If you've always wanted to tackle electrical wiring jobs around the house -- but thought it might be too challenging -- here's the book for you. Wiring Complete covers every last detail of any wiring project a homeowner might encounter -- with site-tested advice from the pros.

From understanding electricity and choosing tools to wiring switches, lights, thermostats, furnaces and media centers, it's all here -- with detailed instructions and trade secrets only an expert would know. Over 800 photos and drawings guide you every step of the way.

WORKING WITH ELECTRICITY

Basics
Understanding Electricity
Working Safely
Service Panels.
Home Electrical Systems
Grounding Basics
Evaluating the Electrical System

Cutting Power
Cutting Power at the Panel

Testing
Testing with a Neon Tester
Testing with an Inductance Tester

TOOLS & MATERIALS

Tools
Hand Tools
Power Tools
Electrical Testers

Electrical Boxes
Choosing Electrical Boxes
Installing New Work Boxes
Removing Knockouts
Mounting Devices

Cables & Wires
Cable & Conduit
Cable Clamps & Clips
Securing Cable to Framing
Stripping Cable with a Utility Knife
Stripping Cable with a Cable Ripper
Choosing Wire
Stripping & Splicing Wires

RECEPTACLES & SWITCHES

Tools & materials
Choosing Receptacles & Switches
Back-Wired Devices
Testing for Power

Wiring Receptacles
Two Ways to Wire a Receptacle
Wiring a Duplex Receptacle
Making Receptacle Boxes Flush to Drywall
Wiring a GFCI Receptacle
Wiring a Split-Tab Receptacle

Testing Devices
Testing a Single-Pole Switch
Testing a Three-Way Switch
Testing a Four-Way Switch

Wiring Switches
Wiring a Single-Pole Switch
Single-Pole Switch with Back-Fed Wiring
Replacing a Single-Pole Switch
Wiring a Linear Slide Dimmer
Roughing In a Three-Way Switch
Wiring a Three-Way Switch
Wiring a Back-Fed Three-Way Switch
Wiring a Four-Way Switch

Wiring Specialty Switches
Wiring a Switch/Receptacle Combo
Wiring a Double Switch
Wiring a Motion Detector
Wiring an Electronic Timer Switch
Wiring a Manual Timer

LIGHTING

Basics
Fixture Wiring
Bulb Types

Repairs
Testing Lamps & Removing Old Wires
Rewiring a Lamp
Replacing a Plug
Refurbishing a Chandelier

Basic Fixtures
Mounting LIght Fixtures
Installing a Simple#nbsp; Porcelain Fixture

Wall Sconces
Removing an Existing Wall Sconce
Connecting a New Sconce
Installing Halogen Bulbs & Accessories

Chandeliers
Prepping & Mounting a Ceiling Box
Disconnecting a Chandelier
Installing a Chandelier

Recessed Lighting
Cutting a Ceiling Hole for Recessed Lighting
Wiring a Recessed Fixture
Securing the Can

Undercabinet Fluorescents
Undercabinet Fluorescent Fixtures

Low-Voltage Fixtures
Low-Voltage Systems
Installing Low-Voltage Cable Lighting
Anchoring Low-Voltage Standoffs
Running Cable
Tensioning Cables
Locating the Canopy
Mounting the Box & Wiring the Transformer
Installing the Canopy
Attaching the Feed Rods & Fixtures

Monorail Track Lighting
Installing Low-Voltage Monorail Track Lighting
Locating the Track & Standoffs
Mounting & Wiring the Transformer
Hanging the Track
Installing the Light Fixtures

REPAIRING LOW-VOLTAGE CONTROLS

Doorbells
Troubleshooting a Doorbell
Replacing a Doorbell Switch
Installing a Chime Unit
Installing a Doorbell Transformer

Thermostats
Testing an Old Thermostat
Installing a Programmable Thermostat

Furnaces
Replacing a Furnace Transformer

MULTIMEDIA

Tools & Materials
Multimedia Cables & Connectors
Stripping Cable

Adding Phone Jacks
Extending a Phone Line
Tying into a New Jack

Distribution Panels
Mounting a Media Distribution Panel
Running Cables to a Media Distribution Panel
Connecting Cables at the Panel

