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Going green is the big rage nowadays. And why not, it helps save money and our planet. Here are a couple of tips for saving money on your electric bill.
The purpose of using a wire connector, or wire nut, is to join a device or switch into a circuit with the wiring of the building. But how it works begins with the splicing before it is attached....
A ground fault-protected outlet provides you with needed protection against a dangerous shock and electrocution. If a short to ground is present, this outlet detects this short and will trip the...
Repairing electric and electronic devices often requires soldering. This is a skill which requires some practice, but with a steady hand and some patience, you can master it fairly quickly.
Electricity is one of the most dangerous parts of construction. A new project requires a licensed electrician to pass city inspections. However, knowing how to wire a main breaker box can help a...
Every industry has its own set of rules, regulations and standards--and for electricians, it's the National Electric Code (NEC). This is the electrician's bible. Homeowners who choose to do their...
GFCI stands for "ground fault circuit interrupt," a fairly sophisticated circuit breaker used to protect your home from power surges. It represents an improvement over regular circuit breakers,...
The average house in North America consumes about 21.5KwH /day. That means that if you pay the average 10 cents/KwH you could sum a grand total of over $700/year on electricity. You can cut those...
Coax cable, also called coaxial cable, is a staple item used by electricians and those installing technology, including those wiring new homes and buildings, rewiring or adding to existing...
Connecting a sub-panel to your main service panel makes life easier in many situations. For example, if your main panel is on the other side of the house from your kitchen and utility room, it's...
A split circuit outlet allows you to have two individual circuits connected to a single duplex outlet. The top outlet is powered by one circuit and the bottom outlet is powered by another. So,...
Digital thermostats such as those sold by Honeywell are designed to be easily installed and operated. Not only are they more accurate than older thermostats, but they also no longer use mercury...
When you move into a new home, be it new to you or spankin' brand new, there will be home improvements that you'd like to make to put your personal touch and/or signature in you home. Changing the...
This article will show you the steps necessary to replace a Quartz Halogen Bulb
Three-way switches are regularly found in homes and businesses. It is a very useful light switch that differs from the standard two-way switch. It is specifically manufactured to allow you to...
When there is a power outage, you are left in the dark unless you have a back-up generator and transfer switch. This is a device that lets you power chosen household AC circuits either from the...
The lights have gone out; the computer is dark and silent; the fridge has finally stopped making that humming noise you are always meaning to check out. However, none of these things has happened...
Outside mounted television antennae often benefit from the installation of a motor driven rotor unit on the antenna mast that allows the homeowner to rotate the antenna in the direction of the...
There are 3 basic types of electrical motors: DC, single phase AC and 3 phase AC. Switching the polarity of the input voltage will cause a simple DC motor to run in the reverse direction....
The holidays are a special time, and one of my favorite events is the setup of the family train set below the Christmas tree. There's something about the smell of that old Lionel train chugging...
Measuring the voltage between two points of an electrical current can be done with an instrument called a voltmeter. One type of voltmeter is a direct-current voltmeter. When taking a voltage...
Electrical resistance is the measurement used to determine the flow of electrical current and how much that flow is impeded. This is a common test used in the troubleshooting of various electronic...
Electrical fires are the cause for many deaths throughout the year.
Outdoor lighting sold at home improvement stores sometimes comes with extras like sensors that pick up motion or turn on the lights at dusk. These built-in sensors save you the trouble of...
Finding a short in wiring can be a difficult task. You may be able to find the short quickly with tools or some times it is obvious
You'll be able to wire a 3-way light switch with confidence.
Stripping Electrical Wires to Install an Electrical Outlet
Learn how to strip the wire when installing and wiring an electrical outlet, in this free video clip.
How a Light Emitting Diode Works
Learn how a light emitting diode (LED) works - free video.
Uses & Operation of a Fuse
Learn how a fuse works and what it is used for - free video.
How to Diagnose Cold Solder Connections
Learn what cold solder connections are and how to diagnose them - free video.
How to Use Perfboard to Make an Electronic Circuit
Learn how to use perfboard to make an electronic circuit - free video.
How to Measure Resistance in an Electronic Circuit
Learn how to measure resistance in an electronic circuit - free video.
How to Store a Charge in a Capacitor
Learn how to store a charge in a capacitor - free video.
You will learn how to wire a light that can be controlled from two locations.
Your home repair project involves installing a light fixture and an electrical outlet. You flipped the breakers and disconnected the existing fixture, but now you’re uncertain which wire is the...
Electrical repairs around the house and on the car can require the removal and replacement of fuses. Older homes have rather large fuses and some have screw-in glass ones. Most of these require no...
Maybe you finished a basement or added an addition onto your house. Whatever it may be, don't freak out. Wiring a simple electrical circuit is not rocket science. By the end of this article you...
Three-way switches can commonly be found at either end of a hallway, near the doors of a very large room with multiple entryways or at the top and bottom of a set of stairs. They allow you the...
If you are on a water well and experience a power failure, the pressure switch (near your pressure tank) may be of the type that has to be reset. If you have used water during the time while the...
Many thoughtful citizens are trying to limit their use of electricity as part of a greater conservation ideology. The world's finite resources won't always give us unlimited power. So here are...
The electrical outlet source box can be referring to more than one type of box. Most commonly, this would be the electrical panel box. Or, it could be a receptacle box in a room or building that...
Extension cords do not last forever. They get exposed to harsh elements while supplying electric to your holiday lighting. As a result of this damaging lifestyle, your extension cord may begin to...
Satellite dishes offer an alternative to the costly television service offered by your traditional cable company. Believe it or not, there are still many, many homes that do not have access to...
Motion sensors are a great way to increase your home's security. But even more important for some homeowners, they can help reduce your electric bill. By installing motion sensors on your home's...
This article describe how to test a battery charger of any voltage.
The circuit breaker panel in the home is usually the one place most homeowners don't venture very often. In fact, if it were not for the occasional hair dryer or vacuum cleaner tripping a breaker,...
I have been wiring electrical circuits for over twenty years, and have learned most all I know through hands-on experience. One of the problems that pops up often for a lot of DIY electricians is...
A ground fault circuit interrupter also known as a GFCI is an electrical receptacle with a built in circuit breaker. In wet areas like your bathroom, kitchen or garage it will protect you from...
Before the popularity of circuit breakers, fuses were the most common means of circuit protection in American homes. Fuses are round, screw-in type circuit protectors which are usually made from...
Modern circuit boards are becoming thinner and thinner. Although often more flexible, it is not uncommon for circuit boards to crack when they are installed in a dropped unit or even during...