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Welcome to the Electrical Tips Page
The purpose of this site is to
provide tips for Restoring, Renovating and General Property Repair Tips. I hope I have made this site unique.
The concept is that each page has a unique topic. I provide 10 tips on
each subject then I have invited you the reader to supply your own tips to
add to the list ... in a 'Post Your Comment Box'. I have called this
posting comments for Restoring Property - RANT or RAVE. As the title
suggests you can post good ideas and ideas that certainly don't work! I
hope you enjoy...
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ELECTRICAL TIPS - General Advice
Here we have a few basic tips. Follow the
links in the side navigation to see our full lists.
1. We all should know this...but nonetheless
it should be said... but when you work with electricity you should always
disconnect or switch off the power at the mains.
2. If an electrical appliance is faulty and
doesn't switch on, the first place to check is whether the fuse is
working. Open up the plug and check the fuse. If it is not obviously
broken replace it with the same 'ampage' fuse. Refit and then try the
power to the appliance again. If there is now power then the appliance
could be faulty. If the fuse blows immediately, there is a serious
shorting problem with the appliance. DO NOT think it is possible, or
clever, to put a bigger amp fuse in the plug. Each appliance has a fuse
that protects it; putting in a bigger fuse will do two things. First it
will damage the appliance beyond easy repair and secondly is create a fire
hazard.
3. Often forgotten but so essential. Always
keep a torch in a place that is easy accessible should your home power
circuit cut off. Keep the torch topped up with good batteries.
4. If you sense... that when the power is
flipped off
in your house, due to a surge in power or some sort of 'electrical
shorting'; and you know which appliance caused it, be sure to unplug that
appliance before switching the electrical breaker switch back to 'on'. If
the power blows again, try unplugging all major devices and switch on
again. Use the process of elimination to work out which appliance is
causing the problem. If it appears that none are responsible it maybe an
electrical surge as appliances are switched on; or when, such as your
fridge, switches back on automatically through the cooling process needs.
If the problems persists beyond such elimination it maybe wise to get in a
fully qualified electrician.
5. Neon Testers... An essential tool for
many reasons, but primarily for safety. Electrical systems and any
subsequent work we do on them must be done with the power switched off.
the Neon tester checks for power within a circuit that you want to work
on. Of course you shouldn't touch a circuit with any power connected.
Meanwhile the other uses of a neon tester is to check circuits for
breakages, shorting and how and when they are active or dead.
6. Improving the impact of your 'one' light
in your cellar or attic. As per normal these two locations are used for
storage and little else; but you can bet that you don't adequately plan
the lighting for these two rooms. One good suggestion is to install a
reflector about the bare light bulb. Cut a square piece of plywood and
paint brilliant white. Have a centre hole for the cable and bulb and
secure the square piece of plywood above the light. This will improve
illumination impressively.
7. As we talk about illumination, don't fall
into this trap... When you want more illumination in a room don't go
putting a bigger 'wattage' bulb into the only light fitting. This can
cause a fire as the material surrounding the light fitting is made for the
smaller wattage. Bigger wattages need better material for the shades and
bigger space between shades and bulb. Ventilation must be present with
bigger wattages to allow them to function properly and avoid overheating.
If you want more light to a room, introduce another lamp.
8. Halogen lights... These lights shine
brighter and generally last longer; along with being more energy
efficient. Halogen lights have advantages for reading as the brightness
reduces eye strain.
9. Two of the biggest energy costs within
the home are heating and air conditioning. So it would seem prudent to
offer this advice. In winter allow as much natural sunlight into the
property, so as to limit the possibilities of needing excessive heating.
In reverse for the hot summers; decrease the amount of natural sunlight,
using such as drapes, curtains or shutters. In doing this you are limiting
the need for air conditioning.
10. For those amongst us who have swimming
pools. Two tips to help reduce swimming pool electrical costs. First notch
down the thermostat by 1 degree, this can save up to 10% of your energy.
Secondly try buying a transparent canopy for the pool, this allow more
natural sunlight and consequently improve the temperature of the pool by a
few degrees.
This information is provided as a
courtesy only...
Neither RestoringPropertyTips.com nor any other party involved in the
preparation, publication or distribution of this information makes any
representation or warranty, express or implied, that this information
contains all provisions that may be appropriate or necessary to address
the specific interests of a landlord, tenant or owners of property.
COMMENTS...
I'd forgotten until recently that when buying a phone system for your
home, buy at least one stand alone phone that doesn't need electricity to
function. Every other phone can be a mobile cordless. I mention this
because the next time you have a power cut, you'll find none of the
cordless phones work. So how can you phone up to report a power cut?
Dot, Melbourne
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Yesterday I got a big belt off of a circuit I'd not tested properly.
Following my enquiries on why these shocks occur, I happen to come across
an article that explained that because the majority of our body is water,
then we become a good conductor to earth. Just an interesting fact.
Tyrone, Hull
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A quick tip... This relates to two main areas. First... Check that all
light bulbs are securely fitted. I've just nearly had a fire because one
bulb was in a broken light bulb fitting and rather than being upright in
fell slightly to one side. I felt the fitting as I sensed it was hot.
Wow... Out of my vision the bulb fitting was brown and almost ready to
catch fire. The other occasion this principle is important is your
Christmas tree lights. If they are not secure they could cause a fire.
Dom, Chicago
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I decided to cut the lawn on a Saturday afternoon. It had rained for a
short time earlier, but my plans were set, so I continued nonetheless. I
managed after a little while to cut the grass but it was so much more
difficult. I went to unplug the mower from the extension chord. Wham
bam... I got a big shock as I was trying the unplug a plug with damp
hands.
Jordan, Southampton
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