Electrical: Safety, How Tos & DIY Repairs

Understanding the wires, circuits, and more in your home can help you make safer repairs and upgrades. Here's all you need to know for DIY electrical work on circuits, outlets, breakers, and more.
Kitchen outlet with electric kettle across from mug and french press coffee maker
Basics You Must Know About Kitchen Electrical Code
Installing recessed lighting in ceiling
How to Install Recessed Lighting
Lightbulb
The Difference Between Watts vs. Volts
voltage check
Amperage, Not Voltage, Poses the Greatest Danger With Electrical Shock
Light bulb held in hand in front of empty light fixture
How to Match Bulb Wattage to Light Fixtures
voltage tester
8 Electrical Testers Used by Electricians
Main electrical service utility box with door open and yellow wires coming from sides
Determining the Size of Your Main Electrical Service
Outlet or wall switch boxes placed in different heights
How to Set Standard Outlet and Light Switch Heights
Ground fault breaker installed inside home service panel
Install a GFCI Circuit Breaker to Protect an Entire Circuit
Recessed lighting held up by hand with light on
How to Convert a Ceiling Light to a Recessed Light
Old Work (Retrofit) Electrical Box Installed in White Wall
How to Install an Old Work Electrical Box in an Existing Wall
Green electrical strip with multiple load capacities and white and black cables being plugged in
Learn How to Calculate Safe Electrical Load Capacities
Hardwired smoke detector installed on wall
How to Install Hardwired Smoke Detectors
recessed lighting
Pros and Cons of Recessed Can Lights
replacing an outlet plate
Common Electrical Projects and How Much They Cost
recessed ceiling light
Everything You Need to Know About Recessed Lighting
electric box
A Handy Visual Guide to Electrical Boxes
Plastic and metal electrical box
When to Use a Plastic or Metal Electrical Box
Electrical junction box being nailed to wooden post for installation
Follow These Steps to Install an Electrical Junction Box
Walk-in closet with recessed and hanging lighting and white cabinets and shelving
Learn How to Select the Right Lighting for Your Closet
Electric meter on house
How an Electric Meter Is Wired
How to Calculate Subpanel Loads
Calculating Loads for Electrical Subpanel Sizing
light switch on wall
Electrical Code Rules for Every Room in the House
Electrical box with surrounding insulation
Reduce Your Energy Costs With Electrical Box Insulation
Electrical panelboard
The Difference Between Electrical Line and Load
Electrical Service Panel
Understanding Your Home's Breaker Box
bistro lighting
11 Ways to Ensure the Safety of Your Outdoor Lighting
Uses for solar energy illustration
10 Ways You Can Use Solar Energy in Your Home
electronic plugged into an extension cord
Use the Right Extension Cord Gauge for the Job
Overhead power lines near residential homes.
Underground vs. Overhead Electrical Service Feeders
Grounded adapter for an electrical outlet
This is Why You Should Never Use Plug Adapters
Plastic electrical box
6 Tips for Installing Electrical Boxes in Walls
Electric Service Drop
A Service Drops Brings Electricity to Your House
Metal countertop and electrical outlet
Difference Between Line and Load With GFCI Outlets
Illuminated pendant lights with incandescent amber bulbs hanging at home
How Does the Electricity Flow at Your House?
Light bulb on table studio shoot. Space for copy.
What Do Those Letters and Numbers on Light Bulbs Mean?
Old fuse box
Understanding Fuses and Fuse Boxes
Residential Circuit Breaker Panel with Service Writing
An Electrical Subpanel Allows Extra Circuits to Be Added
Fuse box with screw-in fuses
How Do Fuses and Fuse Boxes Work?
White candle sticks on brass candle holders in front of wicker chair with patterned pillows
How to Protect Your Home Against 7 Common Causes of Fire
Low Angle View Of Illuminated Light Bulbs Hanging Against Wall
When Does Wattage Matter?
underground electricity supply
How to Install Underground Electrical Cables Yourself
Close-Up Of Illuminated Lamp On Night Table By Bed At Home
Learn the Basics of Your Home's Electrical System
Electrician installing electricity, generating power in a home remodel
What Are the Requirements for Electrical Inspector Checkpoints?
person screwing a light bulb into a lamp
How to Tell What Size Light Bulb You Can Use
Installation of a switch box
Is It Legal to Do Your Own Electrical Work?
Shut Off Circuit Breaker to Heater
Electrical Service Panel Basics Homeowners Should Know
circuit breaker
Brands Matter When Replacing or Adding Defective Circuit Breaker
Motion sensor light switch
Motion Sensor Light Switches and Their Uses
Electrical wires
5 Handy Electrical Remodeling Tricks and Tips
Octagon electrical box
Choosing the Right Octagon Electrical Box for Your Next Project
African American woman fixing light switch
Understanding the Markings on Electrical Switches
Woman turning off light switch on green wallpapered wall, close-up
How Do Light Switches Works?
Closeup of polarized plug adapter
What's a Polarized Electrical Plug?
gas meter supply valve
How to Find and Shut Off Your Home's Natural Gas Supply
Track Lighting System
Expert Tips and Tricks for Track Lighting Beginners
Stylish small golden lamp sconce installed on red brick wall closeup
How to Install a Wall-Mounted Sconce
Plastic electrical box
When to Use a Plastic Junction Box
White industrial grade isolated ground duplex outlet
What Are Isolated Ground Receptacles?
Power mast with weather-head protecting electrical service line
The Weatherhead Protects Electrical Service Wires
Plug fuse test
How To Test Plug Fuses
The Cree standard 40 or 60 watt LED light bulb
Why You Should Get LED Light Bulbs Instead of 60 Watt Light Bulbs
Electrician drilling an outlet in a wall
Keeping Safe on Ladders When Doing Electrical Work
Lighting Costs Money
How Efficient Is Your lighting?