Electrical Repairs

According to AllAboutCircuits.com, electrical resistance, measured in Ohms, is essentially electrical friction encountered by electrons as they move through a conductor. Ohms are typically...

When it comes to trouble shooting an electrical circuit one of the most simple tests is the continuity test. The name of the test implies what the test does, it tests for a continuous circuit,...

When portable electronic devices stop working, the problem may be in the power supply rather than the device itself. These power supplies, often called "wall warts," can be tested and replaced if...

Electrical outlets are any device where the home electrical wiring ends and electricity is made available to the user. Usually this means a duplex receptacle, but it can also mean a light socket,...

Digital multimeters have come a long way since their analog counterparts. Needle indication meters, which are analog, typically have only two functions--reading voltage and resistance. Today's...

Power is a physics term used to describe the average amount of energy that is transferred per unit of time. Thus power is expressed in units that are units of energy divided by units of time, the...

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...

This article will show how to check a flashlight bulb to see if it's working or not. Often times when a flashlight quits working exactly what is wrong is not known. Checking the bulb and batteries...

Verify that your water heater elements are working properly by checking them for continuity. Continuity means that electricity can travel from one end of the element to the other end without...

Disconnect switches are useful to have in case of flooding or fire, when it would become dangerous for your home to have live AC power. Having a disconnect switch outside the home also provides a...

If you have the feeling that your relay switch isn't working as well as it once did, then you might want to quickly check it to make sure it doesn't need fixed or replaced. A relay switch is...

Your Craftsman multimeter is an extremely useful tool for anyone who regular works with electrical units. Your Craftsman multimeter will allow you to check for AC or DC voltages, resistance,...

A common troubleshooting procedure to diagnose a problem with an electric circuit is to test continuity. A continuity test will tell you if a circuit is open or closed. An OPEN circuit cannot...

Clamp multimeters allow users to measure electrical voltage and current without the need to cut wires or open electrical access panels. Clamp multimeters can simply be clamped onto the power cord...

External voltage regulators are electronic assemblies that supplies electrical voltages. If a voltage regulator is part of a larger assembly such as a power supply, then the voltage regulator's...

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...

Power supplies are electronic assemblies that supply electrical voltages. If a power supply is part of a larger assembly, such as a television set, then the power supply's designed purpose is to...

Analog multimeters performs the same function as digital multimeters, but the analog part of the description refers to how the information the multimeter measures is presented to the user. In a...

Multimeters measure AC and DC current and voltage, along with electrical resistance. Some models also measure circuit continuity, which means they can determine if a particular circuit has a path...

A tandem breaker fits two individual breakers into the size of one. That allows you to add new breakers when your breaker box doesn't have any new slots open for it. Assuming your circuit panel is...

Turn off power to the spa at the main service panel. Use two wrenches to carefully remove the element coil from the heater assembly. Disconnect both heating element terminals. Using a multimeter...

The amp level of a circuit breaker refers to "amperage," which measures the strength of the electrical current flowing through it. A 30 amp breaker can handle a stronger current than a 20 amp...

GE circuit breakers are a standard model and can fit into most types of circuit box without fuss. But installing them can be intimidating; circuit boxes can be imposing for the uninitiated, and...

A digital multimeter is a device used to measure various properties of electricity, from voltage and current to capacitance frequency. In fact, many people may never use a digital multimeter for...

The best way to "fix" a circuit breaker is to simply swap it out for a new one. Replacement circuit breakers are extremely inexpensive--$5 to $10 at most hardware stores--and you can replace a...

When an amp breaker isn't working, there's no "safety net" for the electricity flowing through it. That means that if the current surges, it could short out any lights or appliances which are...

Circuit breaker fuses can be intimidating to the layperson and, indeed, they perform a vital function in your home. Without fuses in place, an electrical surge can short out lights and appliances,...

A multimeter is a versatile device used to check voltage in electrical circuits, as well as determining whether a circuit is using alternate current (AC) or direct current (DC). You can use a...

Circuit breakers are found in your home's electrical box. If the current flowing into the various lights and appliances in your home grows too strong, it can short out the wiring and cause a fire....

Not getting enough hot water? Here is how you can check to make sure your heating elements are working properly.

Multimeters are tools used to troubleshoot electrical and electronic circuits. They are also used to check voltages to ensure correct operating levels. The most common models measure voltage,...

If you're interested in doing electrical work, the first thing you need (other than a solid understanding of what you're doing) is a good set of electrical tools. Your tool kit doesn't need to be...

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...

Cross lines in electrical circuits can waste power and be dangerous. A cross line is simply a connection between two circuits that should otherwise be isolated. There are some safe and simple ways...

A capacitor is an energy-storing device used in electronics. It stores energy as charge in plate conductors separated by a non-conductive dielectric. Whether it's charged or uncharged depends on...

Major appliances in the home are built to meet the criteria of Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories. They are designed to prevent electrical shock when used as intended. All such appliances...

A diode is a valve that makes electrical current flow in one direction. You can test if a diode is working with an multimeter. Here's how it's done.

The job of a resistor is to help control the amount of current in an electronic device, and its value is shown in colors. The numbered reading you get when using a multimeter can be converted to...

Checking the AC voltage is a simple process if you a multimeter, a device you'll find in most hardware stores. Here's how to use the device.

The list of little things to do around the house can be endless! You can save one phone call to a repair service by trying a do-it-yourself project to repair a broken doorbell.

Using a multimeter is one of the most basic skills in electronics. Reading a multimeter is not hard but requires some basic electronics knowledge. Both digital and analog (measurements are...