IMPORTANT NOTE FROM AUTHOR: December 21, 2017 (see December 20, 2017 Newsletter) The following review was originally published on November 2, 2017. Within two weeks of publishing it, my Knock stopped working. The interior doorbell was the first thing to malfunction. A week later, the app failed to work if someone pushed the Knock button […]
Surviving the Storm A ferocious Nor’easter lashed central New Hampshire last night and my family and I did a good job of surviving the storm. The howling wind and rain knocked out my electricity before midnight. My cable Internet access was cut as well. It was impossible to get a good night’s sleep. Standby Generator […]
Most houses have a 3 way switch controlling three lights. If wired incorrectly the entire switch won't work. To find the problem, use a circuit tester on each wire. Turn the power off, first!
Follow the National Electric Code when dealing with outdoor lighting or residential wiring. Provide surge protection for your home with a lightning arrestor and protect yourself from electrocution with GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) devices.
Circuit breakers are primarily designed to protect the wiring in your home. They ensure the wires will not overheat which can lead to fires and they also detect short circuits. But if you plug cords into outlets that exceed the voltage the breaker protects, it can spark a fire.
Extension cords come in many sizes, including short extension cords. Electric tools die prematurely because they aren't being fed enough voltage from the cord. I recommend short electrical extension cords for all your equipment. Some have mini circuit breakers.
The electricity goes out and it feels like your entire life is put on hold. A portable generator is the answer. These devices deliver enough wattage to power your residential electricity. Here are some things to consider when buying portable electric generators.
A 3 way switch and 4 way electrical switch can be confusing to understand. A 3 way electrical switch installation is done to control a light from two different places. A 4 way switch is used with a 3 way switch for three or more control spots. The placement of both is important. This video will help you with your 3 way switch wiring.
Household appliances use a lot of wattage. A portable electric generator must be sized correctly to handle the watts (based on amp rating) to power all these things. Here is a wattage table with common wattages for many appliances. The reactive load of these appliances is important when sizing your portable electric generator.
Blackouts, brownouts and storm-related power outages can really disrupt your daily routine. Installing a portable electric generator may seem like a great idea, but it is not that easy. The electric generator has to be connected very carefully to your electrical system.
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