:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/smoke-detector-false-alarms-4768435-01-83c22473ab694eeaa65b70eb2ee858d9.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Lightbulb-718d3da39d5e4aa2832988878c8ce1d6.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/17-Tools-You-May-Need-for-Electrical-Projects-1152575-final-7965f1286f3f4cbebc40bb2438b1935f.png)
Spruce Up Your Inbox!
Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home.
Electrical
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.
-
Amperage vs. Voltage: The Dangers of Electrical Shock -
Tips for Setting Outlet and Wall Switch Boxes at the Correct Height -
How to Calculate Safe Electrical Load Capacities -
What to Know Before You Buy Recessed Lights -
How to Match Bulb Wattage to Light Fixtures -
How to Install a Ground Fault Breaker -
How to Install Hardwired Smoke Detectors -
Different Types of Electrical Boxes in Your Home -
8 Types of Electrical Testers and Their Uses -
How to Convert a Ceiling Light to a Recessed Light -
Recessed Canister Lights Review: Pros and Cons -
When to Use a Metal or a Plastic Electrical Box -
How to Determine the Size of Your Main Electrical Service -
How to Install an Old Work (Retrofit) Electrical Box -
Average Costs for 12 Common Electrical Projects -
How to Install an Electrical Junction Box
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/amperage-not-voltage-kills-1152476-48ee34a39c4248268f3c63b16a46256d.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Electrician-Working-on-GFCI-in-Kitchen-185268524-57ab417f5f9b58974a00355a.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/overloaded-socket-466112843-resized-56a27fb53df78cf77276bc4f.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/before-you-buy-recessed-lights-2175005-recirc-00fe987f7ba44677bf217b2efc85c989.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/wrong-light-bulb-wattage-1152517-hero-c543f9b8d34942bc954edd97003bde6c.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/electrician-upgrading-a-homes-distribution-board-958969076-5c61c76446e0fb0001dcd5d1.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SmokeDetector-e17afe58f9c147068db44d0eb85fa1d3.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/electrical-switch-and-junction-boxes-1824666_02_standardrectangular-7c01a80666824af4a33ddd556abfe201-d31e6ea615cf48bd8e9165fe3fba589b.jpeg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/top-electrical-tools-1152575_10_voltagetester_3257-540b90f4e65a48ec81b4b28e860e2b90.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/convert-ceiling-light-to-recessed-light-p2-1821561-hero-1fd056c75f4c453b911a9ab5ea211d71.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/recessed-lighting-pros-and-cons-1821552-01-f1dbbaf935cd41c09689b532aabea1de.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/plastic-vs-metal-electrical-box-1821522_hero-de11812cdb1b4174b0fea6cc2fb5ffd4.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/electrical-service-size-of-my-home-1152752-hero-643025ff9f354f3ca76eb414792cce64.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/install-old-work-electrical-box-1824655-hero-5f0ebb1c9ba9462493cf5c58157ec918.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/electrical-project-costs-1152463-04-55609fa6deb74a42923b74ae86d9d6a7.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-install-junction-boxes-1152327-hero-58c5720f8fd54c7bb1d7eb8e4a6b881a.jpg)
