Electrician U

In this episode I talk about the various fault detecting devices on the market in use in most modern residences. Chiefly Arc Fault and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters. 

Electrical power is often expressed in two units, Watts and VA.  Wattage and Volt-Amps rather, get misused because many people do not understand the differences in them and when they should be used.  In this episode I break down the differences in the two terms and how they relate to one-another in the electrical industry.

Resistance is one of the most crucial aspects of an electrical circuit.  Along with Voltage and Amperes, Resistance plays a major role in how a circuit operates.

A lot of green apprentice electricians ask about how panels work, and more specifically what the roll of the circuit breaker is.  Some guys think that breakers "put out" electricity, or that they "send" a certain amount of amperage to a load from the panel.  This is not how it works.

Automatic circuits work on the philosophy that some external/automatic switch turns power on and off to a circuit.  This can be a photocell or timeclock that controls a set of relays or contactors which allow or disallow current to flow in a circuit.

Automatic circuits work on the philosophy that some external/automatic switch turns power on and off to a circuit.  This can be a photocell or timeclock that controls a set of relays or contactors which allow or disallow current to flow in a circuit.

In order for electricity to work, there has to be movement.  Static electricity still needs movement to occur in order to discharge and equalize charges.  The only way that movement becomes useful is once there is a difference of potential present.  That is what voltage is all about.

For those of us that are more visual learners, I've made this show one that can be followed visually.  In this episode I draw out on the white-board how switch loops work, and how to wire them.

This episode is something a lot of green apprentices need to watch.  Switch-loops are very difficult to grasp when you're new to the trade, and in this show I break down how to install and wire for these bad boys.

This episode goes further in depth on how 3-way and 4-way switches work.  This is for those visual learners out there that need the logic drawn out so they can see the whole circuit in front of them.

In this episode I take apart a 3-way and 4-way switch and talk about how they work on the inside.

This episode is all about breakers, from the outside-in.  I cover the differences between single-pole, two-pole, and 3-pole breakers. I talk about how a breaker is a simple spring-held mechanical switch that operates by an internal electromagnet.

In this video I talk about how to wire for and install 4-way switches.  4-ways are very similar to 3-ways, and in fact you use (2) 3-way switches in a 4-way setup.

Well everyone....the time is here! I'm in New York City for this year's #THDProSpective tool event and I'm about to find out what tool manufacturers will be sending me over the next year to test, review, and give away!

In this episode I talk about how to wire and install 3 way switches and California (illegal or dead-end) 3ways.