Oh man this one hits close to home. I was a plumber for like 16 years and then did general construction work. A little framing, a little drywall, a little roofing, a very little finish carpentry. But the only thing I have never done is electrical. It scares me. Like you said you might have ugly walls or crooked framing and I'm a real good swimmer so floods don't scare me! 😂 So I bought this house and my wife wanted me to change out all of the ugly old almond colored plugs for those cool white square ones. So I buy a case of the plugs and paddle switches at the electrical supply place and I'm real careful. If I open up a plug and it looks complicated I grab my phone and I take a picture of the wires before I take them all off the old plug. Everything is going great and I come to the GFCI plugs under the kitchen cabinets. They are funky but I take a pic of each one and I get the whole thing wired back up and it looks great. I go down to the basement and flip the breaker for that one circuit and I have never seen so many sparks and a small explosion right there at the panel and then everything goes out. So now I know I'm in trouble so I call my bro-in-law who is a master electrician. He comes over and I show him what I did and he asks to see the old plug. Then he points out that there is a little metal tab on the plugs that do something or other and if the tab is broken then the circuit does something else ... he says on my old plug the tab is broken and the one I installed the tab is in place and somehow I have wired a perfect short circuit and I blew the main fuse breaker on the panel. So he needs to go outside and clip the safety seal on the glass dome with the spinny meter thing and he pulls that thing off like a giant switch and now my house is disconnected from the grid. Then he has to replace the main fuse breaker which costs like $100 ... then he fixes my short circuit and then he plugs my house back in. Later my electrical service tears me a new butthole for disconnecting the house ... apparently that is illegal even if you are a master electrician if you haven't asked permission and so they fined me and charged me to come out and put another security seal on the thing. Another thing to note they don't think it is funny when you say "Well that seal shouldn't be so easy to break!!" So all this to say HIRE AN ELECTRICIAN!! And thus ends my TED Talk! 🤣🤣🤣

Non contact voltage testers, aka “ticker testers” are a great tool but always test yours on a known live circuit before using it on the circuit you want to work on. This ensures your tester is working properly, as an electrical distributor for 25 years, I can tell you we have had our share of recalls and defectives across many brands of these testers. Be sure, be safe.

I am a certified red sealed journeyman electrician since 1982 in the good province of British Columbia, and after doing massive amounts of repair and renovation work going behind homeowners I strongly suggest that even the most simple electrical jobs should not be done by the homeowner. I don't know how many times homeowners have told me I don't need to do that when told the correct way to do a job. I really enjoy your channel, homeowners do not have a clue what they are doing. What I call voltics are extremely dangerous . They give all kinds of false readings and work on induction. The only way to properly ensure a circuit is dead is using a meter.

I like the sarcasm in your voice about enjoying those little copper wires crapping up your hands 😂

"it's got the Robertson that you use a lot" Spoken like a true Canadian

I learned a new term from this video - “Marrette.” I never heard that before here in the US, but looked it up and now I know.

4:04 No No No No. Line up the sleeves and then twist with linesman's to make the bond. Then trim the excess, THEN cover with the wire nut. Yes I'm licensed. The wire nut shouldn't be used to make the bond. The twists will do that.

I'm pretty sure the reason for not putting an outlet on a dimmer is because someone might plug something other than a lamp into it. Some things will overheat if they're run at a lower voltage, like what a dimmer put out.

I know you were joking at the beginning but I appreciate that you have the personal morals to acknowledge that your not qualified to teach something. Nothing drives me nuts more than these diy channels who install tile once and then have the nerve to post a how to. Or even worse takes two scraps of crown molding makes some sample cuts, never actually put up any crown and then claim it’s so easy. Sorry for the long post rant over.

You were rite about wetting your brush. I learned that from you, doubted it. Now my paint washes out of the bristles faster and the paint has a better flow. Thx V.C!

Amusingly, about an hour ago I had an Amazon request to answer a customer's question about those same Klein Lineman Pliers... I used mine today but never expected to be inundated with them this evening! BTW, I was taught to twist the wires together before putting on the wire nut. That is, make a mechanical connection that is then secured by the nut. However, I found out later that it depends on the wire nut. Some are designed such that you aren't supposed to twist the wires first. Moral of the story is read the installation instructions for the nuts you are using.

