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ZackW0525
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# Posted: 1 Aug 2016 20:28
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I'm having a power pole and a meter put in my cabin and will have power through the power company, but how do i save money and wire the cabin myself?
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old243
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# Posted: 1 Aug 2016 21:29
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There are probably reference books available. I am in Ontario, if you intend to put in your own service and wire it yourself . You will have to take a permit with your supply authority and have it inspected and passed at several stages . The service can be inspected and a connection order granted . You then need a n inspection once rough in is completed , before anything is covered up. This is then followed up by a final inspection when all work is completed.
I was an electrician for many years , I gave up my licence a couple of years ago. as I no longer did any wiring , and the red tape was almost impossible to cut.Good luck with your project old243
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Borrego
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# Posted: 1 Aug 2016 22:51
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You may hear this more than once on this forum, but if you've never wired a home it can be confusing and possibly risky. It might be wiser to hire a friend or local handyman to assist you. If the project is small, it will be easier, but with the power company involved you will have to go the permit/inspection route You may actually save money having someone else do it....just my .02
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 2 Aug 2016 08:29
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I agree with Borrego- there are so many details and possible things that can be done wrong- to properly answer your question- 'how do I wire the cabin myself' would take a very long time. Even a simple system needs the basic protection of conductors and grounding done correctly.
As Borrego said, the utility probably won't install a meter until the building department approves the system, which means you need a permit and inspections. If you have a helpful inspector, he may be willing to take the time to educate you, but that's not really his job and he may not have the time.
There are numerous books out there on how to do residential wiring. You could take a lot of time and study those carefully. But if you can afford it the best way to go is to hire a licensed electrician.
Hope this helps.
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sparky30_06
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# Posted: 2 Aug 2016 08:52
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As an electrician for 20 years to me it's simple and easy. The basics are easy. but electricity can be deadly. Fire is always a big concern. If one uses the wrong size wire to breaker, or doesn't ground things properly bad things can happen.
I'm not saying that you can't do it yourself but make sure you clearly understand what you are doing first.
If you really want to attempt to do this wiring project, I would recommend you hire a licensed electrician to set your service and panel. Depending on how big and complex your cabin is, with some assistance you can probably handle the outlets and lights yourself.
Electricity is like messing with a snake, know how to handle it and you won't get bit, to often.
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Cowracer
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# Posted: 2 Aug 2016 08:55 - Edited by: Cowracer
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At the risk of sounding flippant...
If you don't understand electricity well enough to explain how something like a GFCI works, then you have no business designing and wiring a cabin or house.
And I don't mean, "A GFCI opens the circuit when it detects a ground fault", but what exactly its looking for and the conditions that make it trip out.
Changing an outlet or a switch is one thing for a handyman, but ginning up an entire electrical system from scratch is something totally different. Your life is not worth the money you would save.
Tim
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 2 Aug 2016 14:11
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A lot of the work involved with an electric instal is the labor of drilling holes and pulling wire. A DIYer can do that, but they need direction with design. If you can find someone willing to work with you, they can design it, you instal it, they hook it up. But most electricians don't want you there getting in the way, they want to be left alone to work.
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Steve_S
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# Posted: 2 Aug 2016 14:54
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You can do your own electrical rough in here when you build but you need a permit & TSSA Electrical inspection with sign off before closing in the walls... Without any of those steps, you get no insurance, financing etc...
There are many books and guides which are good for a general understanding and concepts but as others have said, one goof up and it can be serious & fast.
I don't know where you are, but you may be able to find a copy of "Electrical Code Simplified, House Wiring Guide" or similar that cover's your State / Province / Territory. This discusses code requirements, rules & regs along with installation details down to how much slack to leave in lines and stapling requirements etc.
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