It starts with a mysterious scraping inside the wall. A clatter in the attic. The strange rattle of tiny feet.

These are the sounds of a squirrel infestation.

With temperatures dropping in Alberta,the rodents will try to takerefuge in homes returning to stockpiles of nuts and seeds they've foraged over the summer.

Chewing their way through vents, pipes, shingles, and siding, they seek shelter in attics, making nests they will use as havens for litters of babies in the spring.

"It's usually one of two things, they're nesting up there ... or they're just storing food for winter,"said Joe Woodcock,owner of Northern Pest Control Edmonton.

"As soon as they don't want to be heard, they can be quite quiet so you can go years and years without hearing them or ignoring them and then you can end up with a big problem."

"Squirrel invasions" are extremely common in the city, said Woodcock, who has been in the pest control business in Edmonton for 12 years.

"Every month is squirrel season in Edmonton," Woodcock said in an interview with CBC Radio's Edmonton AM.

"They don't care about anything, not even Christmas."

If you suspect that you have a nest, act fast as the tiny critters can do a lot of damage in a short period of time, Woodcock said. Using their formidable teeth, they will chomp through electrical wiring, insulation, wooden furniture and beams.

In the worst case Woodcock has seen, squirrels levelled an entire building.

"Someone had an old car that they had saved for years in the garage and the squirrels were upstairs and eventually the garage actually collapsed on the car," he said.

"And even though the car wasn't worth anything, it was horrible for the old guy who owned it and thought he was going to restore it one day."

When blockingoff any squirrel entrance holes in your roof and attic, rely on a professional. Leaving a squirreltrapped inside the walls of your house is a "worst case scenario," Woodcock said.

A trapped squirrel is unlikely to perish from starvation.

"The second to last thing you want is a squirrel trapped inside your house, because they will get out. They'll gnaw right through into your kitchen."

"It's one of those, don't-do-it-yourself type things."

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'Squirrel invasion': Destructive rodents ready to invade your home this winter - CBC.ca

Ahead of forecasted near record low temperatures, Atlantic City Electric has taken essential steps to ready the local energy grid to provide customers with safe and reliable energy service this winter. The local energy company has completed hundreds of projects and tasks, including performing maintenance and inspections, targeted upgrades, and other critical work all to meet the energy needs of customers across the area.

Each day, we work hard to further enhance reliability for customers and to fortify our system against severe weather, said Gary Stockbridge, Atlantic City Electric region president. Our preparation efforts are essential to not only providing the reliable service our customers have come to expect, but also ensuring we are ready to respond safely and quickly when customers need us this winter. Its this seasonal preparation, as well as year-round investments in reliability and resiliency, that havehelped us deliver the most reliable service in the companys history in recent years.

On the local electric grid, preparation includes inspecting and upgrading equipment; trimming trees, which cause about 30 percent of power outages;building new underground equipment; and installing stronger, tree-resistant aerial cable. Atlantic City Electric also continues to install smart technologythat can automatically identify the location of damage, restore servicemore quickly,or isolate damage. Ongoing investments in the local energy grid have resulted in a 22 percent decrease in the frequency of outages and a 17 percent reduction in outage length for customers over the last five years.

Atlantic City Electrics preparation efforts also include conducting emergency response drills, testing computer and emergency systems, reviewing emergency processes and procedures, and coordinating closely with government and community partners.

The company also participates in collaborative emergency response exercises with its Exelon sister companies BGE, ComEd, Delmarva Power, PECO and Pepco to ensure each can provide seamless support during a storm. During last years winter storms, and a recent hurricane season that impacted the southeastern seaboard, this coordination allowed mutual assistance crews to quickly respond and support power restoration efforts in the hardest hit parts of the East Coast.

Just as Atlantic City Electric prepares, customers should also prepare.

Being prepared is a responsibility everyone should take seriously. If a severe storm hits, monitor local weather reports regularly and follow the advice of local emergency management officials.

Immediately report a downed wire or service issue by calling800-833-7476, visiting atlanticcityelectric.com, or through the companys mobile app.

More tips, resources and safety information are available at atlanticcityelectric.com/storm.

Readers are encouraged to visitThe Source,Atlantic City Electrics online news room.For more information about Atlantic City Electric, visitatlanticcityelectric.com.Follow the company onFacebook atfacebook.com/atlanticcityelectricand on Twitter attwitter.com/acelecconnect.Our mobile app is available atatlanticcityelectric.com/mobileapp.

