Capstone Project: Wire a Practice Wall with Lights, Switches, Receptacles, and Protection

A. Finished-Project Specification

Quantity: one complete practice-wall electrical assembly containing a duplex receptacle circuit, a GFCI receptacle circuit with any approved downstream protection, a single-pole switch and controlled light fixture, a two-location three-way switching circuit, continuous equipment grounding at every enclosure, an AFCI, GFCI, or dual-function branch breaker at the panel, and a complete inspection, test, and closeout record — built exactly to the approved practice-wall plan, box schedule, cable schedule, device schedule, and grounding design.

B. Capstone Readiness Schedule

Item	Target Condition	Verification Method
Plan and scope	Approved practice-wall plan obtained; training-only or permitted-energized status defined; licensed-only work identified	Written record on Capstone Documentation Package
Box and cable rough-in	Every box laid out, installed, and box-filled correctly; every cable routed, protected, labeled, and free-length correct	Visual inspection and box-fill calculation record
Grounding and splicing	Every metal box bonded; every splice and pigtail complete; continuous equipment-grounding path verified	De-energized continuity test
Device and lighting circuits	Duplex, GFCI, single-pole/light, and three-way circuits installed exactly per their originating project procedures	Visual inspection against approved diagrams
Rough inspection	Passed before any wall closure or finish covering	Inspection approval record
Panel-level protection	AFCI, GFCI, or dual-function breaker installed and torqued per Project 16 procedure	Torque record and visual inspection
Finish inspection and energization	Finish inspection passed; qualified energization authorization obtained before power is restored	Inspection and authorization record
Functional testing	Every receptacle, switch, GFCI/AFCI function, and fixture tested and passing	Listed tester results and direct observation

C. Material Takeoff

• Boxes and support: new-work device and lighting boxes and the listed fan- or fixture-support box specified by the approved box schedule.
• Cable and protection: NM cable in the types and quantities specified by the cable schedule, listed connectors, steel protection plates, and approved fireblocking materials.
• Splicing and grounding: listed wire connectors, grounding screws and clips, and grounding pigtail stock in the correct material and gauge.
• Devices and fixture: one duplex receptacle, one GFCI receptacle, one single-pole switch, two three-way switches, one listed light fixture with its support hardware, and matching cover plates, all specified by the device schedule.
• Panel-level protection: one listed AFCI, GFCI, or dual-function breaker compatible with the panel identified in the approved plan.
• Documentation: one Capstone Documentation Package covering box fill, cable records, grounding checks, torque records, device tests, breaker tests, inspection approvals, corrections, and the final punch list.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Plan conformance	Every box, cable, splice, device, and breaker matches the approved practice-wall plan without unapproved substitution
Rough-in quality	Box fill, cable support, bend radius, protection plates, and free conductor length meet every embedded-project standard
Grounding continuity	Continuous, correctly isolated equipment-grounding path verified at every enclosure and device before energization
Device and circuit function	Duplex, GFCI, single-pole/light, and three-way circuits operate correctly in every required test combination
Protection function	Installed AFCI, GFCI, or dual-function breaker trips, resets, and protects the intended circuit
Inspection sequence	Rough inspection passed before closure; finish inspection passed before energization; no step performed out of sequence
Documentation	Capstone Documentation Package complete with every required record and a closed punch list

E. Plan Review, Scope, and Safety Planning

1. Obtain the approved practice-wall electrical plan, one-line diagram, circuit schedule, load calculation, box schedule, cable schedule, device schedule, grounding design, protection requirements, and inspection sequence. Record the plan reference on the Capstone Documentation Package before any layout begins.
2. Confirm that the practice wall or small structure is structurally complete, dry, accessible, and suitable for electrical work. Stop work and escalate structural deficiencies before proceeding.
3. Define whether the project will remain a disconnected training assembly or become a permitted energized installation. Record this decision before layout begins, per the Capstone Continuity Rule.
4. Identify all work reserved for a licensed or qualified electrical professional. Record which steps require that professional's direct performance or supervision.
5. Prepare the electrical safety, lockout, testing, material-control, inspection, and documentation plan. Confirm the Project 1 isolation and live-dead-live procedure will control every de-energized step in this project.

F. References, Layout, and Box Installation

1. Establish finished-floor, wall-finish, device-height, and fixture-location references. Use the same reference conventions taught in Project 3.
2. Lay out receptacle, GFCI, switch, junction, and lighting boxes. Mark each box location from the approved box schedule.
3. Calculate box fill for every enclosure. Confirm each selected box has sufficient marked volume before installation.
4. Install new-work boxes at the approved height, setback, alignment, and support condition. Follow the Project 3 procedure exactly.
5. Install the listed fan- or fixture-support box where required by the plan. Follow the Project 14 procedure exactly if a fan is specified, or the Project 13 support standard for a fixture-only box.

