Yes, but with some qualifications. The life of CFLs will be reduced if they are operated at higher than normal temperatures. Therefore, they can be used in totally enclosed fixtures, including vapor-tight fixtures, as long as you do not use a high power CFL, and the temperature outside the fixture is not too high. They have been tested successfully using 25-watt CFLs (light output equivalent to 100-watt incandescent lamps) in large vapor tight fixtures, but these lamps were installed in a relatively cool area. If the fixture is small, or if the fixture is installed in areas with high temperature, such as Phoenix, the power rating of the CFLs should be limited to 15 watts or less.
Starting in 2012 you will no longer be able to buy 100 w incandescent light bulbs. You will be able to buy Cfl, LED and Halogen bulbs. Let’s talk about an issue that bothers many home owners with CFL bulbs; it’s the flickering of the bulb when turned on.
The reason is the bulbs you have are first generation CFL’s the first compact fluorescent bulbs flickered when they were turned on because it took a few seconds for the ballast to produce enough electricity to excite the gas inside the bulb. Thanks to better technology, there is now no significant flicker (less than 1 second). However, these bulbs do require a short warm-up period before they reach full brightness, which is why they may appear dim when first turned on. Compact fluorescent bulbs are best used in fixtures that are left on for longer periods of time, rather than in fixtures that are turned off and on frequently.
Here are some basics regarding portable generators. But the first thing to do is Read the Instruction Booklet or ManualNever use a generator indoors or in an attached garage.
Never use a generator indoors or by an open window.
Don't connect your generator directly to your home's wiring.
Connecting a portable electric generator directly to your household wiring can be deadly. A generator that is directly connected to your home's wiring can 'backfeed' into the power lines connected to your home.
Don't plug a portable generator into an electrical outlet in your home or garage.
The correct way to use a generator is to connect a heavy-duty, outdoor-rated power cord to the generator. Appliances can then be connected to the power cord.
Make sure that the outdoor-rated power cord has a sufficient wire gauge to handle the electrical load.
Don't overload the generator.
All generators have a power rating
Shut off the generator before refueling. Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting it down.
Always have a fully charged, approved fire extinguisher located near the generator.
Compact fluorescent lights sure come with a lot of controversy.Like they contain mercury, they are all made in China and now the latest…they don’t last as long as they said they would. California has done more to promote this bulb then any other state including subsidizing the purchase of them. Well the state utility regulators the past three years began an evaluation of these bulbs. What they found was the bulbs where to last 9.3 years when in fact they only lasted 6.3 years. Higher burnout rate was found in bathrooms and recessed lighting. Turning them on and off a lot also seems to impair longevity. Experts do agree that compact fluorescent lights save energy over incandescent lights and typically burn long.How much longer? Well less then we thought.
The U.S. lighting transition is part of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), which requires manufacturers to develop light bulbs that produce the same amount of brightness (lumens) with less energy (watts). The more stringent standards mean incandescent light bulbs must become at least 28 percent more efficient. In other words, the everyday, 100-watt bulb will have to produce the same brightness by using just 72 watts.
Because most incandescent light bulbs cannot meet the new energy efficiency requirements, they will dwindle from store shelves. However, the regulation does not “ban” any particular bulb.
“The standards are ‘technology neutral,’ which means that no specific type of light bulb is being banned. Transition will be gradual
100 W Traditional new standards Jan 2012 75 W Traditional new standards Jan 2013 60 W Traditional new standards Jan 2014
Seems to happen all the time when circuits are overloaded or we are using too many extension cords or even when it is wet outside. Half the outlets in the home just stop working.You check the fuse or circuit breaker box and everything seems to be fine. So whats up? A GFCI has tripped. What ? These are little protection devices that are on a few outlets in your home.They protect that outlet and possibly several others in the house.If something goes wrong a little button pops out and shuts down the circuit.In most cases you should be able to reset the button by depressing it.Sometimes you have to check every outlet before you call an electrician.So look everywhere for that outlet that needs to be reset.
If you have a group of lights that flicker you could be looking at a very serious problem in your electrical system.
I suspect that you are getting some arcing somewhere. Arcing occurs when wire connections are close but not fully touching. The electric current jumps the gap, like lightning, and creates some heat. This heat could be minor, or it could be a serious problem, depending on how much current is jumping across the gap, and how wide the gap is.
And arcing can cause enough heat buildup to START A FIRE. I don't want to alarm you, but this could be serious.
If a single light flickered I would suspect that the bulb had a loose filament (a trivial problem) or the bulb was loose in the socket. Anyway, I would strongly recommend that you call an electrician. You can try shutting off various circuits to see if the flickering can be narrowed down to a certain area. Many newer houses have all of their lights on one or two circuits, so it's possible that the problem is limited to a lighting circuit.
The phone, the cell phone charger and of course the battery charger all have those large plugs on them that take up the entire duplex receptacle.I have tried plugging them in upside down but that does not always work because of the difference in the prongs width.So what to do?
You can change out the duplex receptacles with a rotating type outlet.You turn of the electricity, remove the existing outlet and install the 360 degree outlet.You can rotate each outlet to whatever angle you desire and get back to using both of the outlet receptacles at the same time.
