Mike Holt Enterprises Electrical News Source

Some History of Residential Wiring Practices in the US

Electrical History may not be everybody's passion, but when we come across a good read, we like to share it in the hope that it will be of interest to you as well.

This report was written by David A. Dini, P.E. and is entitled, Some History of Electrical Wiring Practices in the U.S. published by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

Abstract :
On December 31, 1879, Thomas Edison exhibited his newly invented electric lighting in a few houses along a residential neighborhood in Menlo Park, New Jersey. That New Year’s Eve night proved to be not only historical in terms of its significance to American ingenuity and invention, but it also signified the beginnings of residential electrification in the United States. Although originally available to only the wealthiest of families, by the turn of the century electricity in the home was becoming a reality for more and more people. This paper traces the history of some residential wiring practices from the early days of electricity into the 21st century. Wire and cable systems, overcurrent protection, raceways and boxes, wire splices and terminations, wiring devices, grounding, polarity and special protection devices are presented from the historical perspective of time, necessity, and technology. The influence of Code1 requirements and common trade practices are also presented.

Enjoy the read, and let us know your thoughts by posting a comment!

Comments
  • That was very interesting and it gave me a better understanding of many things in the electrical trade. It would be really neat if someone would do the same thing for electrical safety. You did something like this at one of your conferences where you showed first aid techniques from the civil war to emphasise how things change over time.,,,

    Mike Holt Enterprises has been a great help to me over the years, and I can't imagine where we would be without it.

    Anyway. Thanks again.

    Lawton Segler  December 20 2018, 8:01 pm EST

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