Understanding the Various Types of Electrical House Wiring Systems — Zimmerman Electric Company

Wiring in a home is designed to distribute the energy required for various electrical appliances. The process of house wiring includes professional installation of electrical outlets, breakers, switches, and circuits. Let’s take a look at the most common types of electrical house wiring systems.

Cleat wiring

Cleat wiring is a system where cleats ensure wire support. Cleats are insulated pieces of wood, plastic, or porcelain used to keep wires on a wall. It’s one of the oldest and cheapest wiring methods, which requires the least labor for installation. Vulnerability to weather and poor appearance are significant disadvantages of cleat wiring. Furthermore, cleat wiring is only efficient at low ambient temperatures.

Batten wiring

Batten is used for fastening wires to the wall in a batten wiring system.  Wires are laid over batten—a long flat strip commonly made of wood or metal—and brass link clips hold the wires together. Because this installation process requires little material and labor, it is affordable. The main advantages of batten wiring are a neat appearance and a low chance of leakage current. However, it’s not suitable outdoors, as wires can be affected by weather conditions.

Casing and capping wiring

Casing and capping wiring is an electric system where insulated cables are fed through the wooden or plastic enclosures used to conceal them. Although this method has been used in the past, today, conduit wiring is preferable. 

Lead sheathed wiring

Lead sheathed wiring employs VIR-insulated conductors covered with a 95% aluminum alloy sheath. The sheath is required to protect wires from mechanical damage and humidity. Both ends of the wire are grounded to prevent leakage current. The cables are fastened to a wooden or metal batten.

Conduit wiring

In a conduit wiring system, cables are protected by conduit, a tube made of metal, plastic, fiber, or fired clay. Metal conduits are durable and sturdy yet costly. Non-metal pipes are flexible and can be bent to route wires in a specific path.

Surface conduit wiring is an unconcealed system where conduits are fastened to walls using two-hole straps and clips. Concealed conduit wiring looks more appealing, as the cables are hidden inside walls. Apart from the aesthetical advantage, this method is also safer and more durable.

Overall, conduit wiring is the least vulnerable to weather conditions, mechanical damage, and leakage current electrical system type. The installation and maintenance processes must be conducted by a professional.

Contact a professional

Contact a licensed electrical service company to request a consultation and professional help with home wiring system installation. 

When you need a licensed electrician for commercial or residential electrical needs, call Zimmerman Electric at 310-378-1323.

Cleat wiring is usually the cheapest and most straightforward electrical installation. It’s often used for temporary electrical wiring systems and doesn’t have a lot of long-term benefits. Here is more information about cleat wiring and the potential advantages that might favor this system over others.

What is cleat wiring?

This type of wiring uses a system of cleats to secure insulated wires in place and lay them out in the electrical grid. The cleats are usually made from wood or porcelain and in two parts that you screw into place. The bottom cleat (the one facing the wall) is grooved to allow space for wiring. Cleats have between one and three grooves, with larger cleats having around half an inch of space between tracks to separate wires and allow for screw placement.

A cleat wiring system uses a series of cleats, first set up onto walls or other surfaces. You put in the screws loosely to allow wires to be threaded in place and tensioned before tightening. Cleats can be up to 18 inches apart, but considerably shorter lengths are better for more complex systems with turns and junctions. Cleats can be installed vertically and horizontally based on the electrical grid plans, allowing for maximum convenience.

Cables pass from cleats into the breaker or junction box to complete the electrical grid. Most cleat wiring systems use wooden bushings at the endpoints to prevent accidents.

Advantages

One of the most significant benefits of the cleat wiring system is its ease of installations and relatively low cost. You can quickly install cleat systems in place of larger and more long-term systems. They are one of the best temporary solutions for new construction before permanent wiring is installed.

Cleat wiring also leaves the insulated wires exposed. Technicians can check for faults quickly and detect any malfunctions without significant work. The system’s ease of access and inspections mean that you can conduct repairs without dismantling a substantial portion of the cleat network.

Cleat systems can also be upgraded or extended relatively quickly. New installations usually require adding more cleats and replacing wires if needed. Replacing the cleats is likewise simple.

Disadvantages

We do not recommend cleat wiring as a permanent solution since the cleats leave wires open to the air, smoke, moisture, and other hazards. Exposed wires are more likely to malfunction and won’t last as long as more enclosed systems.

One of the significant downsides of the cleats is that they don’t look nice and that the exposed wiring running alongside walls usually takes up more room than needed.

Do you need electrical services?

If you’re a homeowner, a cleat wiring system is only recommended during initial construction and should be replaced with a better solution. A professional electrician service can propose, advise, and design a system that works best for your home.

Zimmerman Electric is here to serve your residential and commercial electrical needs throughout the Phoenix Valley metro area. Call us today if you need electrical work performed 602-497-3365.