Electrical

DIY FAQs

How is UF electric wire different from regular Romax cable?

If you lay cable underground, it must be UF (underground feed) cable, which has each individual wire insulated and has plastic wound around the...

I am putting a couple of more outlets in my garage can I use 14-guage wire?

While 14-guage wire is the minimum for most houses wiring, it can only be used for 15-amp circuits. Number 12-gauge wire is recommended for general...

What does gauge mean?

Wires have size numbers that express their diameter. These are even numbers from 0 to 18, and smaller numbers indicate larger diameters that can...

What do numbers on electrical cable mean?

They refer to the number and types of wire inside the cable. For example, 14-2 means the cable has two 14-gauge wires inside. 12-3 G means the cable...

Do I need special tape for wiring?

Yes, you should use electrical...

Do you have something I can use to insulate and repair cords and wire with?

You can use heat-shrink tubing. It’s designed to fit something half its size in...

My extension cords are always getting tangled, is there anything I can use to store them?

There are a variety of cord storage reels...

How do I use a wire nut?

Strip off about ½ inch of insulation from the wires you want to connect. Hold these wires next to each other and twist clockwise. Screw on the...

Which color of wire nut do I need?

Check the package, it will tell you what size and how many wires each color of nut will...

What is the easiest way to test an outlet?

Use a receptacle analyzer. Leave the power on, but make sure nothing is plugged into any outlet on the circuit, and turn off all switches on the...

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