Electrical Repairs

Wire gauge and wire amperage are very different terms. A convenient way to understand the difference between gauge and amperage is to use the metaphor of a garden hose: water is the electric...

Sizing the correct wire for any electrical device is regulated by the National Electrical Code (NEC). Local regulations may exceed the NEC requirements, but they can never enforce a lesser ruling...

Basic household extension cords are made with wires that will support a standard 20 amp flow. Heavier extension cords for the shop or garage can be found that will support a 30 to 40 amp flow...

Before you start any home project that involves working with American electrical outlets, having the skill to identify exactly what it is you will be working with is important. Usually it isn't...

Electrical current is measured in units of amperes, or amps for short. Your breaker panel manufacturer determines the maximum ampere rating for your panel, but that may or may not be the same as...

Calculating the electrical loads for baseboard heating must be done prior to installation. The main electrical panel that distributes the power must be capable of providing that electricity....

Multimeters are used to read current, voltage, ohms, and continuity. Some include an amperage clamp, which is used to gauge amperage. All multimeters consist of a display, a settings dial, and two...

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...

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...

Troubleshooting an electric hot water heater can be simplified if you know just how much resistance the heater element should have. Understanding this value is a two-fold process and you must have...

Square D circuit breaker panels are common installations in both new and old homes. Electricians like them because they are versatile and easy to install. 100 amp panels are suitable for...

An electrical outlet is a convenience that helps us every day by bringing electricity safely within our reach. Today's outlets come in different colors and amperage ratings. To determine the size...

You can save money on electrical repairs and building a home if you wire up a fuse box at home by yourself. For various reasons, it might be important to learn how to wire a fuse box at home. The...

It is possible to figure out the wattage of a circuit if you know the voltage and amperage. There is no direct conversion between volts and watts because the units do not measure the same concept...

The NEC, National Electrical Code, specifies what type and size of wires are to be used for certain load conditions. These load conditions are based upon voltage and amperage. Most, if not all,...

Electrical and electronic devices all need some type of protection, which typically comes from fuses. Unlike circuit breakers, a fuse is a one-time protection that must be replaced after serving...

The digital clamp multimeter or clamp-on ammeter is a complete electrical testing tool. The clamp portion of the multimeter is used for reading amperage that is flowing through an insulated...

A malfunctioning ceiling fan and light can be aggravating, but do not junk the fan that quickly Many houses don't have proper wires, or the kit you bought may not be wired the same way as the...

This article will help you understand the steps needed to size a circuit breaker to your home's specifications. It provides a calculation and some cautionary measures to follow to pick a circuit...

An amperage gauge is an electrical device that gives a visual indication of amperage, which is the amount of electrical current flowing through the gauge. For many household circuits, for example,...

With a pop, the lights go out in one room of your house. In older homes, this usually means a trip to the basement (or some other dark, cobwebby place) to find the fuse box and replace the blown...

The multimeter is the electrician's best friend. A versatile tool, the multimeter is a must-have if you plan on doing any of your own electrical work in your home. But because of the various...

A high monthly electric bill can be a good reason for wanting to reduce the draw from electric motors. Reducing the draw, decreasing the load or improving the amperage can all be used...

Working with electricity can be a tricky process and requires a great deal of caution because of the potential danger involved. The proper wiring of a house fuse box is in itself a safety feature...

In many of my How Tos, I recommend using a multimeter to perform certain electrical tests. If you are unsure about what a multimeter is—or how to use one—then this article should help you to...

Part 4 - Learn tips on how to replace an electrical wall switch, a basic home wiring repair, in this free diy home improvement & maintenance video.

Part 4 - Learn tips on how to replace an electrical outlet, a basic home wiring repair, in this free diy home improvement & maintenance video.

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...

Circuit breakers are safety mechanisms designed to prevent your home from catching fire from over-loaded circuits. If you look at your circuit breakers, you will notice a numerical rating on each...

It is important to know the amperage of a circuit breaker so you don't overload the breaker with too many appliances. An overloaded circuit causes heat to build in the fuse box, which melts the...

You can save a lot of money by doing little jobs yourself around the house. But when it comes to electrics many people get worried, as they know a mistake can be costly. Here are some tips to...

If you are buying a home, you should inspect the electrical panel from which electricity flows into the house. The electrical panel in older homes may not eet today's electrical code standards....

Circuit breakers are designed to interrupt the power to a circuit and protect your wiring. If your circuit breaker keeps tripping, the steps below will show you the right--and safe--way to fix it.