Household appliances use a lot of wattage. A portable electric generator must be sized correctly to handle the watts (based on amp rating) to power all these things. Here is a wattage table with common wattages for many appliances. The reactive load of these appliances is important when sizing your portable electric generator.
Blackouts, brownouts and storm-related power outages can really disrupt your daily routine. Installing a portable electric generator may seem like a great idea, but it is not that easy. The electric generator has to be connected very carefully to your electrical system.
Adding another doorbell to an existing doorbell is easy. You will need another transformer to wire the two together. Wireless doorbells are a new option with many doorbell chimes, but you will need to install another door button at your door.
Surge protectors, or surge suppressors, stop invisible voltage spikes from harming electronics or appliances in a home. One type connects to the electric panel near the circuit breaker, while the more common type are point of use surge protectors for computers, telephone, printers, etc. These surge protectors can wear out, so be sure to replace them.
Electrical fires happen every day in the United States because of electrical shorts that produce intensely hot arcs. An arc fault circuit interrupter senses these arcs and stops them, making them smarter than traditional circuit breakers.
Household electricity is dangerous. The National Electric Code has requirements for electrical outlets, electrical circuits and cables. A rookie or DIY'er may skip over a step or unknowingly make a deadly mistake. Before beginning a project yourself, take the necessary precautions or contact a professional.
The dimmer switch used to be a round knob that you rotated. Dimmer switches typically need no special wiring to install. The dimmer of today comes in an array of choices, so prepare to spend some store time deciding!
Wiring electrical outlets should be done carefully. While standard duplex electrical wall outlets are great for strategic lighting in a room, things can go wrong inside the box. Electricity safety requires unbroken wires attached to the four screws inside the outlet. Contact and hire an electrical professional if your electrical outlets are misbehaving.
Lightning may strike your home, but it won't always cause a fire. A cold strike can ruin your appliances. To prevent this, get an electrical grounding system for all electrical outlets. Also, you can install a lightning arrester inside your electrical panel. Transient voltage surge protectors can also protect electronics.
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