Michael McAlister

Michael McAlister is a licensed electrician, electrical contractor, and general building contractor in California. He is currently the Vice President of Construction for McMillan Electric, a commercial design/build electrical construction firm based in San Francisco.

Installing a Motion-Sensor Light
Learn how to mount and wire an outdoor security light.
Installing Low-Voltage Path Lights
Illuminate your way outside with these easy-to-install lo-vo lights.
Choosing Outdoor Lights
Select from line-voltage lights and low-voltage lights.
Tapping Into an Existing Outlet
Follow these guidelines to tap into an interior outlet when adding an outdoor receptacle.
Tools and Materials for Outdoor Wiring
Aside from something to dig with, most of the electrical tools you'll need for outdoor work are the same as those you'd use inside, but outdoor receptacles and circuits have some specific requirements.
Running Power to an Outbuilding
The hardest part may be digging the trench for the cable.
Planning Your Outdoor System
It pays to anticipate future needs as you plan for exterior outlets and light fixtures.
Installing an AFCI Breaker
Here's how (and why) to install protective AFCI breakers, which are wired somewhat differently from conventional breakers.
Wiring One-and Two-Pole Breakers
Follow the guidelines for installing breakers for general-use, lighting, and small-appliance circuits as well as for larger-appliance circuits.
Adding a Circuit
Understand the process of adding a circuit to an existing panel.

Page 1 of 6

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

Follow

Fine Homebuilding

Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now
- Facebook
- Instagram
- X
- LinkedIn
GBA Prime

Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
- Facebook
- YouTube
Old House Journal

Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.
Subscribe Now
- Facebook
- Instagram
- X

Fine Homebuilding

Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now
- Facebook
- Instagram
- X
- LinkedIn
GBA Prime

Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
- Facebook
- YouTube
Old House Journal

Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.
Subscribe Now
- Facebook
- Instagram
- X

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Michael McAlister

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

Fine Homebuilding

Green Building Advisor

Old House Journal

Follow

Fine Homebuilding

GBA Prime

Old House Journal

Membership & Magazine

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.