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Atlantic City Electric Ready to Keep Homes & Businesses Warm & Bright This Winter - South Jersey Observer

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Electric Drive Train Systems Technology Evolution and Global Market Potential in Commercial Vehicles, Forecast to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Electrification in Commercial Vehicles (CV) will increase globally with the framing of strict emission regulations. The growing electric CV market will open up opportunities for new technologies and components that drive the vehicle.

This study provides an overview of the key technology trends in the electric drive train component market and also provides the component market revenue forecast between 2018 and 2030. Several architectures and types of drive train components in electric CV are studied in brief.

This research predicts that the electric drive train market for CV will reach $44.72 billion in revenue in 2030 globally, growing at a CAGR of 17.7% between 2018 and 2030. This research study covers battery, motors, inverters, and wiring harness used in electric CVs.

China will clearly dominate, with approximately 64.8% share of the global market by 2030, driven mainly by aggressive incentive structures for electric vehicles, technology readiness, and the installation of recharging stations in large scale. Europe and North America are expected to be the next largest markets after China, with more number of product line-ups planned by native manufacturers.

Batteries will be the largest segment by value, with revenue crossing $40.82 billion by 2030. With the increasing demand for batteries, the price is expected to fall to below $100 per KWh by 2030 and the lower battery cost will make the trucks commercially viable for fleets. CVs will largely adopt the Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery chemistry due to high discharge capacities and optimal pricing.

Mostly, light-duty trucks follow central motor architecture and medium- and heavy-duty trucks follow the wheel hub architecture, that will adopt in-wheel architecture in the future. Permanent magnet motors will be widely used in small GVWR segments and induction motors will be preferred in large GVWR segments. Switched reluctance motors will gain popularity after 2025. The xEV motor market's revenue is estimated to be $2.46 billion in 2030, with China leading the market.

Power electronics is another large segment in the EV component market. Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductors will be preferred over silicon semiconductors for improved performance and packaging benefits in designing inverters. The inverter market is estimated to grow to $1.32 billion in 2030 from $0.28 billion in 2018.

Single and multicore wire harness made from aluminium or copper alloys with high-end fluoro rubber insulation will be the key technologies to address high-voltage safety and durability at higher voltages. OEMs are looking for new wiring harness technologies that help in weight reduction. The author forecasts the wiring harness market to be $130 million in 2030.

Along with technology acquisition, intense competition is foreseen among component manufacturers to adopt technologies and gain market share. With the increasing potential, OEMs will soon start manufacturing the components in-house, rather than sourcing from Tier-1 manufacturers. With a growing demand for electric trucks and buses, the component industries in Europe and China are expanding their production goals and investment strategies, as the market value is expected to be more than $44.72 billion by 2030.

Key Topics Covered

1. Executive Summary

2. Research Scope, Objectives, Background, and Methodology

3. Market Environment and Dynamics

4. Electric Commercial Vehicle Market Outlook

5. Key Trend Impacting Battery Chemistries

6. Drive Line Architecture and Motors

7. Power Electronics

8. Growth Opportunities and Companies to Action

9. Key Conclusions and Future Outlook

10. Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4rf0xi

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Electric Drive Train Systems Technology Evolution and Global Market Potential in Commercial Vehicles, Forecast to 2030 - ResearchAndMarkets.com -...

But as voters moved to the South, the West, and city suburbs, politics changed. Assistance to cities peaked in 1978, the same year Jimmy Carter said in his State of the Union address, Government cannot eliminate poverty or provide a bountiful economy or reduce inflation or save our cities or cure illiteracy or provide energy. Between 1980 and 1988, during Reagans presidency, total intergovernmental aid to cities fell by half.

Mandatory balanced budget rules forced states to reduce funding to cities. Lacking support from federal and state governments to meet urgent obligations, cities turned to the bond markets, subjecting themselves to market volatility. The recent financial crisis revealed the unsustainable position of cities that resulted from the risk and leverage they acquired. During the crisis governmental support continued to fall, leaving cities without a buffer against the market downturn.

Meanwhile demands for social services in cities increased. In order to maintain solvency cities turned to the limited options available to them: reducing services, raising taxes and user fees, borrowing more money by issuing municipal bonds, and competing for private investment by offering tax deals and incentives to companies. Not all cities had the capacity to stabilize their budgets through these actions.

