DO YOU NEED A SERVICE LOOP FOR RESIDENTIAL WIRING?

Leaving extra wire at a box

I am an electrician with over 30 years experience in Residential, Commercial, and industrial electrical. This channel is designed for the Homeowner, DIY'ER, or the apprentice. we cover basic code, pipe bending, wire pulling and especially TIPS AND TRICKS that you may not know. These tricks make life easier when installing you electrical in walls or attics or just fun things to know.

[m.c.c]

I appreciate the electrician giving me those extra conductors. Speaking as a homeowner.

[andysims]

The reason he’s done it, is because he’s a professional

[DavidEstey-wd]

I find leaving some slack outside of the box is acceptable especially when the Sheetrock guys cut your wires. Saves your butt. I’m sure it’s happed to all of us. Keep up the video. Like watching. 😊

[Michael-otpk]

For an electrician to ask the question as to why you need a service loop outside of a box tells me that they have never done anything but new construction. The reasons are endless

[RedactLluks]

When you rip out a perfect beautiful kitchen and change it because of some woman's dream kitchen/bathroom/whatever... You do this, because they are an indecisive person and this will help future indecisive action.

[JoshuaGoin-opob]

That is for when people work on it in the future, some time wires get cut, so now if you ever need to pull a little bit more wire you got it.

[aschu]

I just looked at a job where a service water in it and corroded the main lug at the meter and the panel. There is absolutely no slack whatsoever. I can’t even get an inch out of it in the panel. That now means I have to either cut the power at the weather head or call for a shut down and replace the feeder wire.

It’s always nice when renovating, troubleshooting or needing to move something to find a little extra slack. I mean have you ever tried to move or deal with an old AC box with power coming in from both sides of the box? Some extra slack in a wire can be a life saver

[geraldnorieko]

Years ago, wires had aluminum and copper in the wires, so when you would over load the outlet and trip the Circuit breaker, the wires would shink after it kept on doing that it would come out of the box and start a fire. and a few houses went up in flames . That is why you put extra wire for

[roderick]

It's a "service loop" for service electricians. Over time wires will be cut in the box for various reasons until you are left with just enough wire to get your fingers on. With a service loop the electrician will be able pull some extra life into that old box and save the homeowner hundreds of dollars to run a new circuit. With the amount these guys left they doubled or tripled the life of each of those outlets.

[loganhawkins]

Service loops are great when the sheet rocker comes in and roto zips all your wires in your box👍

[bryanhFBH]

Why not? In my house, on a recent project, that extra would have saved the day.

[MrIigmac]

Its in the code book. Wiring methods. Ever seen a microwave need moved because GC changed the cabinet layout with out a proper rfi. Easy money. Or hard money. You pick.

[headhunter]

If you're a really wondering why? Then just think foward into the future.. as in upgrades and remodels..

[KevinB-vbig]

So if they change the location of the boxe you will have slack to move without pulling a whole new run ?

[jerrypartin]

30 40 50 years from now may need it. Try thinking about the future 30 40 50 years from now. You won't be around to find out but some electrician will be thankful that you did.

[jimmyg]

U don’t want to hear that electron hammer when someone shuts off a switch. Gives those electrons a place to jiggle. 😂

[Youtuber]

Have you ever had to replace a device with already short leads?

[Strider]

Someone's never done remodels or service work before.

[MarkyMark_Canada]

In Canada, you have to leave a little bit for service at the box. It certainly makes it easier if you have to make a junction or fishing to new location in the future. I had

[ADefecatingBum]

Code allows up to 18 inches. I leave at least 8 inches at every box with every wire. The customers with custom 6000+ square foot houses are generally changing things all the way into finish. Everyone appreciates how many times that I can say yes along the way. The first change order pays for every bit of that extra wire in the house, and then some.