In article .com, "bf" wrote:

But you're right, if done with care and common sense, wiring really
isn't dangerous.

I have to disagree with you on several counts.

First, "common sense" unfortunately is not nearly as common as it should be.

Second, and more important, 120V and 240V alternating-current *is* dangerous,
at least potentially so: if mishandled, it can start fires, or electrocute. To
handle it "with care" requires a knowledge of the potential dangers, in order
to anticipate and avoid them. Far too many people decide to work on their own
wiring, lacking that knowledge -- and further lacking the awareness that their
knowledge is incomplete. Thinking they know what they're doing, they create
dangerous conditions unknowingly.

Third, some dangers cannot be anticipated solely "with care and common sense".
Some examples:
- Why is it important that the equipment grounding conductor for a circuit be
run in the same cable or raceway as the circuit conductors?
- Why must ground and neutral be bonded at the service entrance and nowhere
else?
- Why is it OK to install a 20A receptacle on a 15A circuit, but not a 30A
receptacle on a 20A circuit?

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.