Bankruptcy offered federal and state governments a way to avoid bailing out the cities that lacked the capacity. Politicians branded municipal budget shortfalls as the fault of entitled municipal workers and retirees and reckless borrowing by municipal leaders. In 2012 Stockton, California, became the then-largest city to file for bankruptcy, and the bankruptcy process rewrote Stocktons union contracts. By the end of 2012 three more California cities had filed for bankruptcy, and nine more had declared financial emergencies.

In 2013 Detroit broke Stocktons record and assumed the mantle of the largest city ever to enter bankruptcy. Detroit became emblematic. The problems Detroit confronted paralleled problems in many other American cities. Though a few unique cities have attracted the optimal industries and population to win the spoils of the modern economy, many cities have failed to manage persistent unemployment, stagnant wages, and rising inequality. Without outside help from their state and local governments, more than 70 American municipalities since 2007 have entered bankruptcy and been forced to write down their debt on their own. Several hundred more cities now struggle on the brink of default and are shrinking public payrolls, cutting services, and selling public lands. Cities have suffered the brunt of mortgage foreclosures and declining property values and have generally been home to the largest numbers of poor and marginalized Americans, those most dependent on public services.

Detroits bankruptcy offered an opportunity to test whether bankruptcy could affect cuts to cities pension obligations. Many states constitutions, including Michigans, protected pension contracts against modifications, but federal bankruptcy law allowed any contract to be changed during bankruptcy. In one of the few rulings in the case the Detroit bankruptcy judge found federal bankruptcy law could supersede state pension protections.

Through bankruptcys exclusive focus on cities culpability for fiscal crisis, its lack of attention to the people affected, and its implicit demand for cities to solve their problems on their own, we have overestimated the ability of cities and their residents to combat powerful forces like automation, suburbanization, the recent financial crisis, and deindustrialization. We have underestimated the resources and tools necessary to change the trajectory of cities and the importance of sustainable cities. We have neglected our fellow citizens, who have been forced to endure reduced services, high taxes, and insufficient human investment.

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Broke: Hardship and Resilience in a City of Broken Promises, by Jodie Adams Kirshner: An Excerpt - The New York Times

A Calgary retiree says he was "sick to his stomach" after learning his bank wired more than $800,000 of his savings to fraudsters despite security red flags.

Rod McLeod, 75, was a longtime customer with Cidel Bank one of dozens of private banks in Canada that handle wealth management for people with high incomes or sizeable assets.

"It has turned my life upside down," says McLeod, a retired lawyer. "I expected them to protect me."

McLeod is suing, alleging "negligence, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty" by Cidel in a statement of claim filed last week.

It's one more case of what's become a multibillion-dollar problem in Canada and the U.S., according to authorities.

Wire fraud is a "huge problem" and "so rampant," investigator and former FBI agent Don Vilfer told Go Public, that better laws are needed in Canada and the U.S. to protect bank customers.

"Legislation in both Canada and the U.S. is behind in terms of requiring financial institutions to take certain steps [to prevent] this kind of thing,"Vilfer said.

In September 2018, McLeodwas excited to make an offer on a condo in Rancho Mirage, Calif. just north of Palm Desert.

He had Cidel wire a deposit to a California bank account and waited for instructions on the outstanding balance of $619,000 US ($820,000 Cdn).

A few weeks later, an email supposedly from the realtor handling the sale, said the balance should go to a different bank Chase Bank in Denver, Colo.

Even though his escrow agent had cautioned him, two months earlier, against any sudden changes, McLeod says the warning was forgottenin the push to seal the deal.

The seller, he'd been told, was a billionaire."So it made sense that he banked in several places."

McLeod sent the new instructions to his contact at Cidel.

But the email wasn't from his realtor,Brady Sandahl. It was from a new email address, created byfraudsterswho hadtransposed the last two letters of Sandahl's nameso that, at first glance, it appeared legit.

When that email arrived at Cidel, it appears the bank's mail server flagged it, tacking "SUSPICIOUS MESSAGE" onto the subject line.

Despite that warning,a bank employee emailed the fraudster, asking for the address of the bank account owner adding a senior Cidel employee and McLeod to the email thread.

