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Yes, but is it a single pole or is it a three-way switch? A three-way switch is one that is used when a light is controlled by more than one switch.

It's important to be safe and accurate when installing a switch.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

It's watts divided by volts. For example, a 1500-watt heater (divided by) 120 volts equals 12.5 amps.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

You need to see how many amps your box is rated for and then look at the existing circuits to see how many total amps are already being used. If you have not reached the maximum, it's possible to add more, but it's best to have a professional do the work inside the box unless you have the specific knowledge.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document

• New wiring can be tied into a junction box, unless the wiring in the junction box is already at maximum capacity.
• Before tying in at a junction box, always trace the cables leading to the box to check the voltage. Be sure you are not connecting a 120-volt outlet to a run of wire providing 240 volts for larger appliances.
• To tie in new wiring at a junction box, first shut off the current at the service panel.
• Locate the main supply cable coming into the junction box from the service panel. Locate the supply wire by tracing the white wires. All white wires in the junction box will be attached to the white wire on the supply line.
• Knock out the unused plug on the junction box and run the new line from the box as illustrated (see image). Be sure to use a cable clamp to secure the cable to the junction box.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Only if the wall plate screw is grounded.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

• Turn off the power to the outlet at the circuit breaker panel.
• Remove the faceplate of the old outlet.
• Disconnect the wires from the old outlet.
• Connect your home’s black wire to the brass screw on the 220 outlet.
• Connect your home’s white wire to the silver screw on the 220 outlet.
• Connect the green wire to the green screw on the 220 outlet.
• Tighten all screws.
• Set the outlet in the wall and replace the faceplate.
• Turn the power to the switch back on at the circuit breaker panel.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Use a continuity tester. First, turn the switch to the “off” position so that there isn’t any electricity going to it. Remove the switch from the wall (leave the wires connected) and touch the tester’s lead to both of the switch’s terminals. When the switch is in the “off” position, the tester should not register. Now flip the switch to the “on” position. The tester should light up. If it doesn’t, you have a bad switch and need to replace it.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

They are designed to indicate their use, but be careful because they are not always hooked correctly. Hot wires, those carrying current at full voltage, are usually black, red or white with black marks. Neutral wires are usually white or gray. Ground wires are usually either green or bare copper.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Outdoor extension cords are wrapped with heavier insulation to resist weather and sunlight.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

You need to know how many bulbs there are and how long they are. However, make sure you check the starter before you change the ballast. In fact, you may want to replace the whole fixture.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

GFCI – or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters – are receptacles that stop electricity flow when they detect energy leakage, which prevents electrocution. You can tell a GFCI receptacle from a normal receptacle, because a GFCI has two buttons, one marked “Test” and one marked “Reset.” They also have a light indicator on the receptacle that designates when current is reaching the receptacle. To install a GFCI:

• Turn off the power to the receptacle at the circuit breaker panel.
• Remove the faceplate on the old receptacle.
• Disconnect the old receptacle and remove.
• Use wire strippers to cut off the ends of the old home wiring and expose fresh wiring for your new receptacle.
• Cut 6” of 12/2 NM cable in each color (black, white and green) and strip away the insulation from the ends.
• Loosen the two exposed screws on your new GFCI receptacle (leave the two taped screws intact).
• Attach your strips of 12/2 NM wire to the receptacle around the color-coded screws. (The green wire goes under the green screw. Black goes under black. White goes under white.) Tighten all screws so that there is a secure connection.
• Attach the color-coded wires to the color-coded wires coming from the wall box with wire nuts.
• Place the receptacle into the wall. Replace the faceplate.
• Turn power to the receptacle back on at the circuit breaker panel.
• The light on the GFCI receptacle should be on indicating that the receptacle has been “tripped.”
• Press the reset button to reconnect the receptacle to the electrical current and prepare it for use.