I was literally saying this to a plumber I had come out to replace the the shower cartridge (hard water corrosion after 30 years was bad!). You videos have been amazing at teaching me the best ways to fix my walls but if I screw that up I know I just have an eye sore for a wall. I don’t fully trust myself with electrical and plumbing and the bad outcome is way worse if I screw either of those up! Worth it to me to pay the money and have it done right!

This video was awesome! I am redoing my house. For the carpentry and the plaster,I went to you and a couple other construction tutorials For the plumbing, I took a course For the electrical work, I am getting my degree 😝

And don't forget to add strike plates over the studs that will contain wires passing through the studs--you drywallers know about that! I still love how you call an electrician a sparky.

I do my own electrical. If you are not 100% sure how the system fuctions, don’t mess with it! For example, Disconnecting a neutral on a multi wire branch circuit can blow stuff up. Another common mistake is when you have 2 circuits in a double or triple J box, and you are cross connecting wires. No no. Trace all your wires first

Before going in the service my brother was an electrician. My favorite quote from him is, “There is a special place in hell for a short pull electrician”.

"I have no idea why", sounds like "I have no DIY" - when in reality you have tons of DIY, awesome vid as usual, thanks for the tips 👍

I honestly appreciate your humbleness on the matter.

He connected the black and white wire to show how wire nuts work, if you do that on a live circuit it will cause a short. The basics of electricity and how circuits work are very simple. You just need to get over the fear of potentially dying lol.

This is absurd! 😡 I'm barely 1 minute and 39 seconds into the video, and this guy is Already selling me something I don't even need! I've been doing electrical since I came ou the womb, and I've NEVER in my life used a Circuit Tester. All you have to do to check if the power is still on, is use your finger, and touch the big metal screws sticking out the side of the outlet. OH, and make sure your finger is wet while your at it so you can double quadriple make sure that the power is off. Hats off and best of luck! P.S Don't try this at home. P.P.S Love your videos Ben 🤣🤣👍

We always pre twist stripped conductors with linesman pliers. I prefer the pliers with the "cross hatched" jaws, they grip the wire better when twisting. Gently pull the pliers away while twisting in the same directing you will screw on the wire nut (clockwise). That will pull the joint tightly together and give you a great twist, contact which is exactly what you want. Nip the end of the joint so all wires are even and no copper protrudes outside the nut . You can't rely on a wire nut to properly twist the wires together even though it seems tight. Thanks and great video 👍👌 I think everyone should have a basic idea of how home circuits work, what kind of trouble you can run into and if you don't know, can an electrician asap!

As a homeowner when you go to The Big box store to buy your plugs do not buy the cheapest ones understand what you are changing now some are 15 or 20 amp circuits understand what you are buying before you install something that could burn down your house I am no electrician but understanding things is where I'm coming from Jack of all trades never mastered one

Good video I’ve also have done basic electrical as well and after many problems going too deep with a utility knife and causing problems I got a romex stripper,then use your side cutter to remove the excess, thank you very much.

I also love this other tester tool, which you can plug into the outlet, and it will tell you if it is wired correctly (ground is missing, hot and neutral is reversed, etc…). I had a couple of outlet which were working, but the ground was missing, snd I would’ve never knew about that. And it was easy to fix. It came in a set with the tester shown in the video, along with a multimeter, which is not essential, but useful too.

Every tip is worth the view. I didn't know about lining up the sleeves or the voltage detector picking up different signals because of twists in the wire. Thanks!

It's easy to cut into the wire insulation when cutting the sleeve away. Setting a retractable knife to a shallow cut and of course just aiming between the wires are your best bet. If you practice you'll get good enough to whip the blade around the outside of the sleeve and not even nick the contents, but you typically walk a long road of sliced-through wire insulation to get there.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. I really enjoy your videos.

Thank You Ben..Keep up the good work..

I absolutely love my 10/11 in one screwdrivers. They are always in my bag.

Use a cable ripper instead of a utility knife to cut through the outside sheath.

Love the channel keep them videos coming

Great video. I found a slightly more expensive tool for seeing if the outlet is "live". I typically am working alone. The Circuit Breaker Tester--about $25 CAD-- has you plug a transmitter into the outlet in question. The transmitter sends a signal through the circuit to your circuit breaker panel where you get a "beep" with when hovering over the correct breaker with the receiver.

Klein makes a stripper, the K1412, that has Romex strippers for 14 and 12 gauge wires. Much cleaner than a knife, and fast. That particular tool also has bolt cutters for 6-32 and 8-32, the two most used sizes in electrical, that you screw the bolt in, cut, and screw out, which chases the threads.

