Arcing House Wiring - Very Dangerous and Lethal An arcing outlet like you see in the photo above can kill you. You can see how the insulation on the wire has burned away and the actual plastic outlet started to melt. It was only a matter of time before flames would erupt and spread. Circuit Read More »
Water Christmas Tree Away | It's so Very Easy! You can use a smartphone, a smart plug, a submersible fountain pump, and a little common sense to water your Christmas tree while you're away from your home. You can use this same method to water plants in window flower boxes if you can't be at Read More »
DEAR TIM: Several weeks ago, I read your column in our paper and you talked about installing electrical wiring. I found that very interesting, but now I’m very curious about circuit breakers. What’s the primary purpose of circuit breakers? Are there different types of breakers? What do the numbers on the breakers mean? I’m deeply Read More »
DEAR TIM: It’s a very long story and don’t think I’m crazy. I’m building a new home and wondering if I can install all the electrical wiring myself. It’s not a big home, but it’s got all the things going on you’d normally have in a home including quite a few 3 and 4-way switches. Read More »
Burying Electrical Wire - It's Allowed, But Use Conduit QUESTION #1: Tim, can you settle a debate between me and my wife? We have to have electric cables buried in the ground for all sorts of things around our home. She insists on putting the cables in conduit and I say, after doing online research, Read More »
Underground Wire Short - Conduit and Sand Are the Answers I didn't build the house I'm living in. Each month I discover something new where the builder and his subcontractors took a shortcut. A few months ago I had an underground wire short. This wire extends from the corner of my house up to the Read More »
Label Electrical Wires - Have Some Fun Be Reasonable Read more of this story in Tim's May 5, 2019 Newsletter. It's a good idea to label electrical wires. Here are a few reasons why you should do it: labels help remind you how to name circuit breakers labels help you know what wire is which Read More »
3 and 4 Way Switch Wiring for Dummies - You're Not One! QUESTION #1: Tim, I need you to mediate a dispute between my husband and me. We’re building a new home and there are quite a few places where two, or more, switches can be used to control lights. I like the convenience but Read More »
"An electric baseboard heater works just like a toaster but without the danger of a fire." Basement Heating Options Checklist Electric heating is probably your best bet Do the math before making an expensive selection Insulate walls with closed-cell foam Portable heaters work well What Basement Heating Options Are Affordable? You might be surprised to Read More »
Kitchen Exhaust Question #1: Tim, I’m very excited about an upcoming kitchen remodel at my home. I need your advice about my kitchen exhaust fan. I’m getting conflicting information from contractors, the kitchen designer, and my husband. You’re my lifeline. Can you address the best practices for kitchen exhaust fans and any other aspects to Read More »
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