McLeod says his excitement about the condo got the better of him. He didn't notice the email had been flagged, and, he says,had no prior experience wiring money to another country.

"I don't do this every day. This is something that's totally new to me," he said.

"My wife said, 'You wanted it too much, you ignored the red flags.'"

McLeod and his wife authorizedthe wire transfer. The money went to Denver, where fraudsters quickly transferred most of it to the Bank of China in Hong Kong.

Days later, when McLeod made inquiries about next steps, it became apparent he was the victim of fraud.

"I thought, this can't be happening," he says. "It just can't be happening."

Chase Bankwas able to keep $26,000 US from being transferred, and that money was returned to McLeod.

McLeod hired Vilfer to investigate. Since leaving the FBI over a decade ago, Vilfer has testified in over 100cases, often providing expert testimony on digital forensics in cases involving wire fraud.

"It's very profitable for the fraudsters when they can pull it off," he says."We had one client that lost $14 million and they're [fraudsters] doing this all day long."

In his report to McLeod, Vilfer says the realtor's email account may have been compromised and recommended further analysis of the realtor's devices and accounts.

"With email hijacking scams of this type, in my experience, it is the realtor or mortgage broker who is targeted," he wrote.

Sandahldid not respond to calls for comment from Go Public.

The case is an example of what investigators call "business email compromise" a type of wire fraud that targets businesses and their customers. Typically, the fraudster hacks into a business's email accountand impersonates the sender, instructing the customer to redirect the money.

Go Public recently investigated this type of scam,and spoke to a Toronto-area businessman who lost almost $3,000.

Compromised business emails particularly in the real estate sector led to an estimated loss of $12 billion US over the past five years, according to the FBI.Such scams were reported in 150 countries, and all 50 U.S. states.

Vilfer says McLeod's bank Cidel should have stopped the scam in its tracks.

"You have the flag on the email that it's a suspicious message," says Vilfer. "And with this kind of fraud that's so prevalent that should certainly cause some sort of alarm,to take an extra look at this and seewhy is this being flagged?"

"Good technology ... apparently was ignored," he said.

In the statement of claim against Cidel, McLeod's lawyer, Brett Code, alleges the bank's actions "represent a marked departure from the required standard of care, and constitute gross negligence."

It seeksfull compensation for McLeod's loss.

None of the allegations has been proven in court andCidel has not yetresponded to the statement of claim.

In one of two emails to McLeod,Cidel CEO Craig Rimer wrote:"We are very sorry that you've had to go through this terrible experience and for the financial loss you endured."

However, he wrote, Cidel has no obligation to reimburse McLeod.

In a second, one-line email, Rimer blamedMcLeod for the wire fraud, writing, "The introduction to the email address came from you and you authorized the transaction after much back and forth between them [fraudsters] and you."

Rimer declined to be interviewed but sent Go Public a statement saying, "We acted in accordance with the express written and signed wire instructions that were delivered to us by our client."

He would not outline what policies exist at the bank when it comes to conducting wire transfers, but wrote that Cidel acted in full compliance with all industry standards and that the bank will continue to assist its client in recovering the funds from "an unscrupulous third party."

There is no legislation in Canada or the U.S. that requires a financial institution to confirm the identity of a bank account holder who is receiving a wire transferto prevent fraud and protect customers.

It's considered a best practicefor banks to confirm they are sending a client's money to an appropriate destination, but Vilfer the former FBI agent thinks that needs to become law.

"We're just relying on the banks doing the right thing," he says. "It would be a good idea for both the United States and Canada to stiffen up the statutory requirements; require policies for protecting against this sort of fraud."

The largest insurer ofU.S. banks, ABA Insurance Services, said recently it's "critical" that banks start making phone calls toauthenticate wire transfers, among other procedures.

McLeod knows his lawsuit against Cidel could drag on for years.

"If I don't win this, I'm throwing good money after bad," he says. "And they can outlast me. I'm 75 years old."

He's also moved his remaining assets to another management company.

Submit your story ideas

Go Public is an investigative news segment on CBC-TV, radio and the web.

We tell your stories, shed light on wrong-doing, and hold the powers that be accountable.

If you have a story in the public interest, or if you're an insider with information, contact GoPublic@cbc.ca with your name, contact information and a brief summary. All emails are confidential until you decide to Go Public.

Follow@CBCGoPublicon Twitter.