Installing a Multimedia Outlet
Locating the Multimedia Outlet
Installing Cable Connectors
Connecting Panduit Jacks
Installing Leviton Jacks
Attaching Jacks to an Outlet Plate

FANS

Wiring Tips
Before You Begin

Bathroom Vent Fans
Choosing a Bathroom Fan
Locating a Bathroom Fan
Installing the Roof Vent
Mounting the Fan Box
Retrofitting a Bathroom Fan
Wiring a Bathroom Fan

Range Hoods
Mounting & Ducting a Range Hood
Wiring the Range Hood

Ceiling Fans
Installing the Ceiling Fan Box
Mounting the Ceiling Fan

PLANNING NEW WORK

Before You Begin
Inspecting the Fuse Box or Breaker Panel
Assessing Wiring Condition
Is the System Adequately Sized?

According to Code
Common Code Requirements
General-Use Circuit Requirements

Working Drawings
Developing a Floor Plan
Electrical Notation
Receptacles
Switches & Lights
Receptacles, Switches & Lights

ROUGH-IN WIRING

Getting Started
Rough-In Basics
Tools for Rough-In
Materials#nbsp; for Rough-In
Laying Out the Job

Outlet Boxes
Installing Wall Boxes
Installing Ceiling Boxes

Running Cable
Drilling for Cable
Pulling Cable
Feeding Cable through Corners
Fishing Cable behind Finish Walls
Fishing Cable to a Ceiling Fixture

Retrofit Work
Cutting a Wall Box into Plaster
Cutting a Wall Box into Drywall
Retrofitting a Ceiling Box
Creating a Wiring Trench
Retrofitting Boxes & Pulling Cable

Making Up Boxes
Making up an Outlet Box
Making Up a Light Can
Making Up a Single Switch Box
Making Up a Multigang Switch Box

Metal Cable & Conduit
Flexible Metal Cable
Installing AC Cable
Installing MC Cable
Working with EMT Steel Conduit
Making Turns with Metal Conduit
Fishing Cable & Conduit
Prepping Receptacles for Surface Metal Boxes
Wiring Outlets

APPLIANCES

Basics
A Quick Look at Kitchen Appliances
Preparing an Unfinished Appliance Cord

Garbage Disposers
Installing a Garbage Disposer

Ovens
Roughing In an Oven Outlet
Wiring a Drop-In Oven

Household Appliances
Wiring Laundry Setups
Installing Baseboard Heaters
Electric Water Heaters

OUTDOOR WIRING

Before You Begin
Planning Your Outdoor System
Choosing Outdoor Lights
Tools & Materials

Outdoor Outlets
Tapping into an Existing Outlet
Mounting & Wiring an Exterior Outlet

Outbuildings
Running Power to an Outbuilding

Outdoor Path Lights
Installing Low-Voltage Path Lights

Motion-Sensor Lights
Installing a Motion-Sensor Light

PANELS & SUBPANELS

Before You Begin
Understanding Service Panels & Subpanels
Sizing Panels, Subpanels & Conductors

Circuit Breakers
Adding a Ciruit Breaker

Subpanels
Installing a Subpanel

Electrical wiring requires attention to detail, patience, and a little dexterity, but it's nothing the average homeowner can't tackle. Before you buckle on that tool belt, however, take a few moments to read the first section, which provides an overview of electrical systems and a handful of essential safety tips.

Section Two walks you through the tools you'll need and various techniques you?ll use again and again. The remainder of the book takes you through every step of the wiring process -- from replacing an old light fixture to wiring an entire house.

Before you buy tools and materials, however, check with local building code authorities. Although most local building codes do not forbid an owner's doing his or her own electrical work, most require a rough inspection -- that is, before wires are connected to switches, receptacles and so on -- and a final inspection when everything is wired, trimmed, and tested.

Besides, building inspectors are usually knowledgeable: They can tell you if local codes conform to the National Electrical Code® or, if not, how they vary. Finally, check with your insurance agent to make sure that doing your own electrical work won't jeopardize your homeowners insurance coverage.