Avoid cube taps and other outlet stretching outlet devices
Cubes taps – those little boxes that allow you to plug several appliances into a single outlet – may seem like a major convenience, but they can actually put you on the fast track to circuit overload, overheated wiring, and even fire. If you absolutely must use one, do the math before plugging in. Know the maximum power demand that the cube-tapped receptacle can handle, and be certain that the collective pull (power requirement) of the devices you’re plugging into it doesn’t exceed that rating.
In new construction homes, GFCI receptacles are a requirement anywhere that electrical outlets and water will be in close proximity to one another. GFCIs detect current leakages (or ground faults) in electrical circuits – such as would occur when a powered device made contact with water. The GFCI then shuts off power to that receptacle almost instantaneously, preventing electrical shock, burns, and electrocution. If you live in an older home that didn’t come standard with GFCIs, installing them in place of traditional outlets in your bathroom, kitchen, and garage is an easy way to prevent severe electrical injuries – and at very little cost.
When should you get a light bulb that is clear or frosted? That’s the question we will solve today. A frosted lamp has a larger illuminated surface, which makes the light appear to be more even, and softens the inevitable shadows. The clear lamp, on the other hand, allows the narrower filament to show, which makes for sharper shadows. I recommend using a light fixture with clear lenses, or shades, a clear bulb will look better in the fixture; and if they are using a light fixture with frosted shades, a frosted bulb often looks better. if you are looking at a cheaper bulb that is rated 120V and a more expensive bulb that is rated 130V, buy the 130V bulb - it will last much longer, and be more resistant to power surges.
If, when you push the doorbell button, you do not hear a bell, a hum, or even a click, it often means that electricity is not being delivered through the system.
1) Check for a tripped circuit breaker.
2) Check for a burned-out transformer. Turn off the power to the circuit before working on the transformer.
3) Be sure all wires are connected securely at transformer, bell, and button.
4) Remove and check the button. Because the button is the primary moving part of the system, this tends to be the most likely component to fail. To do this, remove the button's attachment screws and gently pull the button out. Be sure the two wires are connected securely to the screw terminals. Then touch a screwdriver blade across both terminals (or remove the two wires and touch them together).
If the bell sounds, you are in luck; this is a very easy, inexpensive repair. Remove the wires, and clean corrosion from the button's contacts and wire ends with fine sandpaper or electrical contact cleaner. Reconnect the wires. If the button still does not work, just remove and replace the button (available at hardware stores).
Nowadays our homes contain an awful lot of very expensive electronic devices. And during this time of year when we have a lot of lightning stikes, it's really important that you protect them. Now, one thing a lot of folks make the mistake of is picking up a device like this. This is simply a power strip. It has no surge protection. That's what you want to protect your appliance from, is the surge of the electricity. So, stay away from the power strips. What you're looking for is the joule rating. You'll see them 210, 450, you'll see them up to 850. And the amount of joule protection is depending on the appliance that you're trying to protect. So, there's a couple things you need to know here. Number one, a surge protector, as it keeps sponging, it keeps absorbing the surges, it kind of wears out over time. And there's some of the new surge protectors actually have an indicator light when they have lived past their usefulness. So, that's a neat feature to get. One other neat feature to get on a surge protector is one that actually has lines for your cable tv, because quite honestly, when lightning strikes the home, the electricity doesn't care if it comes in through a power line or whether it's going to run through a cable line or whether it's going to run through a telephone line. So, that's another neat feature you might want to take a look at. So remember, stay away from the power strips, pay attention to the joules.
When changing an outlet, it can be really difficult to hold the receptacle and work the screw driver not to mention the rigidwires.I found a cool tool to help called a Plug Grip.Making sure the power is off is another concern; in fact,I have a friend who won’t do electrical work on his house because he shocked himself too many times wiring outlets. Personally, I prefer to shut off the power before wiring. But sometimes power can be on when you think it is off. Even with the power off, wiring outlets can be a tricky task. . The power Grip has a D shaped handle with two male plugs. Insert the Plug Grip into the outlet and pull the outlet out. It gives you a solid grip on the outlet while working your screw driver. The Plug Grip reduces wiring time and as an added safety feature, it has built-in power warning lights. About $10 at your local hardware store.
As compact fluorescent lighting takes over the market place new products are being developed similar to the older products only these work with the compact fluorescents. For instance, a light control for the porch or post light which ads safety and secure.The type that goes on at dusk and off at 2, 5, or 8 hours or dusk to dawnWell now the have a digital light control that offers these options but work with a compact fluorescent lamp.By use a compact fluorescent bulb in a light control for 8 hours a night your savings can be $48 a year for just the post light if you where using a 100W light bulb.
If your home has a track lighting system, switch out those hot-running halogens for the most energy-efficient light bulbs on the market: light emitting diodes, or LEDs. Not only is the average LED lifespan up to 30 times greater than that of a halogen bulb, LEDs also use up to 80% less energy, and produce a virtually no heat. Because they run cool and don’t increase ambient temperature in the rooms they’re used in, LEDs are much safer to handle, and can actually reduce your cooling costs. These track light bulbs cast intense, warm white beams of light, and otherwise look just like a traditional track lighting bulb – only you will know how much energy and money you’re saving.