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Bank wires fraudsters over $800K of retiree's savings, despite red flags - CBC.ca

Good lighting can transform a room. Lighting at home needs to be practical, of course, for reading, studying, cooking and so on, but it can also be beautiful and eye-catching, from a grand, sparkling chandelier to a simple wall light with an attractive shade.

The capital boasts a treasure trove of lighting stores, from those that specialise in classic fittings inspired by antique designs, to the latest in high-tech control systems and everything in between. Whether you need help in selecting the perfect LED bulb, a ceiling light to grab attention or a table lamp to brighten a gloomy corner, here are Londons most shining showrooms.

Zurich Lanterns from Vaughan Designs

Founded by Michael and Lucy Vaughan 35 years ago, this firm is well known for luxury decorative and timeless table lamps, wall lights and pendants inspired by the owners unswerving passion for art and antiques. Lights are made using traditional manufacturing methods, all to Vaughans exclusive designs, and can be seen at the smart showroom in the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, alongside furniture, mirrors, rugs, fabrics and cushions.

John Cullen shelf lighting

This is the place to visit for architectural lighting for the house and garden, not to be confused with decorative lighting, such as table lamps and chandeliers. The team is led by creative director Sally Storey, one of the countrys leading lighting experts, so you can be confident of a first-class lighting design service. Also great for technical advice, energy efficient fittings and control systems, plus regular lighting workshops that will show you how to select the best LEDs and use creative techniques to transform your home with lighting.

Hexoganal Treaty Port from Charles Edwards

There are two showrooms, opposite each other on the Kings Road, which specialise in lights inspired by English, French and American designs from the 19th and 20th centuries. Charles Edwards continues to run the well-established business, which has a particularly strong reputation for beautiful lanterns and ceiling lights to suit all scales of room, made at the companys workshop in Wimbledon. There is another store on Rumbold Road which sells alabaster dish lights, as well as antiques and door furniture.

Atom Pendant, Holloways of Ludlow

Another well-established firm, trading since 1985, Holloways of Ludlow offers an extensive selection of contemporary, traditional and period lighting from many of the big-name brands, plus an inspired choice from smaller names and designer makers, even a favourite selection by owner Mark Holloway. There are several London showrooms, with the biggest for lighting at 115 and 117 Shepherds Bush Road, which has been recently extended. Theres also a deep offering online, featuring decorative designs, plus switches, sockets, bulbs, cables and fittings.

Hector Finch, New York design studio

This shop has been a landmark on the Wandsworth Bridge Road since 1995 and is still run by Hector and Emma Finch. It is an excellent source of high quality outdoor lanterns, bathroom lights, library and wall lights (some of which hang in the American ambassadors residence in London), plus smart pendants to suspend over kitchen islands and counters. Lights are assembled at its workshop in Shropshire, using precision-engineered metalwork from the UK and components from across Europe.

Stand alone lamp by Christopher Wray

Seen from its entrance on the Kings Road, this showroom looks modestly sized but with over 1,000 lights on show, it is one of the largest of its kind in London, extending from the front door to a warehouse-sized premises at the rear. It offers a particularly impressive selection of chandeliers and statement lighting, and sells brands such as Slamp and Foscarini. Lighting design and re-wiring services are also on offer.

Buster + Punch light installation

On a mission to end ordinary home fittings, Buster + Punch has succeeded in transforming the humble light bulb and socket into an object of desire. Ideal for lovers of industrial style, its Heavy Metal pendant has already become a much-copied classic. The Shoreditch store is also worth a visit for its individual take on traditional hardware, from cable hooks to dimmer switches.

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Where to buy lights in London - Spectator.co.uk

Electrical Safety Awareness Week, organised by Electrical Safety First and run in conjunction with the Home Office, aims to promote electrical fire safety in the home.

According to Electrical Safety First, more than half of all accidental fires in the home are caused by electricity.

The RLA has a wide range of resources on its website available for landlords, when it comes to electrical safety obligations.

Electrical safety checks-the law

It goes without saying that at the start and for the duration of a tenancy, landlords should make sure their rental property is safe to live in.

During the tenancy, landlords should be sure to keep up with inspections of the property. When it comes to electrical safety, landlords must make sure wiring and fuse boxes are not dangerous for tenants.

Under the Fitness for Human Habitation Act, introduced recently in England, landlords should also be aware that if their rental property is considered to be unfit for human habitation, their tenants can sue them for breach of contract.

