How to installed a switch
Starting with the wiring. When you turn on a light switch, power goes to the light through the hot black wire and then back through the neutral white wire to the ground. The bare ground wires are a backup to divert the power safely away in case of an electrical fault.
A light switch operates by opening and closing an electrical circuit. Light switches usually have an internal cam or “shoulder” that moves back and forth as you flip the switch. The shoulder pushes a metal contact away from the power source to turn off the switch, and it lets the contact touch the power source to turn on the switch.
Upgrading or replacing a light switch is easy. Shut off the power at the circuit-breaker box, then remove the cover from the old switch. Two black wires should be attached to the switch’s two terminal screws.
The white wires will be connected to each other but not to the switch itself. This connection is should be secured by a plastic wire nut. The ground wires (bare or green) will be connected to each other and attached to the grounding screw on the switch.
To disconnect the wires from the old switch, turn the power off at the circuit-breaker box. Use a circuit tester to be sure the power is off. Hold one test lead against the bare ground wire, and touch the other lead to both of the black wires attached to the switch.
If the tester shows there is no power, go ahead and remove the switch from the junction box by taking out the retaining screws. Disconnect the wires from the switch by loosening the terminal screws (leave the white wires connected). Work with only one color of wire at a time.
Reconnect Wires to New Switch. Reconnect the black wires to the new switch. Secure the switch to the junction box and replace the cover.
How to install a ceiling fan
Make sure the electricity is turned off. Always turn off the breaker before working with any electricity. Read through the manufacturer’s instructions and assemble all the tools you’ll need. Then you need to put up a support brace between the ceiling joists where you want the fan, because fans can weigh up to 50 pounds.
If your ceiling is covered with drywall, you’ll need to access the joists through the attic to attach the support brace. If you’re attaching the fan where a light has already been, that’s all you need to do, but if it’s a new area, you’ll then need to cut a piece of drywall the size of your electrical box from the ceiling, so that you attach an electrical box to house the fan. After taking the old light off, add the ceiling-fan bracket by screwing it into the electrical box with a couple of screws.
Identify the wiring that is coming out of the electrical box. Usually a bare copper ground wire, the black hot wire and the white neutral wire. They will give electricity to the fan. There’s also a green ground wire that goes to the fan itself. Put the fan motor in by slipping the swivel ball into the bracket.
Match the wires from the electrical box to the wires from the ceiling fan, following the manufacturer’s instructions and twisting them. Fasten the ends together with wire nuts. Bring extra wire nuts when you go up on the ladder, so you won’t have to come back down to get more if you drop one. Stuff the wires back into the electrical box and attach the cover. Slip the cover’s keyhole slots over the screws to keep the cover in place. Finish attaching the screws and slip the trim ring over the screws to cover them up.
Attach each of the fan blades to its bracket. You can save some time by assembling the fan blades before you install the fan. Use screws and a screwdriver to attach the fan blade brackets into the appropriate notches on the fan motor. Attach the light by clicking the light connector to the corresponding fan connector and then screwing the fixture to the fan. Snap the dome over the light or screw it in.
How to replace an electrical outlet
Turn off the breakers and the electricity to the room and use a tester to make sure there is no power running through the wires. Remove the socket plate and outlet and inspect the wires. Test the outlet again to be sure there is no power at all. If there was fire damage and it has melted the protective plastic sheathing, you should hire a professional electrician.
Now to remove the outlet. If the wiring is good, unscrew the wires and remove the damaged outlet receptacle. Start by removing the black (hot) wire, loosen the screw that holds it by turning it counterclockwise, do the same to remove the white (neutral) wire, and then the ground wire. Using a wire cutter / stripper, snip off about a 1/2 inch from the end of the wires and strip off an inch of the protective plastic coating.
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) reduces the risk of a serious or lethal shock and electrical fires. They are mandatory building code in all kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor areas. GFCI outlets continuously monitor the electrical current traveling through the circuit and will immediately cut power to the receptacle if it detects any change.
Attach new outlet receptacle. GFCI receptacles are stab-back receptacles. Rather than wrapping the exposed wire around the corresponding screws, the wires are inserted (stabbed) into the designated hole at the back of the receptacle then secured with the adjacent screw. The black wire, or hot / live line, gets inserted into the hole with the brass screw. The white wire, or neutral line, gets inserted into the hole with the silver screw. The green wire, or ground line, gets inserted into the hole with the green screw.
Then you have to test it. Wrap the exposed metal of the receptacle with electrical tape. Wrapping the metal prevents sparking if the receptacle needs to be removed again for repair. Also, if a foreign metal object were to hit the exposed metal while the receptacle was live, there is a chance it can arch and throw sparks. Gently push the wires back into the box, then line up the screws with the holes and tighten. Be sure to install the receptacle with the neutral side up. If anything were to fall onto the receptacle, it would hit the neutral and ground wires first and eliminate any chance of an arch.
The half-round slot at the front of the receptacle is the ground slot and the larger slot above the half-round is the neutral. These should be installed at the highest point of the wall. Cover the outlet with a plastic plate. Turn the power back on at the circuit box. Test the outlet by pushing the test button in the middle of the receptacle. If the reset button pops out it means the outlet is live.
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