G. Cable Routing, Protection, and Framing Work

1. Plan cable routes, framing holes, protection plates, and support points. Confirm every route against the approved cable schedule before drilling.
2. Drill only approved framing locations. Follow the Project 6 drilling-zone and structural-member controls exactly.
3. Install connectors and close unused enclosure openings. Follow the Project 5 connector-selection and knockout procedure.
4. Route and secure NM cable without damage, excessive bend, or prohibited proximity. Follow the Project 6 cable-routing and stapling procedure.
5. Leave the required conductor length and label every cable end. Record each cable's circuit and destination on the Capstone Documentation Package.
6. Install steel protection plates and approved fireblocking materials after required inspection stages. Do not seal fireblocking penetrations before the applicable inspection has passed.

H. Grounding, Splicing, and Rough Termination

1. Prepare and bond all metal boxes. Follow the Project 8 grounding-screw and bonding-pigtail procedure exactly.
2. Create grounding pigtails and verify the continuous equipment-grounding path. Perform the de-energized continuity test at every enclosure before proceeding.
3. Strip conductors and complete listed splices and pigtails. Follow the Project 7 stripping, splicing, and pigtailing procedure exactly.

I. Device, Switch, and Lighting Circuit Installation

1. Install the duplex receptacle circuit according to Project 9. Complete the full embedded procedure without modification.
2. Install the GFCI receptacle and any approved downstream protection according to Project 10. Confirm line and load conductors remain separately identified throughout.
3. Install the single-pole switch and controlled light according to Project 11. Confirm the switch loop and fixture connections match the approved diagram.
4. Install the three-way switching circuit according to Project 12. Preserve the approved common and traveler conductor identification throughout.
5. Install the approved fixture and support system. Confirm the box and support are listed for the fixture type and weight before mounting.
6. Terminate all grounded, ungrounded, traveler, switched, and equipment-grounding conductors according to the approved diagrams. Inspect every termination before folding conductors into their boxes.

J. Rough Inspection and Closure

1. Complete rough inspection before closing or covering any wiring. Do not proceed to wall finish until this inspection has passed.
2. Correct all rough-inspection deficiencies. Reinspect every corrected item before continuing.
3. Install wall finish or maintain an approved open training assembly. Follow the decision recorded in Step 3.
4. Install devices, fixtures, cover plates, and required labels. Confirm every cover plate sits flush with no gap exposing energized parts.

K. Circuit Protection, Pre-Energization Checks, and Finish Inspection

1. Install or connect the approved AFCI, GFCI, or dual-function circuit protection under the Project 16 controls. Complete the full embedded procedure, including torque and neutral-arrangement requirements, without modification.
2. Update the circuit directory and device-protection labels. Confirm every label matches the as-built condition of the assembly.
3. Perform de-energized continuity, grounding, neutral-isolation, and short-circuit checks. Record every result on the Capstone Documentation Package before requesting finish inspection.
4. Obtain required finish inspection and authorization to energize. Do not proceed to Step 34 without this authorization.

L. Energization and Functional Testing

1. Restore or connect power using the qualified energization procedure. Follow the exact restoration sequence recorded on the readiness worksheet.
2. Test receptacle polarity and grounding. Use the listed plug-in tester at the duplex and GFCI receptacles.
3. Test GFCI and AFCI functions using device test controls and listed testers. Confirm trip, reset, and protected-outlet behavior.
4. Test single-pole and all three-way switch combinations. Confirm correct switching from every location.
5. Test each light or fixture under normal operation. Confirm secure mounting and absence of flicker.
6. Inspect for heat, noise, flicker, loose devices, abnormal odor, or breaker operation. Treat any of these as a failed test.
7. De-energize and correct any failed condition. Return to the de-energized state using the Project 1 procedure before correcting.
8. Repeat all affected tests. Do not close the punch list on any item until its retest passes.

M. Documentation and Handoff

1. Compile box-fill calculations, cable records, photographs, grounding checks, torque records, device tests, breaker tests, inspection approvals, and corrections. Assemble the complete Capstone Documentation Package.
2. Complete the electrical punch list. Confirm every listed deficiency is corrected and retested.
3. Hand off the system with circuit map, panel directory, test records, shutdown instructions, and maintenance information. Deliver the completed package to the owner, supervisor, or instructor of record.