Electrical Repairs

Converting your existing electric stove outlet over to an outlet for dryer use is as simple as installing the appropriate outlet. Purchase the right type of outlet to match the plug on your...

Electrical outlets are the key to having access to the electricity we need to power the lights and various devices in our homes. Outlets will need changing periodically as they wear out, and...

Before you begin to replace your house wiring, consider a few factors. First, are you comfortable with or capable of doing such work? Are you saving a significant amount by doing it yourself? Will...

Electrical sockets, or outlets as they are usually called, allow us to hook up or plug in the various devices in and around our home to supply the power needed to operate them. Installing a new...

Whether you are working on a remodeling project or new construction, the electrical work is one of the most important parts of the job. Anytime you are install or replace an outlet, you need to...

Electrical receptacles, or outlets, are components in an electrical system that allows us to connect our home or office devices to so they will operate. Overtime, an electrical receptacle will...

In many older homes in the United States, the outlets are of the two-prong variety. Since two-pronged outlets are not grounded, it is essential to replace these receptacles with three-pronged...

If you have a light that will not turn on, your first response will be to change the bulb. After this step, you will probably check the circuit breaker or fuse box to see if the socket is...

Electricity will always seek a path to ground. The National Electric Code describes a number of acceptable methods to ground a residential system. The path to this grounding system must be...

Lighting fixtures come in many different styles that can add ambiance or utility to a room. Fixtures can be controlled by a wall switch, a dimmer control or a pull chain and most will accept...

Circuit breakers are the gateways that allow electricity to flow to and power the various devices in our homes. The breakers allow homeowners to turn on and off power at the main circuit panel....

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 circuit breaker's function is to ensure that power is turned off when a line gets damaged or becomes overloaded. Removing a mulfunctioning breaker from a panel is simple enough, but the dangers...

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...

A GFCI, or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, is an outlet that's designed to instantaneously trip when the voltage goes to ground. They are required for use within six feet of any wet location in...

How many times have you wondered if your computer or appliance was getting AC power? You can't just look at a line cord or an outlet to determine if it is "hot." You can determine if you...

Need to remove a broken light bulb? Whether your light bulb blew out or you just broke it, without something to grab a hold of, removing the rest of it can be tough. Not to mention dangerous. Here...

Wondering how to install a junction electrical box correctly? Junction boxes are an easy way to connect multiple wires. Here is an easy step by step guide on how to install junction boxes.

An electric fence is a closed-loop system. Current flows from a controller, energizes the electric fence wire, passes to the grounding rod(s), then returns to the controller. Any gap or resistance...

If you are working on the construction site of a new building or just remodeling your current house, you will want to use a circuit tester. A circuit tester will check the outlets in the building...

A homeowner that is observant and mindful of the electrical hazards associated with this project can safely change a dual pole light switch, also referred to as a three-way switch. Keeping track...

Before addressing any electrical issue in your house -- changing an old light switch, for example, or replacing a plug socket that's not working -- always turn off the power at the circuit box....

When you need to replace a switch or light fixture in an old house, it's often unclear which of the wires are live and which are neutral or ground wires. Modern electrical work is supposed to...

If you or someone you know has ever changed a 3-way switch and not gotten the wiring put back together right, you know how frustrating it is trying to figure out how to get it to work again. You...

Hanging new light fixtures is one of those projects that often sounds harder than it is. Once you get past the not-unreasonable fear of working with an electrical system, it's a relatively simple...

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

If you want to update the look of your bathroom, replacing the vanity light can make a dramatic change. This is an easy job that can be done with a few basic tools in just a few minutes.

Wiring projects in old buildings can be maddening because you cannot be sure what those old-time electricians were thinking. The black wire is supposed to be live and the white neutral, but did...

Electrical outlets or "receptacles" typically last for many years without requiring attention. This is due to the fact that receptacles have no moving parts to break. However, the contacts within...

Every year many people get electrical shocks from touching household appliances. Fortunately these shocks are usually not fatal but they all have the potential to cause serious burns or death. ...

When troubleshooting, repairing, or replacing an electrical outlet, you'll need to test the receptacles. This will help to ensure there is no power to the outlet before beginning your work. For...

A breaker box is essential in order for your electric to work. Without a breaker box, inside and outside, you will not have electricity. Installing a breaker box is not hard if you know your way...

You have a 220-volt three phase electric outlet, but what you really need at that location is a 110-volt 1 phase outlet. This can be done at a reasonably low cost and should take less than an hour...

Homeowners have a difficult time as it is dealing with their normal electrical issues, but when the topic of transformers come in to play, they can really start to feel their heads spinning. In...

Identifying the neutral wire is necessary when re-wiring a light fixture. If not wired properly, your light will not function and/or your circuit will trip. Following the proper steps will ensure...

Check to ensure the circuit breaker hasn't tripped. If it hasn't, turn off the power to the circuit and go back to the switch and remove it from the box. Using a continuity tester, disconnect the...

The circuits in the main breaker box are designed as a safety measure in the event of an electrical surge. When they trip, they shut the current off, eliminating the chance of a short or a...

If you live in a suburban community where street lights are non-existent—then odds are you have a lamppost at the end of your driveway. Over time and due to weather fluctuations—the fixture on 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...

When voltage is not flowing through a circuit properly, there can be a number of reasons for the problem. There can be a break in the line, a loose connection or some other problem like a blown...

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...

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...

Over time, electrical receptacles wear out. You’ll know that it’s time to replace a receptacle when the weight of a cord pulls the plug free from the receptacle or when the...

Electricity is potentially dangerous; however, by following a few basic safety measures, many repairs can be performed safely and easily, including testing two slot receptacles.

Part 2 - Learn tips on how to draw a basic home electrical map in this free diy home improvement & maintenance video.

Part 6 - Learn tips on how to replace an electrical outlet, a basic home wiring repair, in this free diy home improvement & maintenance video.

Learn how to use a plug tester in this free online DIY home improvement video on basic electrical work.

When you do electrical projects at home or inspect outlets, you must be able to tell if the electrical connections are correct. It's important to have the correct polarity flowing through the...

OK, so you just purchased your new home and you think everything is great, when all of a sudden the electrical inspector calls to let you know that he forgot to tell you earlier that your...

When performing electrical repairs or troubleshooting problems with electricity, there are some basic tools that are needed. A voltmeter and a continuity tester are critical to help find problems....