After more than 30 years, Graybar Electric Co., Inc., St. Louis, Mo., is again rolling out its "Hobby Horse" campaign to help electrical contractors discourage homeowners from do-it-yourself electrical wiring installations. To the homeowner who has incorrectly wired a 3-way switch or a ground-fault circuit interrupter, it's just another annoyance that "I'll fix later." To the electrical contractor, it's a dangerous situation that can result in shock, fire or electrocution.

Introduced in 1955, the "Hobby Horse" campaign was designed to thwart home-grown electrical installations and to boost professionalism in electrical contracting. Reintroduced in 1965 for a second run, the campaign will be rolled out again this year to inform a new generation of "do-it-yourselfers" that electrical wiring is not a hobby. To add greater impact and dramatize the possible results of playing with electricity, the Hobby Horse will now be engulfed in flames.

Elements of the campaign include free bumper stickers and posters, trade magazine advertising, and counter sales promotions, such as colorful Hobby Horse Safe-T-Shirt giveaways with counter purchases. Ads will appear on the back of the 1999 Illustrated Book of National Electric Code Changes and in trade journals and yearbooks published by NECA, IEC and IBEW training organizations. Crouse-Hinds, Leviton and Square D are supporting Graybar in its campaign efforts.

For more information on Graybar's "Hobby Horse" campaign, contact your nearest Graybar location or call 1-800-825-5517.

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