thirty amps will need ten gauge wire and all smaller appliances will usually use twelve gauge wire.

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