• Lance Burley | Burley Electrical
    South Florida Residential & Commercial Electrician
  • Lance Burley | Burley Electrical
    Master Electricians in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton & Pompano Beach
  • Lance Burley | Burley Electrical
    South Florida Residential & Commercial Electrician
  • Lance Burley | Burley Electrical
    Master Electricians in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton & Pompano Beach
  • Lance Burley | Burley Electrical
    South Florida Residential & Commercial Electrician
  • Lance Burley | Burley Electrical
    Master Electricians in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton & Pompano Beach
  • Lance Burley | Burley Electrical
    South Florida Residential & Commercial Electrician
  • Residential, Commercial & Industrial Lighting Specialists

Electrical Mistakes to Avoid in Dania Beach, FL; Failing to Use Junction Box, Cutting Wires Short & More

It’s easy to find how-to videos online on just about anything, but electrical ones can be dangerous. Especially for those that have no knowledge or experience doing it. When done incorrectly, it can lead to short circuits, electrocution, and even fires. Burley Electrical Services outlines some common electrical mistakes.

Failing to Use an Electrical Box

The biggest mistake a homeowner can make it to neglect using an electrical box. An electrical box is designed to protect all the electrical connections as it contains sparks or heat that can occur in the even of a short circuit. The cost of the box is minimal and required by code in most states.

Can You Put an Electrical Junction Box Behind Drywall?

Installation of a junction box doesn’t mean everything is safe. The box needs to be flush with the drywall and not recessed into the wall. If they are, you have combustible materials exposed to potential sparks. You can use a box extension to avoid any issues.

Cutting Electrical Wires Too Short

Wires need to be left long enough to give them some slack from the junction box. Do not cut them too short or you will have poor connections and create potential problems as far as safety goes. Leave wires long enough to strip adequately connect securely and fold over inside the box.

Overfilling a Junction Box

You create a dangerous situation when you cram too many wires into a box and it’s against code. The volume it can hold is stamped on the box. It not, you’ll have to multiply the height, width and depth to see if it will work for your project.

Can You Mix 10 & 12 Gauge Wire?

You can overload the box by mixing wires. Make sure you also use the right size of gauge wire for the amount of amps in the circuit. You can’t tell just by looking at the wire. The three most common gauge wires are 14 gauge that equals 15 amps, 12 gauge the equals 20 amps and 10 gauge that equals 30 amps.

Neglecting to Support a Receptacle or Switch

It is unsafe to have loose receptacles and switches because they will move around and can cause fires. Spacers need to be used to avoid this problem.

Not Protecting Electrical Cables

Any electrical cables that are within a home need to be covered according to code. Use a conduit to keep wires covered and protected. Conduits can be rigid metal or flexible and cost anywhere from .50 cents to $2 a linear foot.

Are GFCI Outlets Really Necessary?

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlets must be used in areas where water is present. These outlets are designed to cut power off to the outlet when water comes into contact with it to prevent electrocution.

Electrical Wiring, Fixture Installations & More in Pompano Beach, Imperial Point, Plantation, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, Davie, Lighthouse Point, Parkland & Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Electricity is a dangerous thing to play with and DIY projects can easily go wrong. What sometimes seem like a simple task, far too often it results in creating a bigger problem, not to mention a dangerous one. Don’t take the chance, when it comes to electrical work, your best bet is to hire a professional. Give Burley Electrical a call today!

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