Learn about working with outdoor electrical systems with Bob Vila, including information about installing lightning protection, outdoor speakers, testing electrical cords, and more.
Bulb Types To choose the right lamp, you should consider the best bulb to get the job done. There are 3 commonly used bulb types: 1) ...
Extension Cord Overload Don't overload extension cords by plugging in appliances that draw a total of more watts than the rating of the cord. Use ...
Exterior Lighting Exterior lighting is one of the best places to use CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) because of their long life. If you live in ...
Ground Fault Interruptors Ground fault interruptors, or gfi's, are electrical outlets designed to automatically trip off if a fault occurs. Gfi's are ...
Lightning Damage In addition to direct strikes, lightning generates electrical surges that can damage electronic equipment some distance from ...
Lightning Paths There are three main ways lightning enters homes and buildings: (1) a direct strike, (2) through wires or pipes that extend ...
Outdoor Lighting Use outdoor lights with a photocell unit or a timer so they will turn off during the day.
Rooftop Antennas Before you install a rooftop antenna or satellite dish, be sure it is away from any power lines. It's best to locate antennas ...
Splicing Wires To get professional-looking splices in wiring without electrical tape, try head-shrinkable tubing. Slip a tube on one of the ...