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DIY Home Wiring Articles

Home Wiring Project E-books & Instructional DVDs

Wiring Diagrams

Consulting Services

SHOP for Electrical Materials, Tools and More
 

Wiring a Hot Tub
Build Your OWN Hot Tub
Wiring a Kitchen Stove
Wiring a Bathroom GFCI Outlet
Using a Digital Multi Meter
Wiring a Basement
Wiring a Back-up Generator

 

FREE Articles -
Learn HOW TO:

Wire a Light Switch
Wire a Receptacle
Wire a 3-Way Switch
Install a Ceiling Fan
Plan a Circuit
Replace a Breaker
Install a Subpanel
Wire a Doorbell

NEW! Wiring an Electric Floor Heating System

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Testimonials

Great help on a 3-Way wiring diagram from your website.  Much appreciated, as I have had the same 3 Way switch, non-operational, for over 5 years.. arghhh...I know it is a simple thing yet looking at both sets of wires and trying to imagine the wire runs was a bit aggravating but you made it simpler!

Kudos
Brian, Winnipeg
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Awesome. Thanx Terry. Cool site and extremely informative.

Johnny
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Thank you for the info on the three way switch you saved the day.

EDDIE B.  in MIssissippi
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Thank-you for your free video, it helped.

Bob
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What a great explanation!!  You have been so helpful.  Thanks so much.  I will hunt down that timer and give it a go.

Ken
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Your website is great.  I have it bookmarked and now visit frequently.  I have no previous electrical experience and your website helped me redo some wiring correctly and way easier than I thought it would be.

Thanks again.

Nicholas V
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Hi Terry,

I stumbled onto your website while doing a Google search for an electrical panel that's being installed in my new home that's currently being built.

Even though I've been doing my own electrical work for many years (I am not a contractor), I found your site to be a  valuable resource of information for all things electrical. Your site is much appreciated. Thank you.

 
Regards,
Mike A
Toronto, Canada

 

 

About the Internet Electrician

 

 

 

 

Terry Peterman, the “Internet Electrician”

 

 

A Little About My Background
My background in business began back in 1981 (18 years old) when I purchased the assets and operations from the company that I was working part time for:  “Canadian D.J. Services”, a mobile disc jockey service providing music and entertainment for all types of functions from school dances (rock & roll) to 50th wedding anniversaries (old time waltzes and polkas). 

The Start of My Electrical Career
I began my career as an electrician the Monday morning following graduating from high school with an electrical company in Edmonton Alberta, working in residential construction and stayed there for 8 months, riding out the end of the economic boom of the late 70’s.  It was then back home to Olds working where I could in everything from a farm hand, to oilfield maintenance and construction until I was able to get back in to the trade with a larger oilfield electrical contractor in the oil and gas industry as a maintenance and construction apprentice electrician. 

I completed my Journeyman certification and inter-provincial “Red Seal” accreditation in 1988, qualifying me to work as an electrician anywhere in Canada.  I continued to own and operate Canadian D.J. Services on evenings and weekends until selling the business in 1990.  I successfully challenged the first year exam for Instrumentation Mechanic and began the process of entering the corporate world with Shell Canada Ltd., at the newly constructed Caroline Gas Plant near Spruceview Alberta.  I was hired as a “Craftsmen 1” which is their term for a tradesman.  My role was technical and electrical support to an operations team, and was expected to learn plant operations and to operate a unit as part of the team.  I continued to pursue my Instrumentation Mechanic certification (achieved 4th year apprentice status), and also successfully challenged the 4th class Steam Engineer’s exam.    

In 1996 I accepted a voluntary buy-out package in a corporate downsizing effort and used that money to start up an agency for Autonet, an on-line used vehicle listing and selling venture.  I purchased the rights for the City of Airdrie Alberta, and started up business there until the concept ran out of momentum in early 1997.  It was then back in to the electrical trade as an employee until I gradually moved towards my own business as a sole proprietor.  It was around this time (1997) that an associate and myself got the idea for the website, and started www.electrical-online.com.  In the year 2000 my wife Sandy and myself established the corporation of Olds Electric & Lighting Ltd., and that brings us to where we are today.

About the Website
The website, electrical-online.com, is designed to share my knowledge and experience with the home handyperson, do-it-yourself type in performing small and medium sized home electrical repairs, renovations, or additions to existing home electrical systems.  One question and / or criticism that seems to come up quite often, and usually from fellow contractors or tradesman is:  “Why would you help someone do their own electrical work?  Isn’t that counter-productive to encouraging people to hire professionals, and furthermore, isn’t that a huge liability”?

Once I point out the facts to them, it usually ends the conversation rather quickly and effectively.

FACT:
In most areas of Canada and the United States, homeowners can legally work on their own electrical systems within their own dwelling to varying degrees of complexity, providing that they obtain a “Homeowners Electrical Permit”.  A surprisingly large number of municipalities do not even regulate electrical work, performed by a licensed electrical contractor or anyone else.

FACT:
People are doing their own renovations, additions and repairs, including the electrical work, in staggering numbers.   To ignore this fact would be denying the existence of the large section of most home improvement centres that are dedicated to electrical work (and plumbing, heating and air-conditioning to name a few).  These stores cater far more to the do-it-yourself home handyperson than they cater to licensed contractors, so that alone speaks volumes.  The electrical police would come after Home Depot long before arresting me I would venture to guess!

Now given this information, and understanding that I’m not doing anything illegal or immoral, I felt that there was a huge need to help with some well intended advice and assistance to help people do it correctly, to advise them of the requirements of the permit process (if one exists), and the need to comply with applicable electrical codes.  I always stress the ramifications of not respecting electricity, and stress the proper installation of the devices and systems.  When I encounter someone who clearly does not have the aptitude for such projects, I’m quick to recommend the hiring of a professional, and they are usually appreciative of the advice and take it to heart.

As far as the liability issue goes, I always attach legally drafted disclaimer statements and God willing, I hope to avoid any litigation over well-intended guidance.  There are pages on the Internet that will describe in detail how to make bombs and weapons of mass destruction.  I would hope that they would be targeted by litigation before myself, or any of my many other colleagues on the net who provide helpful advice on any subject that they feel qualified to assist with.

On a more personal note, I am happily married to my wife and business partner, Sandy, and have one son, Lyle (15) who is a great kid, and active in the amateur equestrian show jumping world.  Sandy and I own and operate Olds Electric & Lighting Ltd., and someday hope to support ourselves by managing and operating electrical-online.com.

Thank you for visiting, and I hope you find our site informative and helpful!

Terry Peterman, The Internet Electrician

CLICK HERE for Olds Electric & Lighting Ltd.

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The Basics of Household Wiring DVD

This excellent resource is designed to help you clearly understand electricity in your home, and demonstrates how to safely perform most simple electrical projects. 

The DVD is packed with valuable information! View clips.