Learning electrical work ...

[dpb]

On Jan 13, 2:02=A0pm, DerbyDad03 wrote: ...

Yep... :)

Of course, the other time-tested way is to find some coworker or other friend or acquaintance that does have some diy'er experience and offer to buy a few beers and a burger (or whatever floats the particular boat) and get them over for an afternoon or a weekend...

That works pretty well particularly if the OP has some other skill set that has some bartering power.

When first out of school and at first job there were about a dozen of us who did everything from the single room update to contracting/ building a couple of full houses and about all steps in between as a cooperative effort since we were all young and mostly broke...that migrated into the longer term sidelight work a three of us did that I've referred to here previously of the restoration/rehab of the antebellum residences in the older city neighborhood that was being reclaimed by the young professionals at the time.

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[Jimw]

Get some books from the library. One can learn on their own if they study. Track lighting is not all that hard. The box should tell you how to mount the fixture itself. All you need is a source of power at the desired location, which means installing a box, some romex to the box, and likely a switch near a door. Get some books on basic wiring.

Note: You can buy track lighting that screws to the ceiling, and has a plug in cord with a switch on the cord itself. Then there is no actual wiring, just screw the fixture in place using the included instructions, and plug it into an outlet. You'll probably want to attach the cord to a few clamps of some sort so it dont hang in your face. All you really need is a screwdriver to do this.

[rchrdprss]

If you live in the south bay look at Approved Electrician Apprenticeship degree at San Jose City Collage.

[Kedar Mhaswade]

Thanks, I will check this out. Looks promising and I can really do San Jose. I live in the South Bay.

Regards, Kedar

[Kedar Mhaswade]

I guess so, but all I need is courage. I actually got the Basic Wiring book by Popular Mechanics from the Santa Clara library. It is a good book indeed.

But, one of the first things they say is about "permit" and voiding the insurance of the house if any mishap "can be linked to faulty wiring you've made". Now, I know I should not be worrying about this, but should I really not worry about this?

I "fully understand" dpb's advice that at some point, I have to make my hands dirty. But I should make them dirty the right way, I believe. That's why I think I will do the SJ university course for electrician first.

Yes, call me a rather timid fellow :)

Regards, Kedar

[Kedar Mhaswade]

OP is original person, I guess. If yes, that's me. And yes, you guys are right. I so dearly wish I had been in the same boat -- fresh out of college and doing experiments on my own, for survival. Somehow, I got engaged into Engineering and Programming. That does make me really happy, but I miss these DIY experiences. But I am willing to learn now and have slight glimmer of hope. I guess it is better to leave "something to be longing for".

Speaking of bartering -- yes, I can teach someone programming for two things -- basic electrical and basic woodworking -- one step at a time :)

Regards, Kedar

[RonABC]

I have the same Black&Decker book and it is very helpful. I bought it about a year ago and was reading through it to get general information about rewiring a house, how to plan and do the various circuits, etc. I dragged it out again this week because a freind of mine is helping me do a lot of rewiring of an old house that I own (Actually, I'm helping him, since he knows most of what to do.) Seeing him do the work, and doing it along with him, has helped a lot. Then, I checked the book and it gave me even more information about what should go where etc. In the center of the book, there are two pages of "Common Electrical Code Requirements". One page is broken down "By Room" and tells what the ususal requirements are for Kitchens/Dining Rooms, Bathrrooms, Utiliy/Laundry Rooms, etc. The other page is broken down "By Material" such as Service Panel, Electrical Boxes, Wires and Cables, Switches, Receptacles, etc. Plus the book has tons of full color photos showing how and where to drill holes to run wires, how to wire various circuits, etc.