mrelectrician 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...

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. ...

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...

Completed generator sub-panel with a Square D generator interlock between the utility power main circuit breaker and the generator circuit breaker

Wired Generator Sub-Panel

Dear Mr. Electrician: How do I change over my circuits to a wired generator sub-panel? NOTE: Some text links below go to applicable products on...

Effects of Electricity on the Human Body

Dear Mr. Electrician: What are the effects of electricity on the human body? Answer: Below is a chart that was compiled many years ago of...

Rust inside of old four gang electric meter base

4-Gang Electrical Meter Socket

Dear Mr. Electrician: How do I replace a 4-gang electrical meter socket base? Answer: Replacing a 4-gang electrical meter socket is a multi-step process involving...

An outdoor light fixture with Christmas lights wrapped around it and plugged into the light bulb socket and energized

Holiday Safety Tips

Dear Mr. Electrician: What are some holiday safety tips? I want to ensure my home is safe from fire and electrical shock for the...

Testing a Dishwasher Appliance for Power

Dear Mr. Electrician: How do I go about testing my dishwasher appliance for power? Last night, I tried to wash dishes, but nothing happened. ...

123 Page 2 of 3

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.

Tag: mrelectrician