Any detachable/portable 110-volt or higher voltage wiring that is used to transfer power from an outlet or power source to a power consuming device is referred to as an extension cord. Typically, an extension cord has one male plug on one end and one to three receptacles on the other end. Extension cords make it far easier to use electricity where it’s needed.

However, several investigations illustrate major accident patterns associated with extension cords, namely children putting extension cords in their mouths, overloaded cords, worn or damaged cords, and tripping over cords. Since there are right and wrong ways to use the extension cord, a little wrong application would lead to disaster and even death.

Below are some of the safety suggestions that one should go by so as to keep themselves safe and secure. Firstly, one should make use of the extension cord only when needed and too on the temporary basis.

In case you find the cord damaged, replace the extension cord with new one that has higher current rating. Be sure to look for an extension cord with the same number of conductors as the one being replaced. However, one should also take care that he/ she uses polarized extension cords with the polarized appliances.

For the extension cords that do not posses the safety insulation or enclosure, covered or insulated any unused electrical outlet with the electrical tape.

Never force a plug into an outlet if it doesn’t fit. This includes using three- prong plugs with outlets that only have two slots for the plug, and cutting off the ground pin to force a fit.

Consider the wattage of the equipment being powered and do not over- power the cord. Only use extension cords rated for outdoor applications.

Use special, heavy duty extension cords for high wattage appliances such as air conditioners, portable electric heaters, and freezers. Check the plug and the body of the extension cord while the cord is in use. Noticeable warming of these plastic parts is expected when cords are being used at their maximum rating, however, if the cord feels hot or if there is a softening of the plastic, this is a warning that the plug wires or connections are failing and that the extension cord should be discarded and replaced.

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Most electrical jobs require a right set of tools complemented by a logical frame of mind. Active and wise homeowners could offer considerable benefit to themselves by saving on the costs of an electrical repair work. The replacement of an electrical wall switch is one such task that calls for minimum expertise and knowledge.

Start off by visiting a local home improvement store or electrical store. Beforehand, it is very important to determine the type and design of the electrical wall switch you want. Misapprehension on that front could prove costly for the structural integrity of the electrical setup. Generally, you can make a selection between the traditional flip switches or the cheaper fancy switches. Whatever be the choice, it should complement the efficiency of your electrical setup.

Arrange the electrical tools that are not available in your tool box. Make sure that all the required tools are sound and working.

Locate the main electrical breaker box or the electric fuse and turn off the power supply of all spaces of the home. Alternatively, you can cut electricity to the affected electrical segment by turning off the respective breaker switch. To ensure a safe course of action, the electricity must be cut off before initializing the proceedings.

Take a look at the finish of the screws on the wall plate. Take out a screwdriver which has a tip similar to that of the screwdriver’s finish. Generally, the wall plates use either flat tip screws or Philips head screws.

Before undoing the different wires from the terminals of the switches, note down the configuration on a rough piece of paper. Do not move ahead until you possess a clear idea of the wiring schema. You can use the switch board to write down the wiring connections.

Remove the lugs of the switches holding the corresponding electrical wires. Unscrew the wires from the terminals of the switches carefully. Place the new switch and connect the wires according to the notified schema. Retighten the screws and put in the juncture.

Make sure that the wiring schema is followed while making the connections. Replace the wall plate on the socket and check the normal operation of the new switch by switching on the power supply.

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Often, the backyards of the home remain dark and dim. The homeowners don’t consider the backyard appropriate enough to install beautiful lighting fixtures. On the other hand, some homeowners install dim bulbs that fail to serve the required purpose. The lighting fixtures in your backyard offer two significant advantages. Besides beautifying the area at night, it prevents the home from burglars and thieves. Choose the lighting fixtures that complement the theme of your backyard.

The selection of the lighting fixtures must be made on the basis of your requirement. If the security of the area tops your priority list then choose the lighting fixtures that illuminate a wide area. Support the spread lights with the spots lights or the mini spread lights.

Before you commence the project, check the requirements of the area. Also, analyze the techniques that would be employed in the installation of the lighting fixtures. Use a flashlight to figure out the most appropriate angles for the installation of the chosen lighting fixtures. The beam of the light must be directed towards the ground. Also, two beams could be pooled to enhance the effect of lighting.

The beautiful spots of the backyard must be highlighted to enhance the appeal of the area. The pots, flower beds, small plants, decorative objects etc. can be highlighted with the help of foot lights and spot lights. Such fixtures operate on the ground level only and hence, should be installed just over the preferred object or plant.

