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...

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...

Due to increased energy consumption throughout the earth, traditional sources of energy have become strained. Because oil and natural gas supplies are used so commonly as energy sources, prices...

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...

GFCI outlets, or "ground-fault circuit interruptier" receptacles, are required by most municipal building codes for all "wet" areas in homes, such as bathrooms and kitchens, and in garages,...

The success of your electrical repair or additions is dependent on three factors: adequate power, correct wire size to carry that power and proper connection of the wire to the terminal. Without a...

Dual dimmer switches can control two separate lights or a fan and light combination. A dimmer switch for a fan must conform to power load rating specified by the manufacturer. Lutron Electronics...

In most electrical outlet installations, the outlet is powered by a single circuit which features a hot wire, a neutral wire and a ground wire. But sometimes a circuit may be run which also...

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...

Toggle switches can be found in almost any electrical application you can name. From lighting circuits to radios, toggles are the devices used to select between two different circuit paths....

Understanding the wiring of a light switch is useful for making minor alterations to your home's lighting without hiring an expensive electrician. The setup is a basic switching circuit in which...

A two-way switch, or a Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT) switch, can be used as a selector to switch between two circuits or signal paths in devices ranging from electric guitars to car engines....

A telephone wire must be connected to a jack before it may be used by a telephone. Household telephone wiring may include up to three lines but most telephone devices can only use one line. You...

A telephone wall outlet will allow you to connect your telephone to a telephone line. A house may be wired with up to three telephone lines, so you'll need to decide which one to connect your...

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...

Three-way switches make life a little easier. Entering a dark room, they can turn a light on from two different locations. They can save a little electricity too, since if you can turn off a light...

Wiring two switches to control lights or receptacles on the same circuit is not much different than connecting two receptacles to provide a power outlet. Power is supplied to the switches through...

Wire a combination outlet switch for the convenience of having a switch and a receptacle in the same location. Many bathrooms have a light switch for overhead lighting, but no outlet for an...

There's nothing like taking a relaxing soak in a hot tub. The warm water and pulsing jets are the perfect remedy for sore muscles, bad backs and other maladies. What do you do when the hot tub's...

Wire a switch-controlled outlet by connecting a wall switch to a receptacle in the room. Then a lamp can be plugged into the receptacle and turned on and off by flipping the toggle. Building codes...

Ground an electrical outlet with no grounding wire by installing a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) receptacle. The National Electric Code (NEC) allows three prong GFCI outlets to exclude...

This article will illustrate the correct use of wire crimping pliers.

Learn how to replace A GFI (ground fault interrupter) receptacle.

Limit switches are used as both an electrical safety stop and as a machine control indicator. These small and compact switches typically turn a control voltage on and off. There are three...

There are several types of common electrical switch available. Single-pole single-throw and single-pole double-throw switches are the most commonly used. Both types of switch are easy to wire,...

Replacing your dryer cord is a simple project. You do not need electrical skills or an electrician. It only takes one tool and less than 30 minutes from start to finish. You will need to check the...

An attic fan can reduce household cooling costs by circulating air in the part of that house that is heated by a roof under direct sunlight. Attic fans are typically controlled by a thermostat....

An ammeter is often called an amp meter. It is a device to measure electrical current in units called amperes. Ammeters were used in vehicles such as automobiles and motorcycles, and they were...

A thermocouple is a small electrical device that is basically the junction of two wires that are composed of different metals. Because different metals react differently to temperature, an...

A home AC compressor is an electromechanical device that uses alternating current (AC) to compress fluids that are used in cooling. They are used in air conditioners and refrigerators, although...

We rely on electrical devices for consistent performance; however, that's not always what we get. Sometimes when plugging an apparatus into an electric socket there's a blue flash with a loud pop...

Not every home has sufficient electrical outlets. Older homes that were built before there were so many home appliances available are especially prone to have few outlets. You might want to...

Wiring a toggle switch for a 12 volt circuit is a task that even a beginning home handyman can do in a very few steps. These switches are very common in a home or vehicle.

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,...

Installing a circuit breaker is an easy household task that might seem more intimidating than it is. The box controls the flow of electricity leading into your house. When the power surges, the...

GFI stands for Ground Fault Interrupt, and GFI circuit breakers are also known as GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt) breakers. They work the same way regular circuit breakers do--cutting off...

Every homeowner should know how to change a fuse in a breaker box. Not only is it an easy task--saving you from having to call an expensive electrician--but it helps keep your home safe from power...

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,...

Lights in a home are typically controlled by a two-way switch. The switch can be turned on, supplying voltage to the light, or off, disconnecting voltage from the light. Knowing how to connect...

Home electrical repairs can be easy and fun, as long as you take precautions to ensure there is no live voltage on the circuits you are working on. When a light is not working, it usually means...

Rocker switches are commonly used in low-voltage direct current (DC) applications. They are small, come in a variety of styles, and are easy to install in applications like car audio. Wiring a...

All of our electrical devices in the home require a consistent voltage to operate. The circuit breaker panel distributes the voltage from the power company safely throughout the home. A single...

Installing a ceiling light fixture is a home maintenance item that can be done by the average homeowner with little or no electrical experience. Following simple safety procedures, the typical...

You will learn how to wire a light that can be controlled from two locations.

A two-way switch on a light fixture can come in handy at times--like if you need to go down a dark stairwell, but not back up right away. Or if you come into your house from the garage, you can...

Worn and frayed electric plugs aren't just an aesthetic problem--they also can be a fire hazard. Look for damage to the cord or plug, a cord or plug that's too warm to the touch, and electricity...

For safety's sake, you want all the receptacles in your house to stay in perfect working condition. Replacing a receptacle that no longer holds a plug securely, or replacing an ungrounded...

A plug with a cracked or broken housing, a missing insulating cover or loose, badly bent prongs may present a fire or shock hazard or both; unplug it immediately and replace it. You might also...