Five Electrical Tasks a Homeowner can do Himself

Simple home electrical repairs are safe if you take the proper precautions

Having electrical work done in your home is a costly matter. If you have a lot of money, its not a big problem. You can hire an electrician to do the job for you. But what if you are saving money for some important matters? What things can you safely do yourself? Here are five electrical tasks a homeowner can do himself: changing light bulbs, wiring a light switch, Installing switch outlets, wiring a receptacle, and wiring a door bell.

Changing light bulbs is as easy as it looks. First you should turn off the switch to avoid electric shock. Then, put the new light bulb in replace of the old one. Be sure that you put it tight. Switch off the light to see if it works. If something wrong happens change the bulb and repeat the steps again. If the old bulb breaks, make sure the breaker is turned off and unscrew it with a pair of pliers.

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Wiring a light switch is not an easy task. First, you must purchase a switch and wire that are good in quality. Attach the hot and ground wires to the proper outlets on the switch. Make sure you know what wire goes where, or you will burn out the switch.

Installing switch outlets is not that hard for you to do. Of course, you must first buy the proper equipment for the installation. Basically the process is the same as for the switch. Purchase a book that shows the proper way to attach the wires.

Wiring a receptacle is also an easy job to do. First, you should do grounding. Be sure to connect the device box ground screw and insulated ground wire together. The wires should be long enough so as to attach to the receptacle green screw.

The black also known as hot wire is attached below the brass screw while the neutral wire or the white wire is attached below the plug silver screw.

Lastly wiring a doorbell would complete the five electrical tasks you can do yourself. Here we mean of the standard doorbell that is used. In order for us to repair, install, or replace a doorbell system we must understand its components first. The power for the system comes from a voltage transformer that is usually installed on a light box in the basement or in the attic near the electrical panel. It is there for accessibility. A transformer transforms one voltage from one value to another. It takes normal residential voltage of about 120, and transforms it down to a safer, lower voltage of usually 16 volts. This permits you to wire the system using low voltage wire of smaller gauge and rating.

Usually, the doorbell unit has two coils one at the back and the other one at the front door. It has movable cores that allow strikers to ring the chimes when a push button is activated. Its system is wired by moving one side of the transformer to the common terminal of the doorbell unit then the other side by the push buttons at each door and then back to the one ring and two ring terminals in the unit. Mostly, the front door is two rings and the back door is one.

There are also wireless doorbells available in hardware and home improvement stores. These are a bit more expensive, but obviously much easier to install.

In the end, those who can do a lot of practical things at home will have a better edge over people who does not know simple things. You will not only save money but you will get the satisfaction of being able to do these things. This will give you confidence and add something important to your life.

Visit www.newburghelectricians.com to find a great electrician in Newburgh, NY. Free guide has tips on 5 tips for hiring an electrician, 5 electrical tasks a homeowner can do himself, how to save on your electric bill, precautions to take when working on electrical wiring, 5 common mistakes to avoid when doing electrical work yourself.

By: James Egan

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