Use flood lights and spot lights to illuminate the taller plants or trees present in your backyard. It will surely enhance the look of your backyard and would also render a dramatic look to your backyard.

When it comes to the small plants and trees then spot lights or focus lights would serve the required purpose. Such a setting would make the beautiful features of your backyard visible at night.

As far as the security of the backyard is concerned, the lights with the maximum spread should be considered. Use spread lights or flood lights to serve the required purpose. Keep the infants and pets away from the work site. The naked electric wires and joints may lead to a possible accident.

The job of wiring may require some expertise. Hence, avail the services of an electrician whenever you run out of ideas. Time constraints apply to each and every technical project. Hence, abide by the defined duration of the project.

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In side by side refrigerators, you can easily store things in refrigerator as well as freezer. They provide you a lot of space in freezer. You can get different features in this refrigerator with different sleek models.

Side by side refrigerator having capacity near around 24.5 cu will cost near around $1900-$2500. Some good manufacturers of side by side refrigerator are Whirlpool, GE, Frigidiare, Avanti and many more. Mostly this type of fridge is efficient in saving energy. A fridge in this category having capacity around 30.6 cu will cost you somewhere around 7000$.

Top freezer refrigerators have a small freezer in comparison to side by side freezers. The position of refrigerator is also at a low level which makes it inconvenient for users. As per as horizontal space is considered, top freezers are considered good for it.

Compact top freezers having capacity around 3.31 cu. ft. costs you somewhere around 150$ to 225$ whereas one having capacity of 24.6 cu. ft. is available in $1300 to $3000. Some of the manufacturers of this freeze are GE, Avanti etc.

Bottom freezer models have good space for freezer and also convenient to use as compared to top freezer models. The problem of top freezer model is eliminated here and the refrigerator can be easily used. They also have features like lift out baskets, sliding shelves etc.

Bottom freezer models are available right from compact 5 cu. ft. models to huge 24 cu. ft. models. Compact bottom freezer refrigerators would fall in the $ 500 plus category and the large ones can go up to $1200 or more depending on features. LG, Kenmore, Maytag, Amana and GE offer models in this category.

Built in refrigerators are generally wider than usual models. These models are generally available as semi finished pieces which are finished as per customer specifications. Compact Models value for money, perform all the basic functions of a refrigerator and come with an economic price tag. These refrigerators are easy to transport. Special compact refrigerators are designed to fit under kitchen sinks.

No doubt more capacity and features increases the price. Hence, in this category also more features add more value to the refrigerators. However, in a price range of $80 to $100, you can get a 1.7 cu. ft. refrigerator or a 4.4 cu. ft. refrigerator. Few of the manufacturers who are famous in market and produce these models are: GE, Whirlpool, Haier, Danby and Koolatron.

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Replacing a broken bulb is quite a risky process and you need to take some safety precautions while doing this. The most important thing required to be done is to cut the power supply of that particular fixture. In case you are repairing a bulb of a lamp then remove the plug of the lamp and in case it is a fixture then cut the power from corresponding electrical panel.

Now you need to wear leather gloves in your hands and glasses on your eye. It is must if the bulb has broken on a wall fixture or a ceiling fan. It’s a good practice to wear a hat. Place a trap under the broken fixture that can hold any remaining glass of the broken bulb.

A simple way to clean out the socket from the broken bulb is to use pliers. Pliers should be inserted inside the base. By spacing out the handles, some force can be applied to take out the broken base by moving the pliers anti-clockwise.

With this force the broken base may come out and you need to be careful that you don’t break the fixture during the process. Also, if this process does not work out, use some other alternative. One more is stated below.

Try to put a screwdriver into the bulb base and socket. You may have to slightly bend in the broken light bulb base using the needle nose pliers so that it can get a good hold.

After having a good grasp, try to rotate the base in anti-clockwise direction and while rotating, if you feel some resistance then immediately stop at that point. The fixture may break if you will apply more force. Move it little in clockwise direction and then in anticlockwise direction. This wiggling will help you in getting rid of that broken bulb from your socket.

When you become successful in completely eliminating the broken bulb, plug the new light in the socket and turn on the power at the electrical panel. Test to see if the new light bulb works without sparking or it is not working. If it is not working then turn off the switch and check the connections again.

