The Complete Idiot's Guide to Electrical Repair

by Meany, Terry

• ISBN13: 9780028638966
• ISBN10: 0028638964
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-02-07
• Publisher: PENGUIN

Summary

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Electrical Repair is a basic instruction manual on home wiring and repair. The book covers AC/DC, volts, watts, fuses, and circuit breakers, national and local codes, and caution signs and safety concerns. Learn when it's best to do-it-yourself and when you need to bring in the pros. Also covered are extension cords and multiple strips, switches and receptacles, installing fixtures and adding new circuits, and working around existing wiring.

Author Biography

Terry Meany has been a professional home restorer for two decades. A talented amateur who picked up wiring skills as a homeowner and from observing electricians on remodeling jobs, his work has included adding numerous circuits in two houses and replacing ones with new, grounded cable. The author of The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Remodeling Your Home, Care for Your Home The Lazy Way, and Working Windows: A Guide to the Repair and Restoration of Wood Windows, Terry lives in the Seattle area.

Table of Contents

Part 1: The Basics: Out of the Dark Ages	1	(80)
Fear of Frying	3	(12)
What Is Electricity Anyway?	15	(12)
History Lessons	27	(12)
If Your Walls Could Talk	39	(14)
More Wall Talk	53	(14)
When You Buy a House	67	(14)
Part 2: Safety, Tools, and Contractors	81	(54)
Caution Signs and Safety Concerns	83	(14)
Call Me Sparky	97	(14)
Extension Cords and Multiple Strips	111	(14)
Electing for Electricians	125	(10)
Part 3: Components and Simple Repairs	135	(98)
Switches and Receptacles	137	(12)
Replacing Old Switches and Receptacles	149	(22)
Lighting Up	171	(16)
Light Fixes	187	(18)
Working Around Existing Wiring	205	(18)
Trouble, Troubleshooting, and Safety	223	(10)
Part 4: Power Hungry	233	(66)
Service with an Attitude	235	(12)
Adding New Circuits	247	(4)
Kitchen Power	251	(12)
Bathroom Wiring	263	(12)
The Great Outdoors	275	(12)
Electric Heat and Air Conditioning	287	(12)
Part 5: Refinements	299	(92)
Workshops, Offices, and Generators	301	(16)
Your Own Hi-Tech Revolution	317	(16)
Alarms, Detectors, and Security	333	(16)
More Low-Voltage Wiring	349	(10)
A Few Alternatives	359	(14)
Putting It All Together	373	(18)
Appendixes
A Resources	385	(2)
B Glossary	387	(4)
Index	391