Articles about Electrical Troubleshooting

How to Wire a Ceiling Fan in an Older Home

I am installing a ceiling fan in an old home where there are three wires in the box, how should I connect the wires? How to Connect the Wires for a Ceiling Fan in an Older Home: The Process for Identifying Wires for a Ceiling Fan.

Why Receptacle Outlets are Not Getting Full Power

Why Do I Only Have 70 Volts on a 120 Volt Receptacle? How to Troubleshoot and Repair Outlet Problems, The Most Common Problem with Electric Outlets and How to Repair Them.

How to Troubleshoot and Repair an Electric Stove Power Problem

What would cause my electric stove to stop working and how can I fix it? Troubleshooting an Electric Stove Power Problem, The Most Common Problems with an Electric Stove Circuit.

Wiring Connections when Adding Light Fixtures

I am adding more light fixtures, the new lights do not work, but the original light does work, what did I do wrong? Common Wiring Problems with Light Fixtures and Dimmer Switches and How to Fix Them.

Possible Causes of Lost Electrical Power

What would cause a circuit to loose power after an electrical storm? How to Diagnose Electrical Problems and Lost Power After Electrical Storm.

Identifying The Cause Of a Dimming Light Circuit

What is causing my lights to be dim? How to Identify and Fix the Cause of Dim Lights, Dim Lights may be a Indication of an Electrical Problem, How to Check Electric Circuit Wiring.

Outside Lights Stopped Working after a Rain Storm

Power runs from the house to an exterior driveway gate where we have two photocell lights on top of rock columns. After heavy rains our outside lights stopped working and a GFCI outlet tripped off.

Identifying GFCI Circuit Problems

Mike in Wyoming asks; How can I find out what is tripping a GFCI Breaker? Problems that Cause GFCI Circuits to Trip, Clearing the GFCI Circuit of Possible Problem Devices.

Cut Extension Cord Causes Power Loss to Outlets

How Can I Fix a Outlet that Lost Power after an Extension Cord Has Been Cut or Damaged? How to Locate and Restore the Power to an Outlet Circuit Has Lost Power.

How to Stop Smoke Detector False Alarms Once and For All

Azad in Illinois asks: Why Do my The Smoke Detectors Keep Going Off During the Night? How to Stop Smoke Detector False Alarms.

Causes of Lost Electrical Power to Outlets

Why have I lost power to my electric outlets? How to Troubleshoot Lost Power to Outlets: Repairing an Outlet Circuit Problem, Circuit Problems or Faults, Checking Outlets and Electrical Circuit Wiring.

GFCI Testers for Outlet Wiring

How to Test and Repair a GFCI Circuit Problem: GFCI Outlets and Nuisance Tripping, Replacing a Faulty GFCI Outlet,
Making Electrical Wire Corrections, Testing and Wiring GFCI Outlets.

How to Repair a Light Switch Circuit

How to Locate and Repair Faulty Electrical Wiring for Lighting: Secrets of Successful Electrical Troubleshooting Methods used to solve the majority of the home electrical problems.

Damaged Extension Cord Causes Outlets to Stop Working

How to Reset GFCI Outlets and Circuit Breakers to Restore Electrical Power: Locating and Testing GFCI Outlets and Circuit Breakers.

Electric Stove Hot Plates Not Heating

Why are my Defy Stove hot plates not heating up all the way? How to Repair or Replace DEFY Hot Plates.

Why Circuit Breakers Trip Off and What To Do Next

What Causes a Circuit Breaker to Trip Off? The Most Common Problems that Cause a Tripping Circuit Breaker.

To Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!
The Non-Contact Electrical Tester

This is a testing tool that is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!
The Plug-In Outlet Tester

This is great to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring, is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect, Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!
The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter

A wire stripping tool used to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.

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Please Note:
Unless otherwise posted, please refer to the following Guidelines when working on Electrical Projects:

Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Electrical Repairs and Circuit Wiring is Best Performed by a Certified Electrician or Licensed Electrical Contractor.

Electrical Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, a Voltage Tester and a Multi Meter.

Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, work with electrical wiring, and the available access to the project area.

Precaution:
Identify the project circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.

Important:
Modifying existing electrical circuits or installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and National Electrical Codes, with a permit and be inspected.