DIY stands for "Do-It-Yourself." It refers to the practice of undertaking tasks or projects by oneself, without relying on professional help or services. DIY activities can range from home repairs, renovations, and crafts to automotive maintenance, gardening, and more.

How to remove circular fluorescent light bulb?
Posted On: October 9, 2023
Circular fluorescent light bulb burned out and I'm hoping someone can guide me in the right direction. You can see in the picture below that there are wires connected to a clasp. Removing the wires is the key part that I'm struggling with. I'm able to pop the bulb out but it's connected by the clasp / wires.
I was able to open the clasp a little bit by removing a small screw in the hole then prying it open. However, even when the clasp is open, there are still wires connected to the bulb. I'm completely unfamiliar with th . . . [
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How to remove circular fluorescent light bulb?
Posted On: October 9, 2023
Circular fluorescent light bulb burned out and I'm hoping someone can guide me in the right direction. You can see in the picture below that there are wires connected to a clasp. Removing the wires is the key part that I'm struggling with. I'm able to pop the bulb out but it's connected by the clasp / wires.
I was able to open the clasp a little bit by removing a small screw in the hole then prying it open. However, even when the clasp is open, there are still wires connected to the bulb. I'm completely unfamiliar with th . . . [
More]

Is this a bunch of wrong MWBCs?
Posted On: October 6, 2023
I've just opened up my main panel with the plan of adding a new circuit, but have temporarily aborted that idea after squinting for a while, followed by getting worried.
There's quite a lot of 14/3 (or 12/3) wires running running in the top of the panel and fewer 14/2 (or 12/2). The double pole breakers at the bottom seem to be reasonable MWBCs to me, but I'm particularly worried about the ones I marked in red and yellow (a fairly large proportion of them!).
My admittedly limited understanding is that each full row of the pane . . . [
More]

Is this a bunch of wrong MWBCs?
Posted On: October 6, 2023
I've just opened up my main panel with the plan of adding a new circuit, but have temporarily aborted that idea after squinting for a while, followed by getting worried.
There's quite a lot of 14/3 (or 12/3) wires running running in the top of the panel and fewer 14/2 (or 12/2). The double pole breakers at the bottom seem to be reasonable MWBCs to me, but I'm particularly worried about the ones I marked in red and yellow (a fairly large proportion of them!).
My admittedly limited understanding is that each full row of the pane . . . [
More]

How does metal bracket provide ground?
Posted On: October 6, 2023
I am replacing an old light fixture. The junction box has no ground wire coming out of it. The instructions say that if this is the case to attach the ground wire from the light fixture to the green screw on the mounting plate. .
So how does this work? The ground has to lead back to the breaker box in order to work right? Is this mounting bracket connected to a wire leading to the breaker box?
It does actually appear that the box has an attached ground wire leading out of it, so that's good news.
Question from user d512 at stackexc . . . [
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How does metal bracket provide ground?
Posted On: October 6, 2023
I am replacing an old light fixture. The junction box has no ground wire coming out of it. The instructions say that if this is the case to attach the ground wire from the light fixture to the green screw on the mounting plate. .
So how does this work? The ground has to lead back to the breaker box in order to work right? Is this mounting bracket connected to a wire leading to the breaker box?
It does actually appear that the box has an attached ground wire leading out of it, so that's good news.
Question from user d512 at stackexc . . . [
More]

Changing old UK light switch to modern switch
Posted On: October 5, 2023
I have a two gang switch with pre 1970 wiring.
One switch is one way to bathroom and other switch is a two way switch for hallway. The first picture is old switch with bathroom switch on the left of the picture, second picture is switch that i want to use.
Can someone tell me which wire goes where on the new switch please.
Thank you.
Question from user john foley at stackexchange
Answer:
The new switch is essentially the 'other way up' visually.
So, without rotating,.
Take the red & black from the lower right . . . [
More]

Changing old UK light switch to modern switch
Posted On: October 5, 2023
I have a two gang switch with pre 1970 wiring.
One switch is one way to bathroom and other switch is a two way switch for hallway. The first picture is old switch with bathroom switch on the left of the picture, second picture is switch that i want to use.
Can someone tell me which wire goes where on the new switch please.
Thank you.
Question from user john foley at stackexchange
Answer:
The new switch is essentially the 'other way up' visually.
So, without rotating,.
Take the red & black from the lower right . . . [
More]

Why isnt my furnace fan running when the thermostat is calling for it?
Posted On: October 4, 2023
The fan is set to always on but it's apparent that the fan is off most of the night.
When I wake up I never feel air blowing through the vents.
When the window is closed during the night CO2 PPM reaches 2000+ in my room while downstairs it's a fraction of that. No air exchange at all.
As far as I can tell the fan always works when it's cooling. And also it randomly sometimes works when it's not cooling.
The furnace is a Carrier model. Thermostat is a Nest unit with fan schedule set to Always.
The Nest thermostat h . . . [
More]

Why isnt my furnace fan running when the thermostat is calling for it?
Posted On: October 4, 2023
The fan is set to always on but it's apparent that the fan is off most of the night.
When I wake up I never feel air blowing through the vents.
When the window is closed during the night CO2 PPM reaches 2000+ in my room while downstairs it's a fraction of that. No air exchange at all.
As far as I can tell the fan always works when it's cooling. And also it randomly sometimes works when it's not cooling.
The furnace is a Carrier model. Thermostat is a Nest unit with fan schedule set to Always.
The Nest thermostat h . . . [
More]