:strip_icc()/GettyImages-885992120-b50ed5a7b5b347e89ad7d2ad44e80980.jpg)
:strip_icc()/directly-above-shot-of-telephone-pole-against-wall-1289040883-5602cb72b8c64864a9a678813903b94f.jpg)
:strip_icc()/woman-switching-fuse-in-fuse-box-close-up-of-hand-78311973-58c19ea53df78c353c2f2e17.jpg)
-
How to Select the Right Lighting for Your Closet -
How to Insulate Electrical Boxes -
11 Tips for Safe Outdoor Lighting -
Why You Should Avoid Using Plug Adapters -
How to Connect an Electric Meter -
Understanding the Terms "Line" and "Load" in Electrical Systems -
Top 10 Residential Uses for Solar Energy -
6 Tips for Installing Electrical Boxes in Walls -
Calculating Subpanel Loads -
Inside Your Main Electrical Service Panel -
Choosing a Safe Electrical Extension Cord -
Basics of Residential Electric Service Drops -
Electrical Code Requirements by Room -
How to Change the Size of a Ceiling Light Fixture Hole -
Underground vs. Overhead Service Feeders -
Line or Load With GFCI Connection
:strip_icc()/500786211-crop-56a343f53df78cf7727c98a7.jpg)
:strip_icc()/infrared-thermal-imaging-camera-pointing-to-wall-outlet-161332982-5c6994f3c9e77c00012e0f3f.jpg)
:strip_icc()/lighting-5a7362086bf06900374257f2.jpg)
:strip_icc()/iStock-173835360-59d79c8d685fbe0010f3f1cd.jpg)
:strip_icc()/electric-meter-on-house-157422294-c47afc54dc4b49d28a8ca1a5d2033a72.jpg)
:strip_icc()/line-and-load-171106499-resized-56a27fb55f9b58b7d0cb58f4.jpg)
:strip_icc()/Top-uses-for-solar-energy-1152263-ADD-Final-afbb03111150453d9bf8fd3d30366945.png)
:strip_icc()/Plasticelectricalbox-GettyImages-173870797-59fff27ab39d030019cc0d57.jpg)
:strip_icc()/GettyImages-137547062-5b2e59a13de4230036308a81.jpg)
:strip_icc()/LoadCenter-567f54445f9b586a9ec531a2.jpg)
:strip_icc()/select-proper-electrical-extension-cord-1824710-01-9ba7a780829143ff878f655fa684ed17.jpg)
:strip_icc()/ElectricServiceDrop-5bbfc876c9e77c00517cd227.jpg)
:strip_icc()/close-up-of-cords-plugged-into-power-strip-482141903-57fe97e73df78cbc28606ef4.jpg)
:strip_icc()/Kitchendiningroomceilinglights-GettyImages-915093832-39b926089a9b430f999c5df0145226f1.jpg)
:strip_icc()/Overheadpowerlines-GettyImages-694188396-596428853df78cdc68c068ad.jpg)
:strip_icc()/metal-countertop-and-electrical-outlet-95445753-57ffb9c65f9b5805c27e3ff3.jpg)
In this section
-
Understanding Electrical Current Flow in Circuits -
A Guide to Screw-in Fuses -
Home Electrical Basics 101 -
Electrical Service Panel Basics Homeowners Should Know -
Light Bulb Letter and Number Codes -
7 Common Causes of House Fires and How to Prevent Them -
What to Expect During an Electrical Inspection -
Circuit Breaker Brands Matter -
Understanding Fuses and Fuse Boxes -
Does Wattage Matter? -
What Size Light Bulb Can I Use? -
Bathroom Codes and Design Best Practices -
What Is an Electrical Subpanel? -
How to Install Underground Cable -
Is It Legal to Do Your Own Electrical Work? -
Electrical Code Requirements for Bathrooms
:strip_icc()/GettyImages-1069782978-5bf8967146e0fb00512bf7b9.jpg)
:strip_icc()/old-fuse-box-482257231-e001cdffd4394a64b93009f47ac0d741.jpg)
:strip_icc()/close-up-of-illuminated-lamp-on-night-table-by-bed-at-home-1024925578-c3c62158586145f5807f991afeef6838.jpg)