HMO properties

While landlords should follow the above best practice advice, there is currently no legal requirement in place for regular electrical safety inspections to be carried out in rental properties that are not HMOs. However, this is likely to change soon, you can read why below.

If a property is a HMO, then itisalegalrequirementtohaveanelectricalsafetyinspectioncarriedout atintervalsofnomorethanfiveyears. Check out the definition of a HMO here.

In addition to this, if your rental property is in a selective licensing area then some of the conditions may include specific electrical safety checks, so you should double check.

Could the law around electrical safety checks be about to change?

In short-yes. At the start of this year, there was some talk of changes to landlords obligations around electrical safety, specifically affecting landlords who rent out non-HMO properties.

In January, the Government announced that it intends to press ahead with plansfirst announced last yearto introduce regulations requiring landlords to undertake five yearly safety checks of electrical installations in their properties.

On 25th October, the provisions of the Act relating to electrical safety checks came into force for the purpose of making regulations. However, as RLA policy director David Smith explains in this blog, this doesnt mean electrical safety checks have come into force, but that the Secretary of State has the power to make regulations about how electrical checks will occur. Writing last month David Smith said it is likely such regulations are likely to come into force next year.

Electrical Safety Inspections guidanceforlandlords

This electrical safety awareness week, it is a good idea for landlords to refresh their knowledge of electrical safety, and the RLA has many resources for landlords and letting agents to assist with this.

Our online inspections guide outline landlords responsibilities when it comes toelectrical safety inspections. The guidance covers:

PAT testing

Again, cu

Not legal req but good practice for ll to do this hse pat testing -free downloadable booklet how often need to do this.

Train with us!

The RLA also runs a Basic Electrical Awareness classroom course for landlords and letting agents. There are dates coming up for this course in Manchester (6th December), London (8th April 2020) and Sale (1st July 2020).

This course aims to give landlords a basic understanding of electrical safety principles. The course is designed to make Landlords and Managing Agents more aware of EICR requirements and how to review a completed EICR. It will also teach you how to maintain the electrical installation and electrical equipment in a safe and compliant manner.

The day is made up of awareness of three elements:

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Electrical Safety Week 2019-what landlords need to know - Residential Landlords Association

Whether youre looking for electrical wires, wire cables, grounding wires, building wires, electrical cables, URD wires or low voltage wires, we have lots of options to cover all of your wiring needs. When considering your wiring choices, its important to understand the differences between electrical wires and electrical cables. Be sure to choose the right electrical wires and electrical cables so you can safely power all of your devices and networks.

Electrical Wires Versus Electrical CablesAlthough the terms wire and cable are often used interchangeably, electrical wire is one electrical conductor and electrical cable, like your AC power cord, is a group of wires (or conductors), encased in sheathing. Our electrical cables and wire cables allow you to do everything from mounting that brand new flat screen TV on the wall, to purchasing coaxial cables to complete your next wiring project.

Wiring TypesThe information printed on the sides of wire indicates its THHN/THWN, material, max voltage rating and gauge. THHN wire is one of the most common types of individual wires used in residential wiring applications. We also carry NM-B wire, Cat5e wire, Cat 6 wire, UF-B wire, bare copper wiring and Romex wires. Most wiring will be marked CU for copper, the most common conductor of residential electricity. Because electricity travels on the outside of copper wire, the wiring is insulated to protect against fire and shock. Older wiring could be aluminum or copper-clad aluminum.

Let the Pros Handle Your Wiring ProjectWhile you can find everything you need at The Home Depot to complete your wiring projects safely, wiring projects can be dangerous. Our Pro Referral marketplace connects you to local independent pros who can tackle your wiring project safely and professionally so you dont have to. Here at The Home Depot, youll find everything you need to complete a safe, timely and cost efficient electrical wiring project.

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Wire - Electrical - The Home Depot

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It helps to understand a few basic terms used to describe wiring. An electrical wire is a type of conductor, a material that conducts electricity. In the case of household wiring, the conductor itself is usually copper or aluminum (or copper-sheathed aluminum), and is either a solid metal conductor or stranded wire. Most wires in a home are insulated, meaning they are wrapped in a nonconductive plastic coating. One notable exception is ground wires, which are typically solid copper and are either insulated with green sheathing or are uninsulated (bare).

