Electricity Program Search Results

How To: Change a circuit breaker

In this video, we learn how to change a circuit breaker. First, turn the main breaker off so there is no running electricity. Then, go to the meter area around your circuit breaker system. With these, there will be wires running all around the entire system. With most breakers, you can pull them right out from where they clip in. There will be a wire connected to this which you can remove. Do this, and then connect the wire to the new breaker. Snap this back into place and make sure it's secu...

How To: Replace an electrical light switch

In this video we learn how to replace an electrical light switch. First, turn the power off in your home. Then, remove the screws around the switch exposing the wires. Confirm that they are dead with a tester, then you can get started removing. Wrap electrical tape around the wires and then label them with what they were connected to. Tear this out of the terminals, then replace the new one with the wires hanging out. Make sure you place the wires back into the same terminals as before, using...

How To: Reset a wireless router

In this video, we learn how to reset your wireless router. You can use this if you are getting the "server can't be found" error, and it will work most of the time. First, grab your router and unplug the electricity and DSL plugs that are in the router. They will be round and look like post, and shouldn't be hard to find. After you unplug it, plug it back in after about 30-45 seconds. This will reboot your router, so it will most likely fix the problem you are experiencing. You should be able...

How To: Conserve at home to help the enviroment

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to conserve at home. One way to conserve at home is to have a recycling bin. Before throwing away a recyclable item, rinse it off first to avoid unpleasant odors. Change all the incandescent light bulbs in your home to fluorescent light bulbs to conserve the electricity. Fluorescent light bulbs consume 4 times less energy and lasts 8 times longer. Use home appliances that have the "Energy Star" label on them. Wash your clothing with cold water. Eat or...

How To: Install a three way Lutron Diva dimmer switch

If you're looking to set a mood with your significant other or are trying to find a way to limit how much light you have, dimmer switches are the way to go. They're easy to use and are perfect for anybody who likes to have different lighting options available to them. This video will show you how to install a three way dimmer switch from scratch. When installing be aware that you need to turn off the electricity before doing so, otherwise you may be electrocuted. Be careful and good luck!

How To: Live off the grid

PeteMcCormack2 teaches viewers how they can live off the grid! First, you will need shelter, heat and water! And possibly some electricity. You need head so you can use a high efficiency wood stove. You always need to have water so you can use a well or a water pump. Also, for a pump you will need power, you can use solar power for this! You can also use a pressure tank. This way of life does not necessarily cost much and with self installation it will lower the cost also. All you have to do ...

How To: Reduce your refrigerator energy usage

This video shows several tips that will help you cut down the electricity usage of your refrigerator. Think about what you want from the fridge before opening the door, instead of standing there with the door open while deciding what you want. Set the temperature of your fridge only as cold as necessary, and allow 24 hours for any temperature changes to take effect. Keep exterior condensation switches off unless you need them. Make sure the door gasket is clean and in good condition. Clean it...

How To: Tune a ukulele without a tuner

Brian Padilla from Hilo Guitars demonstrates how to tune a ukulele without a tuner. To tune a ukulele without a tuner, first pluck the G string and compare it to the seventh fret of the C string and match the pitch. On the same C string drop down to the fourth fret and match the E string to it. Go to the fifth fret on the E string and match the A string to it. Make adjustments as necessary. If your tuner runs out of batteries or you're stranded in an area without electricity, use the fret mat...

How To: Avoid RV problems by cleaning your hookup cord

Gary Bunzer the RV Doctor shows how to avoid potential RV problems by cleaning your electrical hookup cord. Before you connect your RV to an electricity supply, make sure to clean and brighten the metal contacts on your shoreline cord. Use fine-grade steel wool to clean all surface corrosion off your cord's prongs. You can also use sandpaper, emery cloth or any other gentle abrasive. After you get the metal prongs clean and shiny, use a dauber or brush to coat the surface of the prongs with a...

How To: Test a vehicle alternator with a standard multimeter

Richpin demonstrates how to test an alternator with a standard multimeter. First make sure that the vehicle's battery is fully charged. Take the negative lead of the multimeter and put it on the negative post of the battery. Place the positive lead of the meter on the positive lead of the battery. Set the meter to DC voltage using the 20 scale and read the display to ensure the battery is fully charged. Next start up the vehicle and see what the alternator is producing. The display should now...

