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Real-world knowledge from experienced electricians. Tips, stories, and how-tos — search and filter by topic.
PanelMike Torres
32 yrs · Feb 2025
Federal Pacific Panels — The Hidden Fire Hazard
I've replaced over 200 Federal Pacific panels in my career, and every single one was a ticking time bomb. These FPE Stab-Lok panels were installed in millions of homes from the 1950s through the 1980s. The breakers are…
OutletSarah Chen
28 yrs · Feb 2025
GFCI & AFCI — The Mistakes I See Every Week
The number one GFCI mistake I see from apprentices is putting the GFCI at the end of the circuit instead of the beginning. If your GFCI outlet is the last device on the line, it only protects itself — everything…
James Washington
35 yrs · Feb 2025
Aluminum Wiring — Handle With Extreme Care
Aluminum wiring was used extensively in the late 1960s and 1970s when copper prices spiked. It's not inherently dangerous, but it requires specific handling that most electricians weren't trained for. The problem is the…
Junction BoxMaria Rodriguez
24 yrs · Feb 2025
Wire Nut Technique — Getting It Right Every Time
I failed my first inspection because of wire nuts. The inspector pulled on one splice and it came right apart. That was 24 years ago and I've never forgotten it. Here's what I teach every apprentice: First, strip your…
PanelRobert Kim
30 yrs · Jan 2025
Panel Upgrades — Do the Math Before You Start
I see electricians jump straight into panel upgrades without doing a proper load calculation, and then they wonder why the inspector sends them back. Before you touch anything, do your NEC Article 220 load calculation.…