Electricity & Wiring

Replacing your electrical panel can be costly. Do you really need to replace it?

Finished a home improvement project only to find out that the light switch or electrical outlet covers don't mate up because the switch or outlet is too far recessed into the wall? There is a simple and easy with to ensure that your switch or outlet extends exactly how you need it, every time.

Thinking of having your entire house rewired? It is probably a more daunting undertaking than you expect. While it will be a painful hassle no matter what, here are some tips to help you survive the experience.

Tips for relocating an electric outlet or light switch from one wall to another.

This guide shows you how to wire a UK-style, standard 3-pin plug and select the correct fuse. These basic principles can be applied to wiring plugs from other countries, only the colours are different

In need of a new electrical panel? Want to brush up on some electrical know-how for a DIY project? Check this out for some history, some facts, and a bit of technical jargon.

"Hot" and "neutral" supply power to an appliance, so why the need for a "ground" wire? Basically, it's included for safety reasons. This article explains how it all works....

A very easy way to change the electrical outlets in your home. Also, you can be very helpful for friends and family once you learn this simple task!

Detailed instructing by choosing, installing, and wiring a GFCI outlet. Written by an electrician for the homeowner doing their own work.

An easy to follow picture by picture guide for replacing a three-way light switch. It only took dad about 10 minutes from start to finish.

Step-by-step instructions for how to add a switch to an electrical outlet to provide for a switched outlet.

Tips and specific directions on how to install a new outlet on an existing wall.

This article discusses types of circuit breaker and faults that can trip them.

Instructions on how to change a ballast in a flourescent light fixture.

A comprehensive guide showing how to use a multimeter or DMM. A multimeter is a useful instrument in a home toolkit for measuring voltage, current and resistance and also for tracing breaks in wires, testing diodes, capacitors and fuses.

How to clean electrical connectors and connections, particularly automotive connections.

Directions for how to make simple bends in EMT. Learn how to bend electrical pipe.

Sooner or later everyone will have to replace a blown fuse. Here, you'll find a description of different types of fuses and tips on changing all the different styles.

Directions and tips on how to check various fuses to see if they are blown.

Hundreds of homes burn each year from electrical fires. Learn the common causes of house fires and how to protect your home.

Need more plugs? Here's how to add a new outlet by wiring into an existing outlet. Complete instructions here, including tips on running the wire and actually wiring the circuit.

Detailed instructions for wiring an outlet so that half of it can be turned on via a wall switch. All your questions will be answered by an expert electrician, with diagrams and a video to help you.

Instructions on how to bend both 3 point saddles and 4 point saddles in EMT electrical conduit.

Instructions on how to wire a 4-way switch, with wiring diagrams.

How to choose, buy, and install a thermostat for baseboard heaters or other electric heat source. Called line voltage heaters, the installation is well within the capabilities of most homeowners.

How to wire 3-way light switches, with wiring diagrams for different methods of installing the wire between boxes. Step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting guides included.

One of the more common bends made in electrical conduit is the offset bend. This page incorporates a comprehesive conduit bending guide and describes how to bend an offset using multipliers.

A comprehensive guide on how to bend conduit, with instructions on how to bend 90s, offsets, saddles, and even concentric bends. A must-read for any electrician, from apprentice to journeyman.

EMT conduit bending instructions on how to make concentric bends in conduit. Not an easy task, but not impossible either, and one that should be understood by electricians everywhere.

Professional instructions for wiring both GFCI (GFI) and regular outlets by the DIY homeowner. Learning how to wire electric outlets is a simple task that nearly everyone can do themselves.

Common recommended tools required when becoming an electrician. An electrician's hand tools are his life blood—it is imperative that every electrician own a good set of tools.

Math formulas and multipliers to help you bend electrical conduit. Learn how to bend conduit to any configuration desired, not merely the common bends on a conduit bender.

A conduit-bending guide for bending a 90-degree bend in electrical conduit. Possibly the most basic and common of bends, but there are several ways to bend a 90.

How to install or replace a light switch, including 2 way, 3 way and 4 way switches. Easy to understand instructions for the homeowner doing their own home repairs.

A conduit-bending guide with instructions on how to bend EMT conduit. Learn how to bend conduit easily and effectively with a hand bender.

When your outlet isn't working and you discover a wire that's come unattached, here's what to do.

How to choose, install and wire a thermostat for your home heating system. Digital programmable thermostats for heat pumps.

The following pictures of a house electric panel can help readers who wish to know how the panel controls electricity in the whole house. These pictures can give you a better idea of how it works.

How to cut back on your electricity usage by knowing what your electrical devices use.

Learn how to use a continuity tester safely on several sources around the house.