Why pay a professional for electrical repairs if you can do it yourself by looking for troubleshooting guides on the internet? While the internet has become the "go-to" for accomplished DIYers as well as the wannabes, there is plenty of inaccurate information that can result in wasted efforts, or worse, serious safety hazards. When using the internet as your main source for repair information, it is important to learn how to separate the fact from fiction, as well as when you're better off investing in the services of an expert electrician instead.
One problem that people come across when looking for directions or advice about electrical repairs are directions that are written for people who already know what they're doing. The average person may have little experience with these types of jobs, which means much of the terminology will be foreign to them. How are you supposed to use a multimeter if you don't even know what one looks like or what it does? To solve this problem, it's best to familiarize yourself with terms before looking at step-by-step guides. Find an online electrician's dictionary (preferably with pictures) and learn the basics. It won't take long, and it's necessary for all jobs.
Another issue with internet resources is that they skip steps. Articles may be written for word count or to a certain area, meaning that something might have to be eliminated. Often times the writer will think these may be unimportant or assumed knowledge. But again, for a complete layman, omitting anything can cause confusion and problems. Try to choose guides that are highly detailed with diagrams or clear photographs. If you notice excessive jargon or a lack of clarity, try to find supplemental material to fill in the gaps.
When performing any electrical repairs, take pictures during each step of the job. That will help you when you will undoubtedly discover that your home is wired differently than whichever diagram you are using. Breakers, outlets, fuses, wires-there is no universal standard. It can be extremely frustrating to be looking at a picture that says, "locate the green wire" and place it underneath the screw, only to realize that there is no green wire. What do you do in these situations? You can keep looking on the internet, and you may find the answer, but don't start experimenting. This is how people end up with nasty shocks or faulty wiring.
Electrical repairs are generally easier than attempting to install a new device. However, while they are a good starting point, there are several instances when you will need an electrician. If anything is sending up sparks, overheating, or has a burning smell. Shut it off at the breaker immediately and call a professional. These are fire hazards and attempting to fix them can result in severe burns to yourself or the home. Rewiring or adding onto the system may also necessitate a special permit which requires a certain level of training and education, doing these tasks on your own can result in a fine from the local government.
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