How To: Clean an LCD screen

Is your computer's LCD screen getting so dirty you can barely make out what you're typing. Use a few household ingredients to keep a clear, sharp image on your LCD screen without clouding or scratching it.

How To: Make an aquarium with a USB powered LED light

This is a video tutorial on how to make a USB aquarium powered by a under-gravel LED bulb that is powered by a USB port. With a bit of simple engineering, build a circuit to provide elegant lighting to your aquarium. Connect the wiring to the air pump for a cool lighted bubble effect. Plus, it's powered by your computer! Don't use expensive fish, or those which are sensitive to DC Currents. Don't do this project in a saline water tank, because salt conducts more electricity.

How To: Make lightning with a spoon and a balloon

In this video, we learn how to make lightning with a spoon and a balloon. First, you will need to gather a spoon and a balloon. Once you have these, blow up the balloon then tie it on the end so it's sealed. After this, rub the balloon on your hair and then slowly move the spoon towards the balloon. Turn the lights out and watch what happens. You will see sparks of electricity start to appear between the balloon and the spoon! This is great to do with children or as a quick experiment to show...

How To: Install a 1010TR Solar Powered Attic Fan in your home

Everyone should have an electric fan installed in their attic, but who wants to waste electricity on something like that? That's where the 1010TR Solar Powered Attic Fan from U.S. Sunlight Corporation comes in. If you have just gotten yourself one of these energy saving roof fans, you have two options: professional installation or self-installation. This video will walk you through the steps of installing the solar-powered fan yourself, and for more help, download the official installation in...

How To: Clean high voltage electrical cables with solvents

The best way to make sure you have the best connections on high voltage-lines is to clean them. Cleaning high-voltage wires with cleaning solvents is the best way to get the job done for a better flow of electricity. This video, produced by Polywater, trains electricians on the proper high-voltage cable cleaning procedures during splicing and termination. Methods are shown to remove different types of shields and compounds from insulation. The "Do's and Don'ts" of abrasion, solvent spraying, ...

How To: Make a Solar-Powered Fan Hat

It's hot this summer, but it's not that easy to cool down when you're on the go. You can't take an air conditioner with you, and a handheld fan will just tire you out, so you'll need to find more creative ways to cool down when you're on the go. One of these ways is a DIY solar-powered fan baseball cap.

How To: The Hardware Hacker's Introduction to Microcontrollers, Part One: Anatomy of an Arduino

In this article, I'll be explaining the basics of how microcontrollers work, physically and virtually. First off, microcontrollers are no simple thing, so don't be discouraged if you find it mind-boggling! The world of microcontrollers is fascinating, engaging, and an awesome hobby; it never gets boring. I'll be focusing more on I/O and analog based microcontrollers, such as those running Arduino, and using Atmel chips as examples (these are most commonly available, and easy to program).

News: Playing an Electric Guitar With 100,000V

Video: . I made this Tesla Coil using the myRIO and LabVIEW. It uses electricity to play the music, which can be Star Wars, Harry Potter or even Hunger Games! The music is played by the spark heating the surrounding air (causing it to expand) then the spark turning off (causing the air to cool and contract). This expanding and contracting cause's longitudinal waves - or sound waves.

How To: Charge Your Cell Phone with Fire

There are plenty of times when we need to charge our phones but don't have access to electricity. Whether the power is out do to storms, you're camping and run out of juice, or you're in a Tom-Hanks-like Castaway situation, it's important to have a charged phone in case of an emergency.

How To: Install a hard drive in a 13" MacBook Pro (2009)

To install a hard drive in a 13" (13 inch) Macbook Pro laptop computer released in 2009 you will make sure to first transfer all data off the drive then discharge any static electricity from your hands making sure your are in a static free work environment. Next you will remove the old hard drive, to do this flip over the laptop and remove the 10 screws around the edge of the device with a #00 Phillips screwdriver starting with the three longer screws on the top right. Next, lift off the bott...