To prevent the bulbs from breaking in the future, never over tighten them while screwing into the light socket. Screw them just till the point where you feel slight resistance and test to see if the light works without flickering. If it does, leave it as it is. If it flickers, then tighten the light bulb just until the point the flickering stops.

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Understanding to the need for multiple power points in day to day life leads to the introduction of power strips. Basically, a power strip is a ceramic or a plastic board that holds multiple sockets to plug in various different appliances. One main power supply feed all the appliances connected to it.

Present is an age when electrical appliances have become an indispensable part of our lives. Since we need to use multiple appliances at a single place like entertainment room, kitchens etc but we have limited number of power points so power strip serve the purpose more suitably.

Power strips are very simple in construction. Inside the power strips, all the sockets are connected in parallel so as to avoid variation in voltages in different points. Also, the other part of the circuitry is very simple and basic.

Other than providing multiple plugs, these also serve the device with the fuse to save your appliances from sudden fluctuations. If somehow a fault occurs it protects the costly appliances connected to it from getting damaged. Moreover, these also consist of RF filters to smoothen the incoming voltage.

Power strips with 5 to 7 sockets and one switch has become quite outdated. Now, you can find those with as much number of switches as sockets are there. This benefit the user to switch off the desired device rather that doing same for rest of the appliances connected to the device.

Depending upon the size required by the users and the appliance’s power rating, there are plenty of such devices available. At the back side of every model, manufacturers provide the specification of that device.

Power strips are must for a computer to work unobstructed. As known, a computer along with a monitor and a CPU also consists of many more electric types of equipment like audio- video devices, modem. Hence, the need for multi plugs cannot be overlooked.

Other areas where the device finds its application is lighting system, multi mobile charging ports, heavy electrical appliances, laboratories etc. All these appliances demand for multi plugs and hence power strips are used.

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Market is flooded with different varieties of refrigerators. When you go to buy a new one, you often get confused that which one, you should select? You often get confused between convenience and performance. But keep one thing in mind that a refrigerator keeps on running whole day and they consume near around 20% of your electric units. So while choosing, take a piece that can efficiently solve your purpose and will not cost you much higher.

First of all have a clear idea about your needs that what you want in your refrigerator. Once you have a clear picture in your mind then you can go to market and purchase a piece that matches with your requirements. Finalization of a selected piece depends on the factor that how much money you can spend on buying a refrigerator.

Size is the first criterion that should be decided. Ten cubic feet is generally sufficient for storage of food for two people. Additional needs can be accommodated at one more cubic foot per person. A big refrigerator generally consumes more electricity so take a piece that can meet the needs of your family.

Decide in advance that where you are going to put your new refrigerator. If you are planning to put it in your kitchen then properly measure the space available in your kitchen so that you can take a fridge that can easily adjust there.

Interior layout should have features like adjustable shelves that can be moved around to accommodate tall, wide or large containers and check it for ease of cleaning. Hard to reach spots can pose a big maintenance problem.

Now-a-days all the refrigerators come with an internal light but still you need to check it because it is an essential requirement of your fridge. Also check whether the compressor of the fridge is creating some noise, if yes then choose another model as the noise will irritate you later especially if your kitchen is near to your living room.

Easy to reach ice/water dispensers can be a real value addition if the manufacturer can assure trouble free performance. Door-panel storage is a great idea for cans and bottles.

A refrigerator having effective and energy efficient motor and compressor makes it energy efficient and efficient to be used. So check these features while buying a refrigerator. Out of all the models a selective piece should be chosen that is best in all regards.

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Along with excessive use of electrical devices, chances of getting electrical shock also increases. Protecting yourself from injury and harm is absolutely crucial. For protecting yourself, you should have basic knowledge of using various appliances so that you can use them properly and prevent any disastrous situation.

With the help of some basic rules, large number of accidents can be prevented. Most important of all is to wear gloves and safety boots in order to insulate yourself and break the electrical circuit that would be formed if are in direct contact with earth.

Once you get an electric shock, its consequences will vary as per the current flow and the path of the current through your body. If the voltage is high, then the injuries will certainly be severe. So the best option is to know how to avoid getting electrical shocks.

In order to save some time or some electrical units, never overload an appliance as it could prove to be very risky. As water is good conductor of electricity, you need to be very careful while using electricity in a damp or moist area.

