How to Do Home Electrical Repairs Yourself on the Cheap

Doing electrical work around your home can seem daunting, but with some basic knowledge and budget-friendly tools, you can safely tackle many repairs yourself. Here's how to do common home electrical repairs on a budget:

Assess the Issue

Before doing any electrical work, fully assess the problem. Don't just replace a switch or outlet without understanding why it failed.

• Check for tripped breakers or blown fuses. Reset breakers and replace fuses. If it trips again, there's an underlying issue.

• Test outlets and switches. Use a multimeter or outlet tester to check for power, shorts, and ground faults.

• Inspect visible wiring. Look for damage like loose connections, burnt wiring, or signs of arcing.

• Consider age and condition. Older wiring and outlets may simply need replacing due to natural failure.

Thoroughly diagnosing the issue will lead you to the proper repair.

Have the Right Tools

You'll need some essential tools for basic home electrical repairs:

• Multimeter - Test outlets, switches, and wires for power and continuity.

• Wire strippers - Properly strip sheathing from wires.

• Needle nose pliers - Help manipulate wires in tight areas.

• Voltage tester - Double check power is off before working.

• Screwdrivers - Standard and Phillips head types.

• Wire nuts - Properly join and cap wires.

• Electrical tape - Insulate wire connections.

• Outlet tester - Verify repairs and check for problems.

Investing in basic high-quality tools will make your repairs safer and easier.

Replace a Faulty Outlet

Replacing a worn out or damaged outlet is a straightforward project:

• Turn off power to the outlet. Flip the right breaker and test that power is off.

• Remove cover plate screws and disconnect wires. Take note of wire placement for reconnecting later.

• Disconnect the outlet and remove it from the electrical box.

• Install a new, matching outlet by securing it to the box and reconnecting each wire correctly.

• Replace the cover plate screws. Restore power and test with a multimeter.

Use quality outlets on 15 or 20 amp circuits. Follow box fill requirements.

Swap a Light Switch

Switches wear out over time, but are quick and easy to replace:

• Disconnect power to switch at the breaker. Verify it's off.

• Remove switch cover plate. Carefully disconnect wires, noting their locations.

• Remove switch mounting screws and the old switch from the box.

• Install the new switch in the box and secure with mounting screws.

• Reconnect wires to matching screw terminals. Ground screws connect to bare copper or green wires.

• Replace the switch cover plate. Restore power and test operation.

Match amperage ratings for lights or fans. Get the right size and type of switch.

Extend an Electrical Circuit

Sometimes you need additional outlets or lights on an existing circuit:

• Choose the circuit to extend from. Calculate existing electrical load.

• Buy the right gauge NM electrical wire based on required amperage capacity.

• Shut off power to the circuit at the panel. Test that it's dead.

• Drill holes and run the NM wire to the new outlet or light box location. Secure with clamps.

• Splice the wires: connect hot, neutral, ground. Use approved connectors and wire nuts.

• Mount the electrical boxes, outlets and switches. Turn power back on and test.

Follow codes for cable type, box fill, wire splices, and grounding. Avoid overloading circuits.

By using caution, making safety a priority, and investing in some basic tools, you can take care of many electrical issues around your home. Proper repairs will keep your electrical system running safely and efficiently.