Did you enjoy making the Residential Wiring Model Part 1 and Part 2? Try Part 3, where you will be adding another parallel circuit with a light (or motor) to the central junction box.
Check out our Tool Tutorials for more instruction on how to use wire strippers and Linesman’s pliers, key tools used by electricians on the job.
Explore Related Trades Careers: Construction Electrician, Industrial Electrician, Marine Service Technician
Check out our Tool Tutorials for more instruction on how to use wire strippers and Linesman’s pliers, key tools used by electricians on the job.
Explore Related Trades Careers: Construction Electrician, Industrial Electrician, Marine Service Technician
Tools & Materials
Material List
- one complete Residential Wiring Model Part 2 board
- one single gang box (metal) (aka switch box)
- two+ 8x5/8" screws
- two BX connectors
- ~18" 18/2 thermostat wire (brown jacket, two wires inside)
- one single pole toggle or Decora switch (with screws)
- four+ small wire connector caps (eg, orange Marettes)
- one incandescent holiday light with minimum 3" wires attached (or another motor as in part 2)
- faceplate to match the switch
Optional
Tool list
- Linesman's pliers
- wire strippers
- utility knife
- multi screwdriver
- measuring tape
- cordless drill
- driver bits that match screw heads
- scrap wood to protect work surface
Optional
Procedure
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If you have them, add a faceplate to each switch.
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Be sure to unclip the alligator clips from the battery whenever your model is not in use, or when you plan to transport it.
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Check that all your splices are tightly twisted and capped. Use a multimeter to check the voltage of your 9V.
Test your circuit
Troubleshooting
Extension Challenges
- Try wiring in a dimmer or spring wound timer into your single gang boxes instead of light switches.
- Experiment with wiring in other electrical objects where the motor and lights are. Try wiring in a signal light for a car or trailer. What about a 9V smoke alarm? Try a string of LEDs (make sure you look up resistance before you go ahead with this, as if you use too much voltage, you can burn out the LED bulbs).
- Ask an electrician if you can watch them wire up a switch in a house. You might see some similar tools and skills that you learned in this project series, as well as learn some new things! For example, residential wire has THREE internal wires inside the jacket, not just two. Ask the electrician to tell you about what a “ground” wire does.