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Electrical panel
Today, before you go to bed, make sure you know where your electrical breaker panel is. Also, know how to shut off the main breaker or fuse in case of emergency.
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Extension Cords Bring Everything into Reach
Who doesn’t have a set of extension cords in their desk or home toolbox? Whether it’s to attach multiple sets of appliances or lights, or bring electrical items or tools closer, they are a staple of household tasks.
Although many people may think that extension cords are universal, there are different types to accommodate different environments and electrical currents. There are charts online and in stores that will provide recommended cord gauge and length for the plugged in voltage. Outdoor cords are thicker and can better withstand weather conditions. Indoor ones are often recognized by their green, brown, or white thinner cords. There are also ones that can alternate between indoor and outdoor use, and ones specially formulated for heavy appliances. With multi-outlet extension cords, your items are spaced apart, rather than their plugs grouped together into one compartment. For more room, try a wireless extension. Plug your items into wherever your satellite is, and it’s read by the base plugged into your wall. You will never have problems making something reach!
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Add an outlet
You can add an outlet without tearing up the sheetrock. Carefully remove the base trim from the bottom of the wall. From an existing outlet, cut the sheetrock behind the base to the new location. Pull Romex from the old outlet, inside the wall, to the cut out. Run along the cutout to the new location and up the stud cavity. Install an old work box and outlet. Replace the base and you´ve done a professional job.
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Empower Yourself with the Right Electrical Supplies
A great foundation to your project begins with the right electrical supplies. Audio and video entertainment can be enhanced with MIDI or HDMI cables, and specialty switches such as dimmers or double pole single throw (such as found with garbage disposals) can make all the difference to a room.
Since electrical supplies involve wiring and currents, use child-proof receptacles, GFCIs (ground fault circuit interrupters), and surge protectors as additional safety. If working with an extensive amount of rewiring, don’t forget to use circuit breakers and grounding outlets for efficient maintenance. Timers are also beneficial; use them to control singular or multiple lights or operations.
Familiarizing yourself with the kinds of electrical supplies needed for your home can be a rewarding learning experience. You’ll be able to spot the difference between appliance and power tool cords, identify various fuses, and remember to bring a global converter when traveling abroad. Best of all, you will have enhanced your home as it deserves to be.
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Replacing
When a doorbell quits working, it is usually because of either a bad transformer or a broken wire. Either way, there is a simple way to repair it. Wireless chimes are truly a boon to mankind. You hang the new chime in place of the old one. It is powered by batteries. Replace the old button by the door and the repair is complete. Be sure to cap the old wires and push them back into the wall.
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Unbalanced fans
If your ceiling fan wobbles, it is probably because the blades are of different weights. You can balance the blades by taping a coin, usually a nickel, on the back of the lightest blade. It is a trial and error process to find the lightest blade, but worth the effort.
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Replacing 3-way switches
When replacing a 3-way switch, move the wires from the old switch to the new switch one at a time. This makes it easier to get them in the right place. Unlike a single pole switch, if any of the wires on a 3-way are reversed, the switches won´t work correctly.
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