Avoid These 5 DIY Electrical Mistakes

I have made plenty of mistakes over the years and some of them on past videos where viewers were nice enough to point out my errors. I will run you through 5 mistakes I have made in hopes that you can avoid these same issues on you DIY electrical projects around the house.

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[_Ptat_]

I appreciate you being honest enough to admit your mistakes. Thanks man, it really helps to see what possible mistakes can be made.

[shubinternet]

People sharing their mistakes that they've learned is one of the things I like best about the channels I follow, and is one of the top reasons why I share those experiences more widely.

[paulcorso]

Thank you for your honesty. As an electrician myself, I find that we must always be our best critic. When dealing with the lethality of electricity, there can never be shortcuts that marginalize the job that make it unsafe. Again, great video!

[UP-thjk]

Your humility speaks volumes about your professionalism and concern for those you teach. Thank you!

[someoneelse]

The light fixture box for the light you added is just fine. The responsibility falls on the person that is going to add a fan.

[thecowboyjesse]

Brother, the fact that you did this video is just another reason to keep coming back. It takes a lot to admit we make mistakes. Good on you.

[lrc]

I think this is a good thing you are doing here. Sharing your mistakes helps us not make those mistakes. Since I have been watching your vids. I have learn a ton. Thanks much and keep it up!

[stephen]

Great info. As a DIY working with electricity I always follow the “measure twice cut once concept”. I double check the circuit with my multimeter before touching any wiring. Same with any firearm especially if I have laid it down after checking for a round in the chamber. I recheck the chamber again before cleaning or working on it. That avoids those “I thought the circuit was off” or “I thought it was unloaded” explanations.

[jimmikrut]

I'm a handyman and pretty electrical smart as I worked with an electrician, I still find ur videos very helpful and you turned me on to Wago, I love them, especially when putting wires together to just trace what they power

[boheeka]

Test, check, test.
When mixing stranded and solid in a wire nut, I find it's best to insert the stranded first. That way you make sure it doesn't get pushed down the solid by the threads inside the nut. Usually passes the pull test first try.

[JackGetz]

I think you are great and admitting mistakes as the springboard to helping others is called character. Well done. You always knock it out of the park with me.

[fzgtg]

Thanks for being a straight up guy, we have all made mistakes and all we can do is learn from them so as not to repeat them! Regarding electrical best practices I can’t stress enough to follow your instructions of testing before, during and after. I was in a hurry as a young machine tool electrician working long hours to prepare equipment for shipping to the UK. After running off the stations we had to remove the 480/120 volt transformers and replace them with the required 480/240 volt transformers. There were 10 stations to do and someone was working ahead of me removing the power drops but missed one and on my 6th R&R I didn’t check to make sure the circuit was deenergized and got bit. Luckily it was a very short exposure but scared the heck out of me and I was furious at my self for not checking!

[rustyhenderson]

Your correction on connecting a #14 wire to a #12 wire fed from a 20 amp breaker is still incorrect. Look at the NEC and you will find a 10 ft and 25 ft rule that may allow this connection to be made legally. I know that you may think that I'm splitting hairs, but this is legal as long as you follow the rules. I am a retired Master Electrician..

[leskavage]

I make 5 mistakes every time I attempt a new project. If I'm not making mistakes, I'm not trying hard enough! Kudos to you, bro, for going back and righting your "wrongs." I appreciate your videos and have learned a lot. Thank you.

[CarlGolden]

I am sorry for step #2 the box was fine for what you used it for. You can not future proof everything. If someone else wants to install a fan it's on them to upgrade the box.

[marksneedly]

My old farm house was wired more than a few times before I bought it, 12 and 14 g were mixed with reckless abandon. It has a recent, 20 yr old service box to update from nob and tube but they didn't think about gauge. All breakers were 20 amp. I went to all circuits with any 14 g and traded those lines out with 15 amp breakers. That's the best I can do without taking down walls. I hope I don't burn the place down.

[bp-obic]

Great info, as always!!

I work part-time in the electrical section of blue, and only have DIY knowledge. Your explanations help me coach the DIYer that just wants the light to come on, but doesn't know how to make it happen. Keep up the good work.

Also, when in doubt, consult a qualified electrician, not the guy in the electrical aisle of your local store.

[terrygoyan]

One thing to learn is when to walk away from a job. I started doing some electrical repairs for a local business. As I was connecting wires together, the insulation kept cracking further back (from the connection). The circuits had been over loaded for years, heating the conductors and breaking down the insulation. I finished the one box I was working on and told the owner that I couldn't do the rest of the job. That was 25 years ago and thank goodness there has been no problems there. Of course, in any building fires, electric is the first thing inspectors look at!

[stevethomas]

Tug Test we say in the UK. Wagos are very popular using them today installing lights.

[nickbruesch]

Much respect for making this video!!

It says a lot about an educator’s character when their focus is being CORRECT rather than being “right.”