Mr. Electrician Archives

An eight foot driven ground rod with an acorn style ground rod clamp and number four copper wire for lightning protection

Grounding Electrode System

Dear Mr. Electrician: How do I install a grounding rod as part of the grounding electrode system for my house? An electrician told me...

Front and Rear of an Old Style Ceiling Electrical Pancake Box for Knob and Tube Wiring

Replace Old Ceiling Pancake Box

Dear Mr. Electrician: Should I replace an old ceiling pancake box with a new ceiling light fixture installation? After removing the existing light fixture...

Three very old non-grounding type electrical receptacle outlets

To Ground A Two Prong Outlet

Dear Mr. Electrician: What do I need to do to ground a two-prong outlet? I want to replace the two-prong outlet with a three-prong...

A Four-Way Switch Wiring Diagram depicting the LINE and the LOAD in two separate switch boxes. A two conductor cable with a grounding conductor supply's power from the source to the first three-way switch. From the first switch a three conductor cable goes to the first four-way switch and then to the next four-way switch and ends at the last three-way switch. The white neutral conductor is spliced through each switch box until it is connected to the white LOAD wire in the two conductor cable that goes to the lighting LOAD or ceiling fan. The black LOAD wire terminates on the 3-way switch common screw terminal. Travelers are connected on the 4-ways according to the manufacturers' instructions.

Four-Way Switch Diagrams

Dear Mr. Electrician: I need four-way switch diagrams to figure out how to wire four-way switches. Answer: You can see my four-way switch diagrams above...

A photo of a wood dovetail construction joint that you can make after setting up your wood shop

Setting Up A Woodshop

Dear Mr. Electrician: How do I go about setting up a woodshop at home? Answer: Setting up a woodshop in your home involves careful planning. ...

Some of my electricians hole saws and arbors

Electrical Conduit Hole Saw Sizes

Dear Mr. Electrician: What are the actual electrical conduit hole saw sizes for the various trade sizes of electrical conduit? Answer: Electrical conduit hole saw...

Example of labeling on PVC electrical conduit

Electrical Conduit Types With Electrical Code References

Dear Mr. Electrician: What are the various electrical conduit types and their electrical code references? I would like to know the uses for each...

This photo depicts the removal of an old plastic one-gang switch box by prying it away from the wood stud with a flathead screwdriver

Adding Bathroom Fan Switch

Dear Mr. Electrician, How do I add a bathroom fan switch to my existing bathroom light switch so that I can control my bathroom...

Bare Kitchen walls after all old cabinets, counter top, and appliances have been removed

Extend Kitchen Electrical Outlets

Dear Mr. Electrician: How do I extend the kitchen electrical outlets from the wall a little so I can add ceramic tile? Answer: Using electrical box...

Wiremold V5703 Support Clip with a toggle bolt through it ready to be pushed into the hole in the ceiling

Wiremold Garage Ceiling Outlet

Dear Mr. Electrician: How do I install a Wiremold garage ceiling outlet using a surface metal raceway on the ceiling to power my electric...

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When you get to the construction phase of your home renovation project, you must be mindful of your personal safety as well as the safety of people and property that may be in proximity to your work. I wash my hands frequently while working because I come in contact with all kinds of things. I always have hand wipes available. Hard hats, gloves, and safety glasses offer the very basic personal protection. For certain tasks additional safety precautions need to be taken. For instance when working around live electricity, an electrician would need insulated tools and gloves rated for the voltages that he or she works on. Additionally it is important to conduct yourself in a safe manner during construction. Be mindful of heavy lifting or reaching in awkward positions. Use a ladder when working on the ceiling, or anything high for that matter. Chairs, buckets, milk crates, and anything else not made to be stood on, should not be stood on. One bad fall can change your life forever.

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