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Archive for the ‘DIY electrical’ Category
Ceiling fan (diy) installation
Most of us understand the concept of heat and air, rather when it’s hot you can turn on the fan and cool off by aerating the area. But it is also true that when it is hot from the house heater you can turn on the ceiling fan and reverse the direction from clockwise to counterclockwise and start pushing the high warmer air downward and pulling it around the room below the fan for heat distribution.
This simple act of reverse circulation provides an inexpensive outlet for homeowners to lower heating bills this winter and crank up the efficacy level of comfort.
Note: always incorporate a form of stabilizing hardware for your ceiling fans. The support brackets give an extra needed insurance of this constant gyrating live load motion. This is one type of diy ceiling fan installation hardware, designed more for a new install application.
garbage disposer
How varieties can differ in garbage disposer’s we can stand pat if any house hold appliance is abused, it will not last to long. But the main brand garbage disposers all are about the same. When needed flip the switch and chop away at will. Outside of the commercial lines the commonality of standard kitchen garbage disposers, all have the same install specification and will essentially hook up under just about any kitchen sink. A 110v extension whip hard wired into the outlet under the sink and a option for a dishwasher connect, all are very similar. 
That being said though, are experience has the InSinkerator stands behind there lines better than most others. They have local plumbers that service the next day and up to one year after purchase. What is also true is that many garbage disposers have a reset button on the body that acts like a circuit breaker when getting jammed or over loaded. Hang onto those receipts folks!
Electric Test
To be efficient in this type of work is basically to have the right tools. Yea sounds like a crock but seriously we can make 5 or so trips back to the electric service panel or 1 trip. So with this job being fairly simple we still have to check our work, always check your work. Having the power off to run some new legs, 1 to the new fan and the other is for the GFI outlet.
More importantly this sweet little gadget keeps us from getting hurt and the size is unbelievably small, tiny little electrical pen tester just touch a point and instant results, operates on a battery and has our vote for high efficiency. Any electrical work that needs doing we bring this wonderful helper with us.
Rough Electric
Okay with the fan testing good , lets tap into the same power at the switch and put a GFI outlet in the wall behind the sink, in the back splash area.
The outlet box should be fastened to allow the finish wall to be flush with the face of the box. Approx. 1″ of float and 1/2″ for tile less an 1/8″ for adjusting purposes. Often when feasible we can put the outlet box in the middle of a tile surface, for that special look. Here is a finished example of a ground fault interrupter circuit at the wet area behind the sink. Same 2/14 romex will suffice here as well. Follow your local codes and get those all important inspections. Post hook up you can test your new GFI by pushing the test button on the face. If it clicks and the reset button raises, then it’s good so lets move on to the next phase.
Fan light Install
This older bath needs an upgrade in the vent system so lets do this. Existing: 1 switch and 1 light, but with a fan in the ceiling i want to run a separate switch so i’m going to demo out the single gang box and replace with a 4 gang or dbl. switch box. 1 light switch and 1 fan switch @ same locale.
Ceiling joist are 16″ centers 2x’s, this gives us 14.5 ” in the clear between framing members. The new fan is a Broan QTXE110, It will get blocked out on either side in the ceiling bay and screwed off at the right finished ceiling height. Romex 2/14 wire pushed through the same plate hole and wired into the new fan housing. Ground wires together and white with white, black with black. Wire nutted and tested before next step.
Light Fix
Turn on the lighting fixture and nothing? Jiggle the bulb, go back to the switch and turn it on again, nothing? Expose the bulb and when removing it, the glass breaks at the end and now the metal threaded contact has broken off inside the socket and needs to be removed.
Okay, no need to fret. A pair of needle nose pliers will solve this issue lickety split. First and foremost make certain the power is off. If unable to see then get a flashlight, and put the pliers between the screwed in part of bulb and the actual fixture, the male and female if you will. Get a bite on the male piece and gently unscrew this part out. The switch at the wall in general terms will cut the power to the light, If uncertain then go to the main power source and turn off. Put light back on the subject.