I love watching your videos! They’re extremely educational! Thanks a million! (Oh, now I’m going to see my insurance man about my coverage for a home fire)! 😜

If you think wiring is easy, don’t do it, but learn about it first. Once you studied it, and start to realize it is more complicated that you thought, then you can start doing some simpler tasks.

I use my lineman pliers for tying rebar. I have some needle nose pliers that have wire strippers in the middle,and regular plier jaws below the needle nose, and a file on the outside edge of the jaws. I don't have to pack as many tools now

Cutting the outer wire sleeve can accidentally slice the insulation of the individual wires. That should be kept in mind. I have hired electricians but also found great books for risky homeowners to try it themselves. I've added outlets and installed junction boxes to get electricity from outlets to wire kitchen island outlets. I made sure always to be sure what I'm doing. But as you said so very helpfully, just because the circuit to an outlet is off does not mean there is no power to the outlet from some where else. That fact baffled me for some time in a bathroom remodel (that you helped me with on my drywall questions to you). I had to turn off more than the bathroom circuits. I agree that homeowners can do more than they think if they read up on it and take the precautions you mention.

I'm an expert at doing electrical work while the power is on ;) But seriously I'm much happier doing electrical work than plumbing. The electrons never leak out of the wires when I'm done. But three way switches? That's just evil. My brain can't handle that. Husky makes the same kind of screwdriver. I have about 20. I get tired of looking for them so every time I'm at Home Depot if I see them on display I buy a few. Also the bits can easily be removed and put in a drill. That's the other reason why I need so many, for the drills. I don't like using a knife to cut the plastic over the wires. Too risky. Just make a cut between the wires with a wire cutter and pull the two ends apart. And I can never find the wire stripper. I have gotten adept at just using the wire cutter and not cutting too deep, basically apply pressure to separate the plastic without cutting the wire, then rotate around the wire until the plastic is cut or weak enough to pull off.

Klein makes 2 different Hybrid pliers with either needle nose or linesman tips... both have wire strippers & wire cutters... costs about $45 each... totally worth getting instead of having multiple tools...IMO Models J207-8CR J215-8CR

I was a sparky for 10 years way back when. With all the new codes, rules & equipment, I’d have to go back & requalify. I still call a qualified sparky today if I’m doing any major electrical. DO NOT takes chances on your own. SAFETY FIRST !!

I have linesmen pliers but hardly use them. The only thing I use linesmen pliers for is twisting 3 or more wires together before the wire nut goes on. I use typically my needle nose and my side cutters way more often.

I guess we all get trained different, I was taught it was better to leave your solids a little long, because after you line up your insulation and twisting your wires, you trim the end so all wires are flush and you get a good wire nut connection. Also, I can’t use multi-tool screwdrivers, the whole point is so I don’t have to carry all those drivers in my bag, but working commercial I end up beating on it like it’s a flat head chisel and I destroy it.

I use regular pliers to add a final twist to those wire nuts since my fingers aren't all that strong.

I've never heard that term for wire nuts! Needlenose pliers are good for creating and tightning a loop in the wire around a screw like is found on a receptacle.

I have found when using wire strippers to cut the wire insulation on an angle. While still clamping down, straighten out the strippers. It gets rid of the need for the wiggle and gives a nice cut. I hope this was worded in a way that makes sense.

​ @Vancouver Carpenter do you ever do any work in the states-NY area? I am going to need some dry wall work on a new extension. Might make for an interesting video, the vancover carperter in NY. 🤔show differences. Big fan of your channel and I don't even do mud work.

Electrician here: Never trust a non contact tester to tell you if something is safe. Buy the kind of tester with two leads and some light bulbs like the Klein ET45. They are less than $15. When using it; check something known to be live, then check what is supposed to be dead, finally check the known live again. That's called a LDL or Live Dead Live test. Be safe everyone!

Mr. Dever, my H.S. shop teacher, stripped 8- and 10-gauge wire using ONLY his thumbnail. Could probably strip the flesh off my thumb in a thumb-wrestle if he wanted to. Good teacher though!

don't wiggle back and forth when stripping the jacket off the copper. you can nick and weaken the copper lowering the flow potential and risk partial sheer when you twist the nut on. I disagree with the box cutter knife. I would recommend a stripper for the outer plastic cover. It really does make it easier.. using knives can nick the copper wire jackets.