How do I replace or repair a motion sensor PIR lens?
Posted On: October 4, 2023
The PIR lens/translucent cover for my motion sensor for my outdoor light kit broke. Crumbled to the touch after about a year outside despite being made for outdoors.
The sensor is now way too sensitive without it, but the sensor does still work.
Is it possible to replace this PIR lens, or do I have to throw the baby out with the bathwater and replace the whole sensor piece?
I am not asking where I can buy this part (and I am reaching out to the manufacturer now that I have the part name); I just want to know whether it is possible (and . . . [
More]

How do I replace or repair a motion sensor PIR lens?
Posted On: October 4, 2023
The PIR lens/translucent cover for my motion sensor for my outdoor light kit broke. Crumbled to the touch after about a year outside despite being made for outdoors.
The sensor is now way too sensitive without it, but the sensor does still work.
Is it possible to replace this PIR lens, or do I have to throw the baby out with the bathwater and replace the whole sensor piece?
I am not asking where I can buy this part (and I am reaching out to the manufacturer now that I have the part name); I just want to know whether it is possible (and . . . [
More]

How do I assess different insulation recommendations?
Posted On: October 4, 2023
We live in CT.
I don't know the technical terms but our house configuration is:.
Split level ranch (two floors plus attic).
Gas furnace and gas water heater in the basement.
Air handler in the attic.
Air condenser thingy outside.
Our attic is not used for anything. We have a few boxes (like 5) and some empty suitcases.
My understanding is that water/air/something goes from the furnace or air condenser to the air handler which blows hot/cold air to the rest of the house.
We recently got solar panels. As part of the so . . . [
More]

How do I assess different insulation recommendations?
Posted On: October 4, 2023
We live in CT.
I don't know the technical terms but our house configuration is:.
Split level ranch (two floors plus attic).
Gas furnace and gas water heater in the basement.
Air handler in the attic.
Air condenser thingy outside.
Our attic is not used for anything. We have a few boxes (like 5) and some empty suitcases.
My understanding is that water/air/something goes from the furnace or air condenser to the air handler which blows hot/cold air to the rest of the house.
We recently got solar panels. As part of the so . . . [
More]

Crack in drywall covering window sills (Above the window, straight vertical line)
Posted On: October 4, 2023
The walls of this house are made with thermoblock, it's hollow block made of polystyrene like material that gets filled in with concrete. So the inner wall from the centre is as concrete -> polystyrene -> drywall -> plaster+mesh -> paint.
The sills were poured on the spot on top of the window openings.
Are these cracks in the drywall a sign of something serious? I do not see similar cracks outside, for the same sill. The outside is concrete -> polystyrene -> plaster with mesh -> decorative stucco.
What would be . . . [
More]

Crack in drywall covering window sills (Above the window, straight vertical line)
Posted On: October 4, 2023
The walls of this house are made with thermoblock, it's hollow block made of polystyrene like material that gets filled in with concrete. So the inner wall from the centre is as concrete -> polystyrene -> drywall -> plaster+mesh -> paint.
The sills were poured on the spot on top of the window openings.
Are these cracks in the drywall a sign of something serious? I do not see similar cracks outside, for the same sill. The outside is concrete -> polystyrene -> plaster with mesh -> decorative stucco.
What would be . . . [
More]

Suitable Wire Gauge and Type to Upgrade Service to Garage Subpanel?
Posted On: October 4, 2023
I currently have a sub panel in my detached garage, fed from a 30 amp breaker in my main panel in the house. The wire run is through conduit on the exterior of my home, I would estimate it at 30-50 feet long just to shoot high. I am wanting to upgrade the garage to 100A service and am having some trouble determining what gauge and style of conductor would be most suitable for my application. I am planning to install an electric heater and potentially also want the room to power a welder later on, as well as some machine shop tools I already hav . . . [
More]

Suitable Wire Gauge and Type to Upgrade Service to Garage Subpanel?
Posted On: October 4, 2023
I currently have a sub panel in my detached garage, fed from a 30 amp breaker in my main panel in the house. The wire run is through conduit on the exterior of my home, I would estimate it at 30-50 feet long just to shoot high. I am wanting to upgrade the garage to 100A service and am having some trouble determining what gauge and style of conductor would be most suitable for my application. I am planning to install an electric heater and potentially also want the room to power a welder later on, as well as some machine shop tools I already hav . . . [
More]

Does a 20 amp GFCI outlet on a 15 amp circuit pose an inherent danger?
Posted On: October 1, 2023
I'll start by acknowledging that I know this violates NEC. As I understand it, the reason that a 20 amp outlet can't be connected to a 15 amp circuit is that someone could potentially connect a 20 amp device, overload the circuit, and cause a fire. That makes sense.
Now, here's the question. Suppose all you have on hand is a 20 amp GFCI and you need to replace an outlet on a 15 amp circuit. (You will get a correct 15 amp outlet eventually, but you don't have it right now.) This circuit is on your own, private property - no on . . . [
More]

Does a 20 amp GFCI outlet on a 15 amp circuit pose an inherent danger?
Posted On: October 1, 2023
I'll start by acknowledging that I know this violates NEC. As I understand it, the reason that a 20 amp outlet can't be connected to a 15 amp circuit is that someone could potentially connect a 20 amp device, overload the circuit, and cause a fire. That makes sense.
Now, here's the question. Suppose all you have on hand is a 20 amp GFCI and you need to replace an outlet on a 15 amp circuit. (You will get a correct 15 amp outlet eventually, but you don't have it right now.) This circuit is on your own, private property - no on . . . [
More]