Residential Electrical (G01)

Electrical work is dangerous and heavily regulated – DIY mistakes cause fires, shocks, and code violations.

This BidScope guides you through residential electrical systems: service entrance and main panel (typically 200-amp for modern homes), branch circuits to outlets and fixtures, GFCI and AFCI protection for safety, grounding systems, and low-voltage systems.

Learn panel capacity: 100-amp service adequate for smaller homes without major electric loads, 200-amp standard for most modern homes, 400-amp for very large homes or extensive electric heating.

Understand circuit types: 15-amp circuits for general lighting and outlets, 20-amp for kitchen, bathrooms, and garage, 30-50 amp for large appliances (dryer, range, water heater), dedicated circuits for heavy loads.

Master safety devices: GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) required in wet locations (bathrooms, kitchens, outdoors, garages, unfinished basements), AFCI (arc fault circuit interrupter) required in most living areas to prevent fires from damaged wiring.

Navigate code requirements: outlet spacing (maximum 12 feet apart or 6 feet from any wall point), dedicated circuits for specific appliances, proper wire sizing by load, junction box accessibility.

Learn when service upgrades are needed: adding major loads (EV charger, hot tub, pool), panel full of breakers with no expansion room, aluminum wiring replacement, knob-and-tube or other obsolete wiring.

Understand permit requirements: always required for new circuits, panel changes, service upgrades.

Know emergency situations: burning smell, frequent tripping breakers, warm outlets or switches, flickering lights.

Calculate typical costs: outlet addition $100-250, circuit addition $200-500, panel upgrade $1,500-3,500, service upgrade $2,500-7,000+.

This tool ensures your electrical work is safe, code-compliant, and properly designed.

What’s Included:

• Residential electrical systems (service, panel, circuits, safety devices)
• Service entrance and main panel
• Service capacity (100-amp, 200-amp, 400-amp)
• 200-amp service standard for modern homes
• When to upgrade service capacity
• Main panel vs subpanel
• Circuit breaker panel vs fuse box (fuses obsolete)
• Branch circuit types (15-amp, 20-amp, 30-amp, 50-amp)
• 15-amp circuits for general lighting and outlets
• 20-amp circuits for kitchen, bathroom, garage
• Dedicated circuits for large appliances
• Multi-wire branch circuits
• Wire sizing by amperage (14-gauge for 15-amp, 12-gauge for 20-amp, 10-gauge for 30-amp)
• Copper vs aluminum wiring
• GFCI protection requirements (bathrooms, kitchens, outdoors, garages, basements)
• GFCI outlet vs GFCI breaker
• AFCI protection requirements (bedrooms, living areas)
• Combination AFCI breakers
• Grounding and bonding
• Grounding electrode system
• Outlet types (standard, GFCI, AFCI, USB, smart)
• Outlet spacing requirements (max 12 feet apart)
• Switch types (single-pole, 3-way, 4-way, dimmer, smart)
• Light fixture installation
• Ceiling fan wiring and support
• Kitchen electrical requirements (two 20-amp small appliance circuits)
• Bathroom electrical requirements (GFCI, dedicated circuits)
• Garage and outdoor circuits (GFCI protected)
• Code requirements (NEC, Utah amendments)
• Permit requirements (always for new work)
• When electrical inspection required
• Aluminum wiring concerns and remediation
• Knob-and-tube wiring replacement
• Service upgrade process
• Panel replacement and expansion
• Adding circuits and capacity
• Surge protection (whole-house, point-of-use)
• Smart home wiring considerations
• Troubleshooting (tripping breakers, dead outlets, flickering lights)
• Emergency situations (burning smell, warm outlets)
• Cost factors ($100-250 outlet, $200-500 circuit, $1,500-3,500 panel, $2,500-7,000+ service)
• Utah S-02 electrical license verification
• Finding qualified electricians