Electrical Repairs

Fluorescent lighting fixtures offer tremendous energy savings at a minimal up-front cost. These fixtures do require occasional maintenance to keep them operating in a flicker-free manner. The...

Disconnecting a smoke detector is generally a very risky idea, but there are times where it is necessary. Here's an easy way to disconnect smoke detectors in your house.

GFI (ground fault interrupt) breakers are installed in bathrooms, kitchens and near water faucets. GFI breakers are designed to prevent electrocution by sensing current leaks to ground. However,...

If your Maytag dryer is not heating properly, you probably have a blown thermal fuse. A blown dryer fuse is not uncommon and is often caused by overheating. Make sure that all vent systems are...

Light bulbs often break while still in the socket of a lighting fixture. Although a recessed ceiling socket is often inconvenient to access, you can remove a broken bulb base from a recessed...

Removing track light fixtures is as simple as installing them. Track lights are the lighting fixtures that attach to a track, which is a prewired metal channel. The track is attached to the...

Compact fluorescent (CF or CFL) light bulbs use 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. They also last 10 times longer, but they do contain a small amount of mercury that when...

A fish tape is a slender piece of plastic (or metal) that is used to pull electrical wires through walls. They usually come in a reel that keeps it neat and ready for use. Fish tapes come in...

Replacing a three-way switch with a dimmer switch is possible. Three-way dimmer switches are available on the market.

An electric fence is a closed-loop system. Current flows from a controller, energizes the electric fence wire, passes to the grounding rod(s), then returns to the controller. Any gap or resistance...

When stringing multiple extension cords together is not a viable option for an electrical cord, you can always wire multiple electrical cords together to make one long cord. The benefit of having...

Remodeling or updating your homes electrical components can be challenging, yet rewarding. Knowing how to add a receptacle from a junction box is important in completing your project right, and...

A 50-amp wall outlet is typically used for large home appliances, such as refrigerators, range ovens, electric washers and dryers. These outlets are typically recessed into a wall-outlet junction...

A suspended ceiling has the advantages of hiding pipes, ductwork and cables. Suspended ceilings, also called drop ceilings, are accessible from both the bottom of the ceiling and the top, making...

Many of us use florescent lighting in various areas during the day. Whether at work or at home or out shopping we encounter florescent lights somewhere. But changing a florescent bulb isn't like...

How to remove that broken lightbulb without getting hurt. Safe and reliable. Be careful not to get cut or shocked.

If a light switch is broken, old or just the wrong color, it's easy to replace it with a new switch. Replacing all the light switches in your home is a low cost way to update the look of the home...

Are you moving into a new space and lost your last extension cord in the move? Are you rearranging your living room and your television is now too far away from the outlet? Or are you simply...

A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interruption) device is required in any area where moisture may be present. This includes the bathroom, kitchen, crawl spaces and unfinished basements. These devices...

Wiring a home can be a very complex and time-consuming task. There are a great many things to consider and carefully planning is required. Since a mistake could result in a destructive fire, you...

Although some electrical wiring codes will vary from one area to another, certain codes are universal and must be met in all areas. Be certain to check your local codes prior to beginning any...

Single-pole switches are used whenever a light or outlet is controlled by only one switch. It is the simplest form of switch to wire, and changing out or even installing a new single-pole switch...

Identifying a circuit breaker and its various electrical properties is a must before attempting to replace a faulty one. A circuit breaker normally has two of three electrical attributes printed...

If you are like most people, you aren't going to call an electrician every time you need a cord repaired. What you need are some tools of the trade to make that job a lot easier.

Circuit breaker are electrical switches that are designed to cut off electrical current if a power surge occurs. Unlike fuses, they can be used over and over again without replacement....

A dedicated circuit is an electrical outlet that is used for only one purpose and the only outlet on that given line. In your kitchen alone, there should already be three dedicated circuits: the...

T8 light tubes are effectively replacing T12 light tubes because of their compact size and storage readiness. Because they are smaller tubes, they use less space so they are easier to store and...

Electrical outlets usually are in every room of a home. Knowing how they are connected, will help in troubleshooting what is happening when an outlet doesn't work. This will also help in making...

Single- and double-pole circuit breakers supply power to circuits in different increments. Single-pole breakers supply up to 120 volts of power, while double-pole breakers supply up to 240 volts...

The reasons for wiring two outlets using one power source are numerous. Perhaps you need two outlets behind the TV, or maybe you need one where there isn't one available. For whatever reason, you...

Accidents can happen, and sometimes a light bulb breaks while it's still in the socket. Maybe your kids knocked over a lamp, or maybe the base came apart from the bulb when you tried to unscrew...

Replacing an older fuse box with a more modern and safer breaker panel is a smart move. Breaker panels are far more efficient and have resulted in fuse panels becoming outdated and obsolete. If...

High-pressure sodium (HPS) light ballasts are actually high voltage multi-tap transformers. Multi-tap means that a variety of single-phase voltages can feed the transformer. In most cases once a...

Water well pressure switches control the well pump for operation. The switch is typically directly connected to the pressure tank on the water system. A small ¼ inch diameter pipe nipple...

Electrical metal conduit is used to mechanically protect wires. In many cases the metal conduit is also used as the back up to the ground circuit as well. The fittings that make up the conduit...

Electrical dimmer switches can be added to most any lighting circuit. The switch must be rated for the lighting load and be capable of controlling that particular lighting fixture. Dimmer switches...

Circuit breakers are switches designed to prevent damage from electrical overload. When this occurs, the circuit breaker switches off to discontinue electrical flow. They have the same function as...

Double pole breakers are circuit breakers used to deliver power to 240-volt circuits while preventing electrical hazards. They are required for many household devices and appliances, and deliver...

Old commercial lighting fixtures are available, but you need to know where to find them. Visiting local venues may be fruitful and you can always broaden your search via the Internet. Luckily,...

Updating your home's interior lighting can be exciting, and with the proper planning, will add that extra warmth to your newly remodeled home. Many shapes and styles of recessed lighting fixtures...

Sometimes light bulbs burn out in the worst possible places, such as an area that you can't easily reach due to the height of the bulb. The proper tools can help you get to the burned out light...

Taking a peek inside an electrical outlet is a scary thing when you aren't sure what's going on in there. There are several different colored wires, and a copper one without any insulation on it....

For some home projects turning off the power to a particular Electric switch or Electrical outlet is very important for your safety. Electric power in the house is very deadly so you want to be...

Knowing how to estimate electricity services and cost to run your appliances is very powerful motivation to limit their use and reduce your electric bill. The following is a brief explanation of...

I noticed that several people had requested on ehow, hot to wire a central air thermostat so i figured i would share these simple steps.

Though it may not sound easy, installing a heating element in your dryer doesn't require extraordinary effort or background in electrical repairs. Most people suspect their dryer needs a new...

Circuit breakers and fuses are both designed to disrupt the flow of power when current levels exceed safe amounts. However, circuit breakers are safer and easier, offer more protection and don't...

The ability to dim or brighten the lights enhances both the functionality and atmosphere of a room. Dimmer switches install in the same basic manner as regular light switches, and come in several...

Indoor lights are usually quite easy to change. You simply swap out the light bulb or get rid of the lamp when it stops working. Outdoor lights, however, may take a little more effort to change...