The single most important thing to know about electricity is......it's real fast!!! And you'll NEVER be faster than it is, no matter how quickly you draw your finger away from something after giving it the "I'll just touch it real quick to see if it's live" test.

2:32 That's a weird name for a hammer

5:02 I thought you said the tool was in the house, not the couch. Weird, but maybe Ben was onto something. nah... listen to that again;)

I'm electrical by background but not an electrician. I think you picked the better trade. Interesting salery wise how it compares. In UK your screwdrivers should have insulated shafts for professionals (but your video is for DIY). The knife is essential but please take it out your hand before pulling the insulation. I'd buy a multimeter when you have the cash. I think you should learn a bit more electrics, for background and interest (not for doing - leave it to the strong hand guys). Think you could understand a 2 way light switch no probs. In the UK non qualified are not allowed to work on sockets, but we have ring mains (WW2 hangover to save on copper after the war). I noticed your sockets appeared chained. The twist joiners would be better crimped - don't think amateurs should go near those (Anybody use WAGO cage clamp terminals in Canada? - ask the next pro you see - don't need silly hand strength for WAGO - even I could do). Thanks for the video and sensible take on the safety.

As a sparky I completely disagree with the circuit tester. They are actually banned most industrial sites in Australia because they are not accurate and don't pick up things like dodgy neutrals. I would always recommend a proper multi meter instead. Also completely disagree with the choice in screwdriver lol. Also banned all sites in Australia, you have to use insulated. I have worked in Canada and the states and to be honest the electrical work scares me there haha.

I foresee a future long strip of drywall patch video soon!🤔

This should be on the Vancouver Plumber channel. I'm reporting this to KZfaq for violation of their community guidelines on misinformation. 😐

There are three lights. _There are FOUR lights!_

At 2:15 - If there's more than a black, a white, and a ground wire in that outlet. it's beyond me... EXACTLY - Wiring in Parallel. Think about it.

whenever i voltage test a wire, i always spin the tip around 360 cause you never know which side the hot wire is on, that goes for all wires

Hey Ben, I know enough not to get that shock that knocks you on your butt! I call the Pro...

I changed my bathroom exhaust fan, when I went to change to the new outlet I opened the 3 gang panel to see they only used black wire for the switches piggy backed off the outlet. I called an electrician buddy who came and sorted it out, he left me the the same continuity tester you show for the #1 tool and basically said the same thing you did. Even though the light shut off with the breaker being flipped, check the wires still because they could be live.

👍👍

I feel like you ran the line right behind those sheetrock screws just to trigger people. 😅

a dimmer connected to a wall outlet? never heard of that one ulness you are referrering to a switched outlet like old ladies use to plug in their brass lamps next to the couch with the wall switch by the upright piano across the room

DUDE! who’s gonna do that drywall repair now???

woooowwww shots shooted at youtubers XD

Don’t u have a skateboard channel as well?

Another "Online-Electrician-Expert" here ... You might want to invest in screwdriver that has a plastic cover along the business-end so that only the tip is exposed. Just in case you made a mistake and hold the screw driver with both hands, one of them holding it steady on the screw.

Sorry to be harsh but i can't see any value in this video. I too can make video on essential tools to do anything but how is that helpful? ''Did you know that to make bread you need an oven, this list of ingredients and an oven safe recipient? But be advised, I don't know how to make bread. Okay well see you in the next video!''

Man, you look so awkward working with that wire. I am not an actual electrician, but I have helped my best friend who is, on so many side jobs over 30 years. I know enough to do the basic wiring, but I make him do all the connections in the panel. I know how to do it, I just don't want to. And yeah, one of the hardest things to learn at first was to pull plenty of extra wire. It was hard to do when I rewired my house, with how expensive wire is anymore. But it makes the work so much easier if you aren't trying to do it right against the wall.

😎⚡😎⚡😎⚡😎

I wonder if you can hire an electrician to watch you do the work, just for the experience? I'm gonna have to ask a sparky next time I see one

Is dying expensive? Who knew!

I have completely rewired a home in the past, including the new breaker box. I have wired in ovens with copper to aluminum. I have fixed wiring in a local charity. And I'm not an electrician. I'm a doctor. But I can read. I also do drywall and plumbing. I love working on things that do what you tell them to do. That often doesn't happen in my practice. And c'mon, you can't do 3 way switches? Sure you can.

Circuit tester aka “chicken stick”

3 Essential Tools for DIY Electrical Work! Names 8...