Safety 

Although low voltage wiring is much safer than working with line voltage, safety rules must be followed to avail injury and property damage. Anyone who has ever witnessed a auto electrical fire knows that there are conditions where12 volts can be dangerous. Also some projects require working at heights that could result in serious injury from a fall. Follow basic precautions and care and you will easily survive the experience.

Planning the job is the first step in working safely. A good plan will ensure that you have the right tools, know where extra precautions are needed, and reduce the need to rush the work which often leads to an accident. In preparing the plan think about what could go wrong and plan accordingly.

Marking all utilities is required by law in many localities and should be done every time you plan on any digging. Call at least 72 hours before you plan on digging. In many areas of the country the utility companies pay organizations to perform this service without charge for their customers. To find the service in your area check the phone book under utilities or go to: www.digsafely.com/contacts.htm or www.underspace.com/refs/ocdir.shtml .

Use a licensed electrician for all line voltage work. If you decide to work on line voltage wiring and devices test every circuit, every conductor, every time before you touch.

Ladders, regardless of what they're made of, can become electrified if brought into contact with electric wires. Be extremely cautious when working near overhead wires. Also make sure the ladder is in good operating shape and is designed to carry your weight.  

Wiring must be in good condition without frayed or cracked insulation. Make sure that the electrical load to not over the rating of the wire and that the breaker or fuse is the right size for the wire. Number 14 wire should have no more than a 15 amp breaker and number 12 wire should be connected to no more than a 20 amp breaker. If a wire or outlet feels warm to the touch have it checked by a licensed electrician to make sure that the wire and overload protection are sized correctly and in safe condition.

Extension cords are for temporary use only, not as permanent wiring.

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) must protect all exterior outlets. Make sure that you test all GFCIs on a regular basis to ensure that they are working properly. GFCI can be built into the breaker to protect the entire circuit or be a part of the outlet. The outlet type protect that outlet as well as those on the remainder of the circuit.

Maximum lamp wattage is noted on all fixtures. Make sure that this maximum is not exceeded to prevent to fixture from over heating and causing a fire.

Use the right connectors when making splices. Make sure that all connections are tight and secure and protected from moisture. Loose and corroded connections can become hot and become a fire hazard.