Whenever you start working on any electrical equipment cut the flow of electricity through it and the fuses should be withdrawn. Double check, to ensure that there is no source of electricity flowing through it. Never assume that someone else would have cut off the power source. You must check things yourself for your safety.

Damaged appliances, sockets, switches and flexes may harm you so regularly check all these against any wear and tear. Regular inspection of electric wires can reduces the chances of accident to a great extent.

There could be a case that one of your room or home catches fire. For that case, you should keep a fire extinguisher at your home so that you can use it immediately to tackle the situation.

The amount of current flowing through wires depends upon the voltage power. Higher voltage will result in more amount of current flowing through the wires. To save yourself from electric current you should protect yourself with things that resist flow of current (insulators). Improper knowledge about any electric device can cause serious accidents. Therefore, have proper knowledge about the devices that you use and call an expert electrician to solve your queries.

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Like the other electrical components, the capacitors too are susceptible to energy dissipation. With time, the capacitors lose their electric charges and become inefficient. Hence, the bad or discharged capacitors need to be replaced accordingly.

Most homeowners throw out the capacitors without apprehending whether they’re actually bad or not. It is not a healthy practice to dispose the capacitors that are in usable form. To determine whether a capacitor is usable or not, carry out the required testing.

Bring in a capacitor tester to check the element for electric charges. Due to the fact that capacitors always carry some stored charges, they must be handled carefully. Hence, follow the necessary precautions to avoid electric shocks from the capacitors.

Carefully, detach the capacitor from its affiliated setup. Don’t take the capacitor straight in your hand as that could lead to an electric shock. Grab a screwdriver and a voltage tester. Probe the terminals of the capacitor with the tester to detect any current in the component. In case of charged capacitor, touch the metal terminals of the capacitor with a screwdriver. Make sure that the handle of the screwdriver is well insulated. The head of the screwdriver discharges the power of the capacitor.

Once you’ve dissociated the affected capacitor from its associated electrical fixture then arrange for a full-fledged test of the capacitor. To do so, purchase or rent a capacitor testing device. Plug the cord of the device into the outlet and switch it on. Adjust the selector to the ‘ohm’ scale to determine the resistance of the capacitor.

Bring the leads of the tester together and touch their leading ends to each other. Alter the reading on the meter in such a way that the needle points to zero when the probes are touched to each other. If the resulting observation deters from the zero mark then adjust the wheel on the meter. A ‘zero’ reading ensures the sound working state of the concerned apparatus.

Connect the red and black probes of the meter to the left and right terminals of the capacitor, respectively. The resulting deviations in the needle of the scale would determine the condition of the capacitor.

If the needle deflects to the right side and returns to infinity then the capacitor holds some charge. If however the needle veers towards the right and doesn’t return back to infinity then the capacitor is considered shorted out or bad.

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When it comes to rendering a safe schema to your electrical setup, the homeowners need to perform their duty. A homeowner with no knowledge of the electrical working invites a sequence of electricity-related problems to his home. Therefore, the general facts must be known well to the homeowners in advance as far as the electrical framework is concerned.

In case of an emergency, the main power supply must be cut short immediately. The intensity of the property damage may get amplified if the homeowner fails to locate the breaker box or the main fuse. A breaker box is an electrical component that controls the supply of electricity to different spaces of the home. The basic know-how of the breaker box and electric fuse should be known to all the members of the home.

The most general location of the breaker box is in the proximity of the main electric meter. Since the electric meter is installed outside your home, it is quite likely that the breaker box is installed there as well. You can call an electrician to generate some suggestion on that.

Reach the breaker box and carefully open the face lid of the box. It consists of a number of breaker switches that are pointing in the same direction. These switches actually hold the control of a particular room as far as the power supply is concerned.

The wise homeowners keep their breaker switches labeled. A breaker switch labeled as ‘bathroom’ would control the supply of your bathroom. Turning off this particular switch would make your bathroom deprived of electricity.

In order to tag these breakers, turn them off one by one. Select a random breaker and switch it off. Determine the area of the home which is not receiving the normal electricity and label the breaker switches accordingly. Repeat the same procedure with the other breaker switches as well and tag all the breakers.

Hence, switch off the breaker prior to the start of an electrical project. If a breaker box setting is not a part of your electrical framework then the electric fuse needs to be removed out of the socket.

Once you’ve successfully accomplished the electrical assignment, turn on the breaker switch again. When it is about the electrical fuse, attach it back onto its associated receptacle.

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