Take a look at the switch plates in home. I bet they are brown, white ,ivory and all boring.How about Wall plates with a modern decor twist. Who ever said that light switches don’t deserve to be beautifully framed? There’s no doubt that stainless steel is the hottest finish for home appliances, so why not have light switch wall plates to match? With sleek lines and a gorgeous low-profile design, brushed stainless steel wall plates are the ultimate finishing touch for kitchens and laundry rooms that have been updated with stainless steel appliances. Some wall plates feature concealed clips for snap-in installation, which leaves their faces perfectly smooth and free of screws. Also you can find had painted and bright colored wall plates to go with any décor.
If coming home to a dark house leaves you feeling less than secure, think about taking your interior lighting to the next level by installing a programmable indoor timer, which can be easily set to switch on lights so that they’re ready and waiting when you need them to be. Not only are indoor timers ideal for people who want to see where they’re going when they come home in the dark, they’re also great at providing illumination for home-alone pets when no one is there to turn the lights on for them. If you make a habit of leaving lights on all day in anticipation of returning home after dark, save energy and money by keeping lamps turned off during daylight hours, instead setting a timer to switch them on just before you’re due to arrive.
I am sure you have found yourself walking into a room at night and trying to find the light switch.Well, I found a product to care of that issue it is a light switch that you won’t have to search for in the dark. This switch is installed to replace your present wall switch and comes in single and three way.The switch has a tiny built-in LED locator and looks like a standard wall switch during the day, but provides a pinpoint of blue light that will guide you to it in the dark – no fumbling required. This is a simple project that can make life a little bit nicer.
Saving Energy - Motion sensors in your living room?
Motion sensorsinstalled on the inside of your home can save you money. It’s obvious that turning out the lights when leaving a room is one of the most basic ways to save energy and money, but what happens when you forget? For those of us who are a little absentminded in the switching-off-the-lights department, Leviton has developed the Decora Occupancy Sensor, a motion-detecting light switch that uses passive infrared technology to keep tabs on whether on not there are people in a room. As long as the sensor detects body movement and knows that the room is occupied, the lights stay on. But when motion is no longer sensed, the switch jumps into action and does the responsible (and energy-efficient) thing: it turns the lights off. How‘s that for high tech.
When making electrical connections follow these for a safe connection.
When making electrical connections follow these for a safe connection. Strip the wire allowing 5/8” of the wire exposed for the connection. Twist the wire in a clockwise direction and screw on the wire nut. This will insure a tight connection because as you twist on the wire nut in a clock wise motion you will also be tightening the wires. When making terminal connections, that being a wire to a screw. Bend the wire into a hook shape. Place the hook around the screw with the open end of the hook facing the clockwise direction of the turning screw. As you tighten the screw the wire will not squirt out from under the screw but will remain secure under the terminal.
When using a generator, safety must be on your mind.
With Hurricane season upon us and the high number of tornados this spring you might want to consider a home generator. This will allow you to run some lighting in your home. When using a generator, safety must be on your mind.They should not be used in enclosed areas such as; garages, carports, basements, crawl spaces or near open windows and doors of your home. Carbon Monoxide poisonings from generators caused over 60 deaths just last year. So use the generator in open areas and at a safe distance from the home.Extension cords should be adequate to handle the load, and don’t try to draw more power than the generator is rated to supply. Always allow the generator to cool before filling with gas.
Summer storms can be violent and hurricanes along the coast can create a disaster, so be prepared.
Summer storms can be violent and hurricanes along the coast can create a disaster, so be prepared. Always have extra bottled water in your home. In hurricane prone areas you may want to fill the bathtub with water for cooking. Stock up on batteries, flashlights and fluorescent camping lights. Avoid propane lamps and candles as they can be a hazard. Have a charged cell phone and a charger for the phone that works in the car in the event of a power failure. It is always a good idea to have a few tools handy and some tarps and of course duct tape. Have a first aid kit stock and be ready to go. There are many things to consider but these are just a few. Might even bring lawn furniture, bikes toys, grills and garbage cans to a sheltered area to avoid them from becoming airborne.
Here's a problem we've all faced at one time or another, or you will soon face, and that is that a light bulb that's actually broken off into the socket.
Here's a problem we've all faced at one time or another, or you will soon face, and that is that a light bulb that's actually broken off into the socket. The question is how do you extract that? Of course the first thing you do is turn off the circuit. So, kill the electricity to that socket. Most home improvement books are going to tell you to take a potato, push it into the socket, and then unscrew. I have to tell you I've never had much luck at all with the potato trick. So I found a neat tool. This is simply a tool that extracts the bases of light bulbs. That's all it's intended for. Made out of plastic, about five inches long. You insert it into the socket. And then what you do, is you just tighten the screw. And as you tighten the screw it expands and as it expands on the inner walls of the socket itself, it creates some tension and you can simply extract the socket. At that point, you can go ahead and turn on the electricity, put in a new bulb, and you're all set.
© 2012
