Electrical Tutorials

First things first, SAFETY!

When ever you do electrical work of ANY kind, TURN OFF THE POWER!!

This may be at a breaker of fuse box. Just turning off the light switch is NOT GOOD ENOUGH!

If your not sure where to turn the power off, then well, don't do any electrical work!

Second, this is a BASIC guide to electrical installations, it is NOT intended to replace a Licensed professional. Most electrical work requires a Permit. Most jurisdictions do not allow a home owner to Permit his or her own electrical work.

For good reason, electricity can kill. It is a major cause of fires and can shock or kill through electrocution. Improperly installed electrical wiring is not only illegal, it can be fatal.

HOW TO PROPERLY RESET YOUR CIRCUIT BREAKER

Grasp the circuit breaker handle between your thumb and fore finger and firmly push to the "off" position. You should here or feel it "click". This is "reset".

Now, keeping your figures on it, firmly push to the "On" position.

You should have successfully reset your tripped breaker.

If it trips again, there may be an uncleared fault or overload condition.

INSTALLING A DIMMER OR SWITCH

• Turn off all power in the house.
• Turn off switch.
• Remove screws from switch cover.
• Remove old switch or dimmer.
• Install new switch with wire nuts.
• Install screws to attach switch or dimmer to switch box.
• Re-Install cover plate with screws.
• Turn on house power.
• Turn on switch or dimmer.

LEARN HOW-TO-INSTALL A LIGHT FIXTURE

First:

• Turn off all power in the house.
• Turn off the light switch.
• Remove old fixture: lamps (light bulbs), first; lens or glass shades, next.

• Remove the canopy nut if present. If not, remove the two screws holding the fixture to the fixture strap or outlet box.
• Remove the wire connectors (wire nuts).

• Unpack and read all directions.
• Assemble the frame or base.
• Attach fixture strap, if available, to outlet box.
• Attach wire connectors.
• Attach fixture to box or strap with screws provided or with canopy nut.
• Install recommended lamps (light bulbs)
• Install lens or glass shade.
• Turn on power to the house. Turn on switch.

CEILING FANS 101

Ceiling or paddle fans are relatively easy to install.

• Make sure your outlet box is UL listed for ceiling fan support.
• Turn off all power to house.
• Turn off switch.
• Open ceiling fan box and read all directions.
• Follow all directions of manufacturer.
• Attach green fan wire to bare house wire.
• Attach white fan wire to white house wire.
• Attach black fan wire to black house wire.
• Slide canopy up, attach with screw provided.
• Attach blades. Turn on house power. Turn on switch.

CHECKING OUT THE SMOKE DETECTOR

Most newer homes, or those recently remodeled, will have inter-linked smoke detectors. These will sound off as one large unit in case of any unit detecting smoke.

If one unit chirps, usually it is the battery in the unit. Even "hardwired" or 120 volt units utilize a battery as aback up. If the battery looses its charge, often the unit will chirp.

Replace the battery, if this fails.

Give us a call.

ENERGY CONSERVATION TIPS

Get your electrical system checked out. Loose connections can build up enormous heat, which you are paying for in terms of additional and un-used kilowatt hours.

Get a hard start kit, if you have an older a/c unit. Less energy will be demanded on the frequent start-ups.

You've heard it a hundred times, turn your thermostat to 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter. Better yet, invest in a digital thermostat that automatically adjusts the temperature while you're away at work. Balance your load, most watt hour meters for homes use the higher of the two phases to calculate your electric bill. If the load were in balance, you could save as much as 15% of your electrical utility bill.

ENERGY CONSERVATION CALCULATOR

This energy calculator is provided by the U.S. Government and can assist you in saving you money on energy.
http://hes.lbl.gov.