Electrical Safety

Making tight electrical connections is critical to a safe wiring job. If wires come loose, you could get arcing and overheating, which could…

Switch boxes can sometimes be used as a power source for a new outlet, but only if the box is large enough and has neutral and ground wires…

Running electric power to a garage or garden pond? Learn about code requirements and different options for depth of trench, conduit material,…

Accidentally cut an underground electrical wire? The easiest way to repair it is with an underground splice kit, which uses a rustproof…

If you accidentally cut your extension cord or power tool cord, save it by adding a new plug and receptacle to the two pieces—a safer…

You can vastly cut down deadly fire risks by exercising good safety habits and simple prevention steps. This article lists the “Big…

Correctly connect hot and neutral wires when you replace a lamp switch and socket to keep your lamp safe. Even an inexpensive plug and cord has…

Frustrated by too few outlets in your garage? Lighting that’s too dim? Or maybe you just want to install a garage door opener and need a nearby…

Fix old-house wiring problems. Bring old light fixtures wired with knob-and-tube wiring up to code by installing an electrical box in the…

Instead of using bulky surge protector strips, you can now install a point-of-use surge protection receptacle to protect appliances and…

Do you have outlets with cracked cover plates? The outlet box was probably set too deep, leaving the outlet unsupported. Here's a quick fix that…

Analyze your circuit breaker panel to see if you have amperage capacity and the physical space needed for a new 240-volt circuit or appliance.

Add an outdoor electrical outlet to get power to where you need it, especially for holiday lights. Do it safely and easily with this simple…

Increase the safety of your old two-prong outlets by installing a new ground fault circuit interrupter receptacle. The GFCI will protect…

Surge protectors are a must for any electronic device, whether it’s a digital clock, a computer, a dishwasher or a home theater system. The best…

Most of the time you can find the cause of nuisance tripping of an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) and correct the problem without calling…

Not all dimmer switches are the same, and if you buy one that's not rated for the total wattage of the lights it controls, you could have…

Save energy and money by reducing “stand by” losses through electrical appliances and devices. We show you what wastes electricity…

You'll like steel framing. Steel studs are perfectly straight, don't shrink or split. They're light, easy to store, resist fire, insects and…

This article shows you a simple technique for adding a second switch to a stairway light or a light in any room in your home. It covers running…