Whether you’re changing an outlet, light fixture or switch, the first thing you need to know is how to wire an outlet and light switch. We explain what all those different colored wires are for.
Tracer wire, also called locating wire or locator wire, helps locate pipes and other assets after they’ve been buried in the ground.
There’s an easy way to check your outlets to see if they’re grounded or not. Grounded outlets have three slots, while ungrounded outlets only have two. The rounded, D-shaped slot is the one connected to the ground wire. If you have a newer home, chances are good that you have a ...
In America, almost all wall outlets use AC (Alternating Current) power that is converted by the computer power supply to DC (direct current) power for a computer. Other parts of the world usually have DC power outlets and look different then the outlet pictured on this page....
A 30-amp circuit can take up many small appliances. As a rule of thumb, you can put up to 16 outlets on a single 30-amp circuit. Only use wire size AWG 8 for 30 amp draws to keep it intact. You can use appliances like a coffee maker, kettle, hair dryer, and more on these 30...
While the neutral wire directs the current to a ground at the panel, the ground wire is extra protection. You may not find a ground wire in your junction boxes or outlets. They’re normally not found in older homes. However, they perform an important job and are anexcel...
thereby helping to eliminate the risk of electric shock. When a device is plugged in to a compatible outlet, electricity is fed into the device via the receptacle, which is wired, usually within inner walls, to an electrical panel or main power source. Another wire then carries the electric...
What’s the most important thing about GFI outlets? They can -- and do -- save lives. Find out more about why and where you need GFI outlets in your household. What is a GFI Outlet? Short for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, a GFI (also known as GFCI) is a type of electrical ...
a device and a router. A LAN is wireless and wireless routers can be connected with WAN ports for connecting the router's signal. A WAN port is an ordinary single/dual jack ethernet/copper wire port that connects to the Internet, usually in a home or office. It can be used for: ...
Within this overall setup, all of the wires for the different outlets and lights in the house each have a separate circuit breaker or fuse. If the circuit breaker is on, then power flows through the wire in the wall and makes its way eventually to its final destination, the outlet. Grid...