Knowing the basics of home electricity is super important for any homeowner. It helps you understand how things work and how to fix simple problems. From changing a lightbulb to figuring out why the power went out, these basics can save you time and money. In this article, we’ll go over the most important things you need to know about home electricity and how to handle common repairs. Whether you’re a beginner or just need a refresher, this guide will give you the confidence to deal with electrical issues safely and effectively.
See also: How to ground electrical wires?
Home electrical basics and terminology
Components
- Service Panel (Breaker Box): This metal box contains circuit breakers that control and protect individual circuits in your house.
- Circuit: It’s the path electricity follows to power specific outlets, lights, or appliances.
- Circuit Breaker: This is a safety switch that trips (cuts power) if a circuit becomes overloaded.
- Wire: These are insulated cables that carry electricity. They come in different colours:
- Black or Red: Hot wires (carry electricity)
- White or Gray: Neutral wires (return path for electricity)
- Bare Copper or Green: Ground wire (safety path for excess current)
- Outlet: A socket where you plug in electrical cords.
- Switch: It controls the flow of electricity to lights or appliances (on/off).
Basic electrical terms
- Amp (A): It’s a unit of electrical current, which measures the amount of electricity flowing through a wire.
- Volt (V): This unit measures electrical pressure, which is the force pushing electricity through a wire.
- Watt (W): It’s a unit of electrical power, which measures the rate at which an appliance converts electricity to work.
- Grounding: This involves connecting a metal appliance part to a grounding wire for safety, which helps prevent electric shock.
Replacing a light switch or fixture
Turn off the power
Before starting any electrical work, it’s crucial to ensure your safety by cutting off the power. Locate the main circuit breaker box in your home and find the breaker switch that controls the light you’ll be working on. Flip the switch to the “off” position. To be absolutely certain the power is off, use a voltage tester to check the wires for any remaining electrical charge.
Remove the switch plate
With the power off, it’s safe to begin the process of replacing the light switch. Using a screwdriver, carefully unscrew and remove the cover plate from the wall. This plate covers the electrical box containing the switch and wiring.
Disconnect and remove the old switch
After removing the cover plate, you’ll see the old light switch mounted inside the electrical box. Unscrew the mounting screws securing the switch in place. With the screws removed, gently pull the switch out of the box, being careful not to damage the wires connected to it.
Identify and disconnect wires
Once the old switch is out of the way, it’s time to identify and disconnect the wires. Most switches will have three wires: black or red (live), white (neutral), and bare copper or green (ground). Depending on the type of switch, these wires may be connected using either screw terminals or push-in terminals. Use caution and appropriate tools to disconnect the wires from the old switch.
Connect the new switch
With the old switch removed and wires disconnected, it’s time to install the new switch. Match the wire colours from the old switch to the corresponding terminals on the new switch. If using screw terminals, secure the wires under the screws and tighten. For push-in terminals, strip the wire ends, insert them into the terminals until they click, and ensure they are firmly seated.
Install and test
Once all the wires are securely connected to the new switch, carefully insert the switch back into the electrical box. Secure it in place with the mounting screws. After ensuring everything is properly installed, reattach the cover plate and screw it into place. Finally, restore power at the circuit breaker box and test the new switch to ensure it functions correctly.
Changing a light bulb or outlet
Turn off the light switch
Make sure the light switch is turned off to cut power to the fixture before changing the bulb.
Remove the old bulb
Gently unscrew the old bulb counter-clockwise if it’s a screw-in type or follow the fixture’s instructions for bayonet mount bulbs.
Screw in the new bulb
Carefully screw the new bulb clockwise into the socket until it’s snug. Avoid over tightening to prevent damage.
Test the new bulb
After installing the new bulb, turn on the light switch to ensure the bulb is working properly.
Installing a ceiling fan (if pre-wired)
Prepare the installation area
Clear the area beneath the ceiling fan of any furniture or obstacles that could hinder the installation process. Having a helper to support the fan during installation might be beneficial.
