9 Common Wiring Mistakes and Code Violations

Some are illegal, some are dangerous, and some are both—but all are simple to avoid

Many brave homeowners take on electrical work in the course of everyday household maintenance, but it is all too easy to make a code-violating error that could bring on both minor and major problems. Electrical contractor Joseph Fratello outlines nine of the most common wiring mistakes and code violations, and the way to approach the work properly and do it right. Among the common errors: damaging the jacket of non-metallic sheathed cable; mixing line- and low-voltage wires; not using a splice box when installing a new light fixture; overcrowding holes with too many wires; and putting HVAC ducts too close to carbon-monoxide and smoke detectors. Joseph stresses the importance of learning about both the National Electrical Code and also the local variations to the electrical code.