The most common type of wiring in modern homes is in the form of nonmetallic (NM) cable, which consists of two or more individual wires wrapped inside a protective plastic sheathing. NM cable usually contains one or more hot (current-carrying) wires, a neutral wire, and a ground wire.

As an alternative to NM cable, individual wires can be installed inside of a rigid or flexible metal or plastic tubing called conduit. Conduit is typically used where wiring will be exposed and not hidden inside walls, floors, or ceilings.

These larger wires in your home are carrying circuit voltage, and they can be very dangerous to touch. There are also a number of wires in your home that carry much lesser amounts of "low-voltage" current. These are less dangerous, and with some, the voltage carried is so low that there is virtually no chance of shock. However, until you know exactly what kind of wires you are dealing with, it's best to treat them all as dangerous.

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Common Types of Electrical Wire Used in the Home

The beauty of todays smart home is that its mostly wire-free. Wireless protocols such as Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE have done away with the need to install complex and expensive whole-home electrical systems just to control your smart lights remotely.

In the modern smart home, all you need is a smartphone and a Wi-Fi router to unlock the power of connected devices. Most of the time.

Read this: Smart home tours a Victorian villa with connected fireplaces

There are still some key devices you are going to have to hardwire though. This is not so they can work with wireless smart home systems, but because they need to communicate with your dumb appliances, such as heating and air conditioning systems, irrigation pumps and the electrical wires running through your ceilings and walls.

If you really dont feel comfortable messing with wiring there are battery-powered versions available for some of these devices, but hooking them into your homes wiring is the best way to go if you want to get the most out of the cool, connected capabilities they offer.

Thankfully, much of the wiring is straightforward. As long as you know where your breaker box is and are handy with a drill, you probably wont need to spend big bucks on an electrician.

When selecting connected gadgets for your home, bear in mind these are the ones you are going to need to wire up:

Smart light switches

Smart wall outlets

Smart thermostats

Smart sprinkler controllers

Smart smoke alarms

Smart video doorbells

Most of todays connected devices are targeted at the consumer, meaning you can largely Do It Yourself. Some companies, including Nest and Amazon, have pro installers that will come and install their products for you, for a fee.

If you are at all uncomfortable with wiring you should use them or hire an electrician messing with electricity can be dangerous. But if you can turn off the power at the breaker, youll find that dealing with the accessible wiring in your home is simple and straightforward.

Ring and Nest supply screwdrivers to help you install their products.

The main tools youll use when wiring smart home gadget include:

a screwdriver

a drill

a level

wire strippers

needle nose pliers

wire nuts

screws

wall anchors

Many devices will come with everything you need to install them right in the box (with the exception of a drill, which is not always needed). Ring and Nest, for example, both include excellent little double-headed screwdrivers with their higher-end products.

Heres a rundown of smart home devices you will need to wire into your home, listed in order of difficulty. Weve provided simple step-by-step guidance to give you an idea of how the process will go, but in every instance, you should refer to the included installation guide (or more likely video) that comes with your product.

Smart light switches and outlets replace your existing light switches and outlets, allowing you to control what theyre connected to with an app on your smartphone, or through a smart speaker. When installed, a smart switch will control all the lighting on that circuit, and a smart outlet controls whatever is plugged into it (such as a lamp, table fan or other standalone electrical device).

Weve put these two products together because the wiring for both is almost identical. It is also one of the most involved wiring projects and may require the use of a voltage tester to identify which is a hot wire and which is a load wire.

Smart switches and wall outlets are the most complicated devices to install yourself.

1. Turn off power to your switch/outlet at the breaker (if breakers arent labeled you can turn off the master power).

2. Unscrew the wall plate and switch/outlet from the wall.

3. Disconnect existing wires from the switch/outlet by turning the wire nuts (see below) counterclockwise.

4. Remove your existing switch/outlet and place it in a box or Ziploc bag along with all screws (in case you need to put it back it later).

5. Identify the wires in your system many smart switches/outlets require a neutral wire, but not all homes will have them (if you dont have a neutral wire consult an electrician).

6. Once identified, connect the corresponding wires in your wall to the wires on the smart switch using wire nuts. These will be Line and Load wires, usually black or red, and a neutral wire (often white, sometime two fastened together and tucked away). If your Line and Load wires are the same colour, you will need to use a voltage tester to confirm which is which.

