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SubscribeNewsletterMagazine Archives

Electrical Codes

  • Q&A

    Rule Change for Kitchen Island Outlets

    The 2023 National Electric Code (NEC) has updated the rules for outlets on kitchen islands and peninsulas.

    3 MIN READ
    Hubbell TradeSelect polished chrome pop-up outlet
  • Q&A

    Wiring an EV Charger

    3 MIN READ
  • How To

    Acquiring Licenses in the Mechanical Trades

    3 MIN READ
  • Tools

    Paper Tools

    3 MIN READ
  • Q&A

    Installing Can Lights in an Eaves Soffit

    3 MIN READ
  • Business

    Keeper of the Codes

    2 MIN READ
    Code books were much smaller at the turn of the last century. This building code from Baltimore was a response to a fire that destroyed much of the city in 1904.
  • Deck Builder

    Code Requirements for Outdoor Kitchens

    4 MIN READ
    The gas pipe stub needs to extend high enough above the finished decking so that a minimum of 2 inches of unthreaded pipe is exposed. On a low deck like this, it is a good idea to paint the pipe prior to decking installation.
  • Q&A

    What's an Electrical 'Pigtail', and When Do You Need One?

    5 MIN READ
    A pigtail is a short length  of conductor that is added  to a junction to connect to a  device (such as a switch or  receptacle). The alternative  would be to attach the  conductors directly to the  device. With the pigtail  connection, the circuit would  not be interrupted if the  device failed or was removed.
  • Electrical

    Ceiling Can Rough-In

    5 MIN READ
    The author twists the green ground from the fixture with the bare conductor of the switch leg.
  • Remodeling

    Move to Stamp Out ‘Ghost Permits’ Tests Capital’s Remodelers

    Placeholder Image
  • Remodeling

    DC’s Move to Stamp Out ‘Ghost Permits’ Tests Capital’s Remodelers

    3 MIN READ
    Building inspector
  • How To

    Better Rough-In Wiring

    3 MIN READ
  • Q&A

    Which End Up For Receptacles?

    2 MIN READ
  • How To

    Wire Receptacles and Switches Like a Pro

    9 MIN READ
  • FIELD GUIDE SAMPLE

    Dead-End Single Pole Switches

    When a switch is placed after a fixture in a single-pole scenario, the updated code calls for a dedicated neutral conductor in the switch box. A three-conductor cable between the fixture and the switch makes this possible, with the neutral conductor capped off in the switch box for future use.
  • FIELD GUIDE SAMPLE

    Wiring a Three-Way Switch

    In the three-way switch scenario shown above, the fixture is placed between the switches. As before, a three-conductor cable joins the first switch and the fixture, but now a four-conductor cable runs from the fixture to the second switch. The capped off neutral is available in the second switch box should it be needed in the future for a device that demands more complex wiring.
  • How To

    Update: Drawer for Hair Dryer

    7 MIN READ
  • Coastal Contractor News

    After Debate, Alabama Retains Arc-Fault Requirement for New Houses

    1 MIN READ
    Placeholder Image
  • Q&A

    Pigtails for Switches?

    1 MIN READ
    Placeholder Image
  • Q&A

    Sizing Electrical Boxes

    2 MIN READ
    Placeholder Image

Trending

  • Tools

    Laser Levels

    9 MIN READ
  • Backfill

    Why Do We Say Joists and Rafters?

    3 MIN READ
  • JLC Case Study

    Introducing Attainable Zero: A JLC Case-Study Home

    6 MIN READ
Editorial Cover

Digital Edition 2025

Only JLC subscribers have access to content from the May/June issue of JLC at this time. Articles will be posted online soon. In the meantime, feel free to browse the digital edition.

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