Be sure that you know where you need to install GFCI receptacles before you begin this process.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Buy the appropriate type of replacement plug or socket. If the extension cord is a 3 wire type (with grounding connection), buy a 3 pronged replacement. Likewise, make sure that the replacement is rated for the same load as the cord; if you have a heavy-duty cord, ensure that the replacement is rated for heavy-duty loads.

Cut off the broken plug or socket with the knife.

Strip half an inch of the outer cord casing from the cable near the cut end. Be careful to cut only the outer casing and avoid damaging the interior wires.

Strip half an inch of insulation from each of the individual wires within the casing.

Disassemble the replacement plug or socket. Generally, replacement plugs consist of a plastic outer case that contains screw-down terminals to which the individual wires attach. Some plugs come from the store in a disassembled state, while others require unscrewing a screw or unsnapping a case to access the interior screw terminals.

Screw the exposed extension cord wires to the terminals inside the replacement plug or socket. If your replacement plug has screw-type terminals, loop wire around the terminal and then screw it down. The green wire is the ground wire, the white wire is the neutral wire, and the black wire is the hot wire. Light-duty interior extension cords often lack the ground wire, but if a ground wire is present, be sure to connect it. Many replacement plugs come with color-coded terminal screws, making connection to the right terminal easy. If in doubt, check the wiring diagram that came with the replacement plug or socket.

Put the plug or socket casing back together around the terminals. Depending on the exact model you have, this may require snapping a plastic case into place or screwing in a retaining screw. Make sure no bare wire is exposed.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

In most cases the answer is no. They are designed to blow at certain levels to protect equipment and for fire safety.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Your new college freshman can't wait to bolt from home and begin to enjoy independent dorm life. But in preparing for college move-in day, he or she probably hasn't given any thought to those many "extras" needed to make that spartan room more livable.

Before leaving for school, a trip to the local hardware store often is essential to stock up on some very important, yet often overlooked items. In addition to the computer, CD player and mini-fridge, try making room in the car for the following:

Test-Worthy Tools

• A hammer and a box of nails or drywall anchors make hanging pictures and calendars on the walls easier. Double-sided tape or poster putty makes removal of posters from walls less damaging.
• A flashlight and multiple packs of batteries come in handy if dorm electricity goes out. Extra batteries can also be used for all those extra electronics.
• Standard or cordless screwdrivers make putting together furniture easier and help bookshelves and nightstands stay sturdy.
• Extension cords and multi-outlet surge protectors are a must. Not only do they help expand room layout possibilities, but they also help protect valuable electronics, like computers.
• A 25-foot extension phone cord allows the phone to be placed anywhere in the room.
• Electrical wiring, extra cables and splitters are essential for multiple high-tech systems in a room like the stereo, TV, DVD player, computer and video game console.

Smart Storage

• Shelf boards and brackets expand storage capabilities and make a small space look larger. Use them to hold books, picture frames and CDs.
• Large plastic storage containers that fit discreetly underneath the bed are perfect for stowing away clothing and extra blankets.

A-Plus Appliances

• Many hardware stores carry small coffee makers, toaster ovens and small microwaves for when hunger strikes during those late-night study sessions.
• A small desktop or standing fan helps cool off a tiny dorm room.
• For quick pickup of dry spills, a small cordless handvac that can be conveniently stored against the wall and out of sight does the dirty work.
• A small reading lamp and extra light bulbs give eyes a break from overhead florescent dorm lighting. For a fun twist, pack some colored light bulbs.

Extra Credit

• A long mirror visually makes a small room look bigger.
• A dry erase board is great for hanging outside on a dorm room door so friends can leave messages. A corkboard also works as a place for posting photos of family and friends, class schedules and notes.
• A stepstool makes it easier to reach high shelves in typically tiny dorm closets.

Happy Shopping!

Credit:  Lou Manfredini's Tips From the Tool Box, Ace Hardware

Always match the gauge of wire to the capacity of the circuit breaker. In practice, most lighting circuits are controlled by a 15-amp circuit breaker. That means that 14-gauge wire is acceptable. Circuits with power outlets are often controlled by 20-amp breakers and should be wired with 12-gauge wire.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.