4. Conductors.—Conductors shall be continuous from outlet to outlet and no splices shall be made except in outlet boxes. No wire smaller than No. 14 B. & S. gage shall be used and for all circuits of 100 feet or longer, No. 12, B. & S. gage or larger shall be used. All conductors of No. 8 B. & S. gage or larger shall be stranded. Wires shall be of sufficient length at outlets to make connection to apparatus without straining connections. Splices shall be made both mechanically and electrically perfect, and the proper thickness of rubber and friction tape shall be then applied.
Continuous conductors are required because of the possibility of defects in the joints of spliced wire.
5. Position of Outlets.—Unless otherwise indicated or directed, plug receptacles shall be located just above baseboard; wall brackets, 5 feet above finished floor in bedrooms, and 5 feet 6 inches in all other rooms; wall switches, 4 feet above finished floors. All outlets shall be centered with regard to panelling, furring, trim, etc., and any outlet which is improperly located on account of above conditions must be corrected at the contractor’s expense. All outlets must be set plumb and extend to finish of wall, ceiling or floor, as the case may be, without projecting beyond same.
6. Materials.—All materials used in carrying out these specifications shall be acceptable to the National Board of Fire Underwriters and to the local department having jurisdiction. Where the make or brand is specified or where the expression “equal to” is used, the contractor must notify the architect of the make or brand to be used and receive his approval before any of said material is installed. Where a particular brand or make is distinctly specified, no substitution will be permitted.
7. Grade of Wire.—The insulation of all conductors shall be rubber, with protecting braids, which shall be N.E.C. Standard (National Electrical Code Standard).
8. Outlet Boxes.—Outlet boxes shall be standard pressed steel, knock-out type and shall be enameled.
9. Local Switches.—Local wall switches shall be two-button flush type completely enclosed in a box of non-breakable insulating material with brass beveled-edge cover plate finished to match surrounding hardware.
Fig. 269 shows the various forms and grades of switches that there are on the market. The screws which attach the plate to the switch enter bushings that are under spring tension thereby preventing defacement of the plate by overtightening of the screws. Single-pole is to be used where the load will not be in excess of 660 watts; double-pole to be used where the load is more then 660 watts or where for any other reason it is desirable to break the current at both wires. Three-point switches are to be used when a light or group of lights is to be controlled, as hall lights that may be lighted or extinguished, from either the top or at the bottom of a stairway. Four-point switches are to be used between and two, three-point switches to control additional lights. Where two or more switches are placed together an approved gang plate is to be provided which designates the use of each switch. Where indicated on the plan, clothes closets shall be equipped with automatic door switch to connect the light when the door is open.
10. Pilot Lights.—Switches controlling cellar, attic and porch lights shall have pilot lamp in parallel on the load side of the switch. The switch in Fig. 3 requires for its installation a two-gang outlet box. The ruby bull’s-eye which covers the lamp is practically flush, extending from the wall no further than the buttons of the switch.