Remove the existing light fixture (if applicable)
If you’re replacing a light fixture, carefully follow the instructions to remove it. Ensure the power is turned off before proceeding.
Locate the junction box
Identify the metal electrical box with wires protruding from it. This box serves as the connection point for your new ceiling fan.
Identify the pre-wired wires
Typically, you’ll find four wires coming from the junction box: black or red (hot wire), white (neutral wire), bare copper or green (ground wire), and optionally blue (for fan speed control).
Make the electrical connections
Carefully match and connect the corresponding wires from the fan to those in the ceiling box. Ensure all connections are secure and use wire nuts to cap the ends.
Mounting the fan
Securely attach the mounting bracket to the junction box using the provided screws. Then, hang the fan assembly onto the bracket and follow the instructions to complete the installation, including attaching the blades and any additional components.
Final touches
Once the fan is mounted, test it by turning the power back on at the breaker box. Use the switches to test the fan speed and light (if applicable). Ensure everything is functioning correctly before attaching the decorative canopy to hide the electrical connections.
Resetting a tripped breaker
Turn off all lights and appliances
While optional, turning off all lights and appliances helps prevent overloading the circuit again when you reset the breaker. It also aids in identifying the cause if the breaker trips again.
Turn the breaker handle to the off position
Ensure the breaker handle is switched all the way to the off position. You might hear a click indicating it’s properly turned off.
Wait for a few seconds
Allow a few seconds for any residual power to dissipate from the circuit.
Push the breaker handle back to the on position
Firmly push the breaker handle back to the on position. Listen for a click to confirm it has reset successfully.
If the Breaker trips again
If the breaker flips back to the off position immediately, refrain from repeatedly resetting it. This indicates a persistent overload, which could damage the wiring.
Identify and resolve the overload
Identify the appliances connected to the overloaded circuit and unplug them. Reset the breaker and gradually plug in appliances one by one to identify the culprit. Avoid overloading circuits in the future and consider consulting an electrician if necessary.
Replacing a damaged extension cord (by cutting and re-wiring)
While it might seem like a quick solution to replace a damaged extension cord by rewiring the plug, it’s actually not recommended due to important safety concerns. Firstly, a damaged cord could have internal fraying or broken wires, which could result in overheating, sparking, or even electrical fires. Simply replacing the plug doesn’t address these underlying issues. Also, rewiring a plug requires proper technique and tools to ensure secure connections. Without these, loose or faulty connections could lead to further risks of overheating and fires. Therefore, the safest course of action is to discard the damaged cord and purchase a new extension cord. New cords are affordable and widely available, ensuring your safety and peace of mind.
Tools and materials to keep for basic safety
- Non-contact voltage tester
- Flashlight
- Screwdrivers (flathead and Phillips)
- Wire strippers (optional)
- Fire extinguisher (multi-purpose ABC type)
- Smoke detectors (install in all sleeping areas)
- Carbon monoxide detector (install outside sleeping areas)
- Fire escape ladder (if applicable for upper floors)
- First-aid kit
- Instant cold compress
- Bandages and gauze pads
- Antiseptic wipes
- Non-latex disposable gloves
- Fire blanket
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Multi-tool
- Work gloves
- Dust mask
- Fireproof document bag
FAQs
Always turn off the power at the breaker box and double-check with a voltage tester.
Breaker box, circuits, wires (black/red hot, white/neutral, bare copper/ground), outlets, and switches.
Amps measure electrical current (amount of electricity flowing), volts measure electrical pressure (force pushing electricity), and watts measure electrical power (rate at which an appliance converts electricity to work).
Avoid overloading circuits, don't use damaged cords, and have faulty wiring repaired by a qualified electrician.
Consult a qualified electrician to assess the safety and functionality of your outdated wiring system. What should I do before working on any electrical wiring?
What are some common electrical components in my home?
What's the difference between amps, volts, and watts?
How can I prevent electrical fires?
What if my house has old wiring (e.g., knob and tube)?
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
