Electrical Repairs

Electrical relays or contactors are devices that can remotely switch electrical signals and power. The most common application for a relay is to switch an electrical device that uses a large...

Many light switch problems are caused by having loose wire connections. If turning on a wall switch causes your circuit breaker to trip or a fuse to blow, this could be caused by a loose wire...

A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interruption) device offers you and your family advanced protection against electrical fires and electrical shocks. These devices are required by code to be placed in...

Paper lanterns have been a part of Chinese culture for centuries. In recent decades, Chinese paper lamps have become a popular lighting option in many homes in the U.S. Paper lamps are inexpensive...

A battery wired into an electrical circuit will provide current until the battery is drained of its useful charge. However, there are occasions when bypassing the battery is useful--as a safety...

It is convenient to click on a bathroom light and exhaust fan with one switch. Connecting the light to the fan helps ensure that moisture is always vented to the outside when the bathroom is used,...

You just replaced a light bulb, but to your surprise, you're still in the dark after turning on the light switch! What gives? Is it another busted light bulb or is it a faulty switch?

Electric motors are used in many applications today. From the small motors used in audiocassette tape decks to the large electric motors used in trains, we see evidence of this fact...

Whatever your reason for replacing your old doorbell, the actual installation is not very difficult. A doorbell kit and few basic tools are all you'll need. It is a very small price for the sake...

The electrical breakers in the main circuit panel control the flow of power to the outlets and other devices in your home. It is important to keep them in good working order to prevent an...

Electrical safety in the home is of the up-most importance, and installing a GFI/GFCI circuit breaker is the perfect way to protect you and your family. The GFCI, which stands for, ground fault...

When renovating a room without a ceiling light fixture, one of the easiest ways of picking up a feed for installing one is by wiring a switch off of an outlet. While this job can be tricky in some...

There are a lot of times that it would be convenient to have a switch at the other end of a room or hallway. To have a switch at every doorway entering a room just makes sense. Fortunately, there...

Most people are familiar with the concept of using an electrical switch to turn an electrical device (such as a light bulb) on and off. However, electrical circuits can also be wired to connect...

Many people think that when a lamp switch breaks, you have to toss the lamp and buy a new one. This couldn't be further from the truth. Lamp switches are easy to repair and replace and make a...

Cord switches are easy to install and allow you to control lighting without resorting to inserting and removing the outlet plug. There are a wide variety of switch models available, so you should...

A three-way dimmer switch allows you to control a light fixture from two or more locations. This type of dimmer can be installed in existing three-way-controlled locations by replacing one of the...

Wall switches sometimes break or wear out over time, necessitating replacements. The most common type of light or wall switch is referred to as a "toggle switch." These switches can be found at...

Even though the term "single pole switch" sounds as if it's meant to control one light fixture, the device can control several fixtures. Wiring a single pole switch is not a difficult task, and...

The National Electric Code (NEC) requires that ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) protect electrical circuits in specific areas, especially where water may be present. A GFCI receptacle...

In the past, a three-way switch circuit could only be controlled using two three-way switches. But these days, three-way dimmer switches allow you to customize the level of light put out by a...

Installing a wall outlet in a three-way switch circuit is identical to wiring a light fixture in the circuit. The most difficult part is keeping track of the various wires in the three-way wiring...

There are two basic ways to wire two or more light fixtures together -- in parallel and in series. Most homes feature parallel wiring. Parallel wiring allows the other lights in the circuit to...

In the course of redecorating, you may have experienced the sudden loss of a light switch, only to find it hidden behind a large piece of furniture. In this case, you can rethink your decorating...

Installing a door jamb light switch adds the functionality of putting a light in a closet and the convenience of not needing to turn the light on and off manually. Additionally, a light switch...

For the most part, a light switch is a simple, yet durable controller that is built to withstand thousands of toggles. But even the most expensive light switches will eventually wear down. Knowing...

A motion sensor is an excellent way of increasing the safety level of a home. When positioned correctly, a motion sensor will turn an outside light on whenever someone steps within its targeted...

There are many scenarios for wiring a ceiling fan and light combo.This wiring scheme is used specifically when the source power originates at the switch. In other words, there in only one switch....

A double pole single throw (DPST) switch controls the connections to two wires at once, where each wire only has one possible connection. In other words, it's like two simple switches controlled...

GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupt) switches monitor the electrical flow across a circuit and disengage the circuit if there is a drop. This drop in electrical flow is often referred to as a...

A double pole double throw (DPDT) switch is a three-selection electrical device in which there is one "off" and two "on" positions. An application for this switch is for reversing a direct current...

Ceiling fans are great for circulating the air in the home. The most abused part of the ceiling fan is the pull chain, which is connected to the motor switch. Pull chains get broken off and motor...

Adding an outlet from an electrical switch can be very simple or nearly impossible, depending on how the switch was configured in the original wiring of the house. If today's wiring allows it,...

Whether you are looking to add a little ambience to a room or just save some money on your electric bill, a dimmer switch may be what you need. A dimmer switch replaces the standard on/off light...

A house light is wired by connecting the electric wires from the light to the corresponding electric wires at the junction box where the light will be mounted. Power to the location should be...

If your ceiling fan fails to operate, the problem can most times be traced back to a bad fan switch. The replacement of a four-wire ceiling fan switch is a very simple process, which any weekend...

Having a light switch just where you want it can make any room more accessible and appealing, especially for guests who won't be able to find an inconveniently-placed switch. Not to mention the...

A push-button light switch controls the operation of a light fixture the way a traditional single-pole switch done, except instead of toggling the switch up and down, the user simply pushes a...

A double gang light switch is designed to fit in a single-gang switch box, yet it offers the capability of controlling two separate circuits. The switches are situated one on top of the other, and...

Removing a dimmer switch may sound like it's a more difficult job than removing a standard single-pole switch, but the two jobs are in fact identical. Each switch has a hot feed, a traveler wire...

Dryer problems can be caused by intricate issues that may lead many people to seek out professional electricians to fix the problems. However, it is possible for you to rectify common dryer...

Gas backup generators can make power outages much easier to endure. There are a couple of ways to wire a portable generator into your home. If you live in an area with frequent power failures, you...

GFI or GFCI switches, known as ground fault interrupt and ground fault circuit interrupt respectively, are circuit breakers which are indicated in electrical circuits that are installed in damp or...

Many homeowners find it very convenient to have an outlet that can be turned off and on for electrical devices such as lights, so knowing how to wire one yourself is a useful skill. This tutorial...

Photocell switches are typically used on outdoor lighting. This allows the power source for the light to remain on at all times. The photocell switch will then turn the light on at a predetermined...

An electrical outlet can be installed in a bathroom if the number out outlets that are currently available is not sufficient. Installing an electrical outlet in your bathroom will require running...

Three-way circuits are commonly used in modern homes because they provide the convenience of controlling a light or outlet from two switches in different locations. They are slightly more complex...

Light-switch wiring connections often go bad because they get loose or because the wire ends were positioned too closely to one another, causing a short-circuit. Fixing this involves pulling out...

Ceiling fans come in all shapes, sizes and designs; they are a convenient and attractive addition to a home. Most of the time when a ceiling fan fails to operate the blame can be placed on a...

Connecting existing wiring to a new light fixture is not difficult. The hardest part of the job is finding the right wire in which to connect the fixture. It is also important not to add the...