7. Push the connected wires back into the wall box as far as they will go.

8. Screw the switch/outlet into the wall box and attach any provided wall plates.

9. Turn the power back on.

Wire nuts are used to connect two or more wires together. Hold the wires you are connecting so the ends are aligned, then place a wire nut on top and twist clockwise until secure. The wires should not come out when you pull. You can also use pliers to twist the wires together before attaching the wire nut, or to straighten them out prior to attaching the nut.

Wiring a smart thermostat, like the Ecobee 4, requires a good knowledge of your HVAC system.

While the actual wiring process for a smart thermostat is very simple, getting it right is more complicated than any other DIY smart home project. This is because if its done incorrectly it could damage your HVAC system, which can be costly. Because of this, if you are not sure about your systems requirements at any point during the installation process consult a professional.

1. Turn the power to your thermostat off at the breaker.

2. Remove the faceplate from your old thermostat and photograph the wiring for reference.

3. Label your thermostat wires (most smart thermostats come with adhesive labels for doing this in the package).

4. Remove your old thermostat.

5. Using the new thermostat as a guide, mark where the screws will go, and if needed drill holes and place anchors.

6. Pull your thermostat wires through the new thermostat and attach the wires (according to the manual that comes with your new thermostat) before you attach it to the wall.

7. Screw the thermostat baseplate onto the wall.

8. Double check your wiring, put the thermostats faceplate on, and turn on the power.

Wiring up the Spruce smart irrigation controller is very straightforward.

A smart sprinkler controller replaces your standard irrigation clock. It will control your sprinkler system in the same way, by turning on the valves at scheduled times, but it can also use weather data from the internet to dynamically change your schedule and avoid watering before, during or after rain events.

The wiring process is similar to that of a thermostat, although because most sprinkler controllers are plugged in with an AC adaptor you wont need to turn off power at the breaker.

1. Photograph your existing wiring and take note of which wires correspond to which zones.

2. Unplug the existing controller and remove the wiring from it.

3. Put the wiring through the controller and mount it on the wall, drilling holes into the wall and placing drywall anchors if needed.

4. Snap the wires into the corresponding zones, put the C wire in the correct port and if you have a Master or Pump Valve consult the installation guide to determine where that wire needs to go (it differs on each model).

5. Plug in the AC adaptor (some models do not have AC power adaptors, in these cases you will need to run the power wires into the electrical box that controls your irrigation system and will need to turn off power at your breaker before you do).

6. Turn the power back on.

The Onelink Safe & Sound needs to be hardwired to power its Bluetooth speaker.

Smart versions of smoke alarms can notify you via your smartphone if they are activated. Smoke alarms come in hardwired versions or battery-powered only. Which version you need will depend on how your home is set up. If you have wiring to support smoke alarms, installing a smart one is no different from installing a regular alarm.

1. Turn power to your smoke alarms off at the breaker.

2. Remove your existing smoke alarm and mounting bracket (you cant reuse mounting brackets as they are manufacturer specific).

3. Screw the supplied mounting bracket to the electrical box.

4. Unscrew the existing wire nuts from the wiring in the ceiling or wall and remove the old connection to your smoke alarm.

5. Attach the wire connectors for the new smoke alarm.

6. Plug the connector coming from the wire into the back of your smart smoke alarm and twist into position on the mounting bracket.

7. Turn the power back on.

Wiring a video doorbell is the easiest smart home wiring job youll do.

Video doorbells place a camera at your front door, allowing you to see anyone there even if they dont press the doorbell. But they do work as doorbells too, and if you have an electrical door chime youll need to connect it to your homes wiring. If you would rather not do this, or dont have an electrical doorbell, there are battery powered video doorbells available (including Ring Video Doorbell 2). You will need to periodically charge the battery however.

1. Turn off the power to your doorbell at the breaker.

2. Remove your old doorbell.

3. If you are placing your doorbell on stucco, brick or concrete you will need a special drill bit to drill holes in the correct positions for placing your new doorbell.

4. Connect the wires coming out of your wall to the screws on the back of your new doorbell (you may need extension wires if your wires are too short, these will need to be attached with wire nuts).

5. Screw the doorbell onto the wall.

6. Turn the power back on.

The rest is here:
Smart home wiring 101: A beginner's guide - the-ambient.com