To become a fully licensed journeyman electrician, it takes about 4 years.
During an apprenticeship, electricians undergo rigorous training to ensure they can perform electrical work safely and effectively. Without that depth of training, DIY electric work can be dangerous.
If you’re considering DIY electrical projects around the house, you should understand the potential safety hazards. But before that, you should know whether or not you’re even permitted to do so or in other words, are you eligible to become an electrician by yourself.
Don’t take out your toolbox until you know the answer to both those questions.
Is DIY Electric Work Permitted?
In many places around the US, DIY electric work is permitted. That is, as long as you are the owner-occupant of the home in which you’re doing the work.
In some places, DIY electric projects require a temporary license. These rules vary from state to state and between municipalities. It’s important you contact your local regulating body before performing any work yourself. Visit https://www.ph-el.dk
Is DIY Electric Work Safe?
Electrical work is dangerous work, which is why electricians require extensive training. When you perform your own electrical work, you run the risk of the following:
- Installing a fuse that’s the wrong size, which impacts the effectiveness and could be a fire hazard if the fuse can’t break the circuit.
- Using the incorrect size of wire in a circuit, which can cause the wire to overheat or short out, causing a fire hazard.
- Cutting wire to the wrong length, which makes connections dangerous.
- Stripping wires too much, which leaves them exposed in the electrical box and can lead to more serious problems.
- Incorrectly installing hot and neutral wires in an outlet, which is difficult to detect but can lead to serious electrical shock.
- Poor installation of three-slot outlets, which violates code and can cause a deadly shock.
For these reasons, we highly suggest calling a residential electrician to do electrical work in your home.
Having DIY Electrical Inspected
If you do decide to take on DIY electrical projects in your home, then you should have it inspected immediately after completion. Indeed, some permits will require that your work be inspected in order for it to be approved. The inspector will look for code violations and approve your electrical system if it’s been done correctly.
Inspectors look at everything from how neat the DIY electrical wiring is to how you’ve wired switches. They’ll also check junction boxes and your main electrical panel. If your work isn’t up to code, you’ll have to go through the process until it’s correct and meets safety standards.
Home Improvements You Can DIY
Electrical work requires the knowledge and expertise of a professional electrician. That’s because DIY electric work can be dangerous. And beyond the potential for danger, electrical work often requires permits and inspections that can be difficult to pass if you’re not 100% sure of what you’re doing.
But for home improvements that are within your grasp, we have all the advice and tips you need. Be sure to check out or Tools & Home Improvement section for more.
