Electrical Repairs

A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) device offers added protection against electrical fires as well as electrical shock. While these devices cannot prevent all shocks, they can generally...

Old floor lamps are usually quite sturdy, but the portion of the wire that runs from the plug to the base of the lamp is prone to damage. According to the U.S. Office of Compliance Safety and...

Repairing an electrical plug can seem like an average home repair, but care must always be taken when working with electrical cords and electricity. Electrical cords or extension cords are very...

Installing outdoor outlets will allow you to have extra lighting for evening barbecues or to run garage tools for a yard project. The two keys to remember when installing an outdoor outlet is to...

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...

Many older homes were built when there were not as many electrical devices as there are today, resulting in too few outlets in the bathroom. Additional outlets can be added fairly easily if the...

Wire gauge refers to a standard measurement of the diameter of non-ferrous, electrically conducting wire. It is more properly known as American wire gauge (AWG,) although it is sometimes also...

Most light fixtures are designed to last for many years before needing to be replaced. When they develop problems, one of the most common failures is that of the socket. Over time, the wire...

Remodeling often brings with it the need to add electrical outlets or lighting. Working with preexisting walls can make the project more challenging, however using the right equipment and...

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...

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...

Anytime you are adding outlets within a covered wall or new construction, the task of running the wiring can present some problems. Bulky electrical wire can easily get wedged or stuck in the...

So, you opted for the electric leaf blower instead of the gas model. It's quieter, and you feel good about not burning up that extra gasoline during your outdoor chores. You're excited when you...

Square D is a trade name for a manufacturing company that produces electrical devices and mechanisms. Most, if not all, of the products Square D manufactures have something to do with controlling...

Metal telephone wiring has been used since the invention of the telephone, and continues to be used into the 21st Century. However, the chemical makeup of most metals allows for oxidization, which...

Exterior outlets are very convenient for both outside activities as well as yard work. Electrical codes require all exterior outlets be a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interruption) device. These...

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...

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...

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...

Metal stud construction is gaining popularity in residential building. In metal stud construction, the walls are framed in lightweight steel members instead of wood. Installing wiring in a metal...

Electrical cords allow us to provide power to our lamps, vacuum cleaners or other home devices to keep them running. They are also perhaps one of the things that take the most abuse as well....

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...

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...

Electrical outlets are the life source of power to our home, and connecting them safely and correctly is very important. The outlet is powered through the wiring from the main circuit panel in...

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...

There will come a time when a homeowner will have to replace or even add a circuit breaker to the power box (breaker box). Circuits wear out with time and they need to be replaced. This is a...

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...

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...

Some lamps, especially very expensive or sentimental ones, are perfect candidates for cord repair in the event of a broken wire. Considering the alternative is disposing of the lamp, repairing a...

One of the trickier parts of doing your own electrical work is getting the wire from point A to point B. Quite often, there are obstacles in the way and more times than not, a floor or ceiling to...

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...

Fluorescent lights are very energy-efficient and produce a significant amount of light. They brighten up any room they are installed in. This makes them a great choice for basement lighting, as...

Garages are routinely used for much more than just as a place to store one's automobile. These buildings are often converted into workshops, craft studios or extra living space. In doing so,...

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...

Fluorescent light fixtures have evolved over the last few years. The fixtures no longer require a separate starter to turn the fluorescent light bulbs or tubes on. When the fluorescent light...

This iron is a very handy tool for use on automobiles, boats, tractors and much more. Once you make this little gem, it can also be portable if you have a jump pack. For those of you who do not...

Having the right amount of access to electrical outlets in the home or garage is a necessity to getting your work done. Installing and wiring them correctly is equally as important. Always make...

Most copper wire, whether solid or standard filament, is only available with pre-wrapped rubber insulation. This is to protect the internal wire from damage and also protect users from exposed 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...

Planning the work for an electrical project must be done carefully, and in steps considering all the correct information. One of the key processes in installing a new outlet and/or wiring, is...

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...

The process of running wire through conduit is referred to as "snaking" or "fishing" the wire through the conduit. The best tool for this process is called a "fish tape." If the length of the...

The main circuit panel in a home is considered the heart of the electrical system. All the power from the lines outside flow into this panel, and from there are divided through the various...

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...

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...

GFCI devices provide added protection against electrical fires as well as serious and potentially fatal shocks. These devices are required by code in any bathroom area, kitchen counter, outdoor...

Working with or repairing electrical outlets is pretty straightforward when following a few guidelines. However, the most important thing to remember is that electricity is dangerous and can kill...

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...

Soldering is a method of joining two pieces of metal using another metal with a lower melting temperature. In the home, some electrical connections are soldered connections. Soldering provides a...

Fluorescent lighting uses less energy and creates less heat than incandescent lighting and is used in many commercial and residential applications. Workshops, garages and factories commonly rely...