:strip_icc()/ShutOffCircuitBreaker-ae9af95b23974bb1ae24cf922033eceb.jpg)
:strip_icc()/light-bulb-on-table-studio-shoot--space-for-copy--948444796-d43494f261a34d1495ca4f1b5ee498f1.jpg)
:strip_icc()/causes-of-house-fires-1835107-hero-ed85667f357d4b1b9e63c1e57f67e372.jpg)
:strip_icc()/GettyImages-563009345-58f6a13e3df78ca1594a4189.jpg)
:strip_icc()/GettyImages-155393080-5a2ac879d92b09001a827038.jpg)
:strip_icc()/electrician-working-at-a-fuse-box-183816841-5877c5075f9b584db3490d1a.jpg)
:strip_icc()/low-angle-view-of-illuminated-light-bulbs-hanging-against-wall-678916651-5add0523fa6bcc003687bb0b.jpg)
:strip_icc()/what-size-light-bulb-to-use-2175029-HERO-01-992d0e1517ed43ba90db12038752385a.jpg)
:strip_icc()/modern-bathroom-184096562-585962315f9b586e022f6ec2.jpg)
:strip_icc()/GettyImages-184303809-5845d1253df78c0230340459.jpg)
:strip_icc()/underground-electricity-supply-815169042-32965ac9e7104fffa52b714f65eb4abf.jpg)
:strip_icc()/184359278-56a49e233df78cf772834a95.jpg)
:strip_icc()/sink-and-bathtub-in-luxury-bathroom-748316171-5c455a704cedfd00016a83d7.jpg)
:strip_icc()/light-switch-breaker-overloads-4132428-01-c3b28bd602ea4d5e8b44fbeeabf1b40f.jpg)
:strip_icc()/78317900-56a27fa83df78cf77276bb55.jpg)
:strip_icc()/electrical-outlet-recepticle-183320600-5893e9a65f9b5874ee532605.jpg)
-
7 Best Tips for Installing Retrofit Recessed Lighting -
Tips for Identifying Light Switches in Your Home -
Polarized Electrical Plugs -
How to Replace a Wall-Mounted Light Fixture (Sconce) -
Using Motion Sensor Light Switches -
Octagon Electrical Boxes and Their Uses -
How to Shut Off Your Home Gas Supply Valve -
Plastic Electrical Boxes Pros and Cons -
How to Install Electric Radiant Floors -
Understanding the Markings on Electrical Switches -
5 Types of Bathroom Lighting -
Isolated Ground Receptacles -
Electrical Remodeling Tricks, Tips, and Hacks -
How Does a Light Switch Work? -
How Does Track Lighting Work? -
What Is a Weatherhead?
:strip_icc()/tricks-for-retrofit-recessed-light-installation-1821539-hero-e7da4dbacb3b4790a311b6b92b656755.jpg)
:strip_icc()/electrician-replacing-a-switch-157400061-5877ca625f9b584db3541355.jpg)
:strip_icc()/polarized-plug-adapter-128400266-583347145f9b58d5b161db8b.jpg)
:strip_icc()/element-of-modern-interior-at-contemporary-house-1263294934-a0ef9a0a2bcd41a9820bb9e9b072dfaa.jpg)
:strip_icc()/motion-sensor-58eae3fc5f9b58ef7e6622b1.jpg)
:strip_icc()/octagon-boxes-1152544_hero-fa31a09027e94314a49e6fa7a9244e69.jpg)
:strip_icc()/90445957-56a4a2965f9b58b7d0d7ef10.jpg)
:strip_icc()/plastic-electrical-boxes-pros-and-cons-1152405_hero-6cc9f7bbe1094bdc8a5885449fc10afd.jpg)
:strip_icc()/TileBathroomFloor-78d6726a98fa4c0bb937ace1a2cc48e2.jpg)
:strip_icc()/african-american-woman-fixing-light-switch-519516307-5a57d3c87bb28300375a77a0.jpg)
:strip_icc()/BathroomCeilingLight-29232d5114ad47d39f1adc91d084ae4f.jpg)
:strip_icc()/white-leviton-electrical-outlets-receptacles-5362-igw-64_1000-5c549037c9e77c00016b2d04.jpg)
:strip_icc()/Electrical-wires-GettyImages-186842271-58ff87933df78ca1596ebedd.jpg)
:strip_icc()/200526811-001-56a5a63e5f9b58b7d0ddd35e.jpg)
:strip_icc()/track-lighting-58b840385f9b5880809bbbd9.jpg)
:strip_icc()/power-mast-with-weather-head-protecting-electrical-service-line-985159238-7a8dc5736f184e5981fb30c639d6bb64.jpg)