Electrical basics guides — HomeGraft

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ELECTRICAL BASICS · 8 STEPSChange a lampshade on a pendant lightSwap an old lampshade for a new one safely, with the light off and the bulb cool.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 7 STEPSChange the fuse in a plugReplace a blown fuse in a UK 13A plug safely with the correct rating in under five minutes.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 9 STEPSCheck a socket with a plug-in testerUse a plug-in socket tester to check wiring faults in seconds, room by room, with no tools needed.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 8 STEPSChoose the right LED bulbPick the right cap fitting, brightness and colour temperature so your new LED bulb actually fits and works properly.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 10 STEPSFind out what's tripping your RCDTrack down which circuit or plugged-in appliance is tripping your RCD, without opening the consumer unit.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 8 STEPSFit a dimmer switch in place of a standard switchSwap a standard light switch for a dimmer safely, with the right wiring check and wall fixing for your switch box.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 11 STEPSFit a smart light switch and check for a neutralTurn off the power, check whether your lighting circuit has a neutral wire, then fit and test a smart switch safely.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 9 STEPSFit plug-in under-cabinet LED lightsStick LED strips under your kitchen cabinets, run the cable tidily to a socket, and plug in — no electrician needed.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 8 STEPSFit smart bulbsSwap an ordinary bulb for a smart one and connect it to your phone app in under fifteen minutes.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 9 STEPSFix a light that flickersTrack down and fix a flickering light by checking bulbs, switches and wiring connections safely, without call-out costs.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 10 STEPSFix a socket that has stopped workingDiagnose why a socket stopped working, fix loose wiring or a wobbly back box, then test it safely.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 8 STEPSFix a wireless doorbell that has stopped workingTroubleshoot and fix a wireless doorbell step by step, from batteries and pairing to checking a hardwired transformer safely.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 10 STEPSLabel the circuits in your consumer unitTest each circuit breaker safely, note what it controls, then label your consumer unit clearly for future reference.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 13 STEPSRefix a light switch that's loose in the wallTurn off the power, work out what's behind the wall, then refit the switch with the right fixing and test it.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 8 STEPSRemove a stuck or broken light bulbTurn off the power, let the bulb cool, then remove a stuck or broken bulb safely and fit a new one.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 10 STEPSReplace a bathroom ceiling light like-for-likeTurn off the power, remove the old bathroom ceiling light, then fit and wire in its replacement safely.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 9 STEPSReplace a bathroom pull-cordTurn off the power, swap the old pull-cord switch for a new one, and fix it back securely to your wall type.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 8 STEPSReplace a broken dry-lining back boxSwap a cracked socket back box safely, matching the fixing to your wall type without disturbing the wiring.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 11 STEPSReplace a ceiling pendant light fittingTurn off the lighting circuit safely, take down the old pendant fitting, and wire in a replacement to the ceiling rose.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 9 STEPSReplace a cooker switch like-for-likeReplace a faulty cooker switch with an identical one, wiring it safely and testing power before finishing the job.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 9 STEPSReplace a damaged flex on a lampFit a new flex and plug on a lamp safely, matching wire colours correctly, with no wall drilling involved.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 10 STEPSReplace a fluorescent tube with an LED tubeIsolate the circuit, fit the right LED tube for your fitting, and recycle the old tube safely.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 9 STEPSReplace a fused spur faceplateLearn to safely swap a fused spur faceplate, checking the wiring and wall fixings before restoring power.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 7 STEPSReplace a GU10 downlight bulbSwitch off, let the bulb cool, twist out the old GU10 and click in a matching replacement.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 10 STEPSReplace a lamp holder on a pendantIsolate the circuit, prove it's dead, then swap the old lamp holder for a new one and restore power safely.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 9 STEPSReplace a light switch like-for-likeTurn off the power safely, swap over the wires, and fit a matching new light switch in one session.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 11 STEPSReplace a metal-clad socket in a garage like-for-likeTurn off the power, swap the metal-clad socket like-for-like, then test it before switching back on.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 10 STEPSReplace a pull-cord ceiling switchSwap a broken pull-cord switch safely, checking your ceiling type and wiring before fixing the new one in place.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 6 STEPSReplace a rewireable fuse in an old fuse boxLearn to safely isolate power, identify the right fuse wire rating, and rewire a blown fuse in an old consumer unit.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 10 STEPSReplace a shaver socket like-for-likeTurn off the power, swap the old shaver socket for a new one, and test it works safely.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 10 STEPSReplace a socket faceplate like-for-likeSwap a worn socket faceplate safely: isolate the circuit, reconnect the wires correctly, then test before switching back on.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 10 STEPSReplace a TV aerial socket faceplateSwap a cracked or outdated TV aerial faceplate safely, checking your wall type before fitting any new screws.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 10 STEPSReplace a two-way light switchTurn off the power, swap the switch terminals like-for-like, then test both switches operate the light safely.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 9 STEPSReplace a wall light fitting like-for-likeSwap an old wall light for a matching new one safely, checking wiring and wall type before fixing it securely.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 9 STEPSReplace a wired doorbell with a wireless oneSwap a wired doorbell for a wireless one, safely disconnecting the old wiring and fixing the new push button to any wall.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 10 STEPSReplace an extractor fan like-for-likeSwap a like-for-like extractor fan safely, checking wiring, ceiling type and circuit isolation before fitting and testing it.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 10 STEPSReplace an integrated LED downlight like-for-likeSwap a faulty integrated LED downlight for a matching one, working safely with the power off and the ceiling checked first.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 9 STEPSReplace an outdoor light fitting like-for-likeTurn off the power, swap your outdoor light fitting like-for-like, then test it safely once reconnected.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 9 STEPSReplace an oven light bulbSwitch off the oven, let it cool, then fit the correct heat-resistant bulb and test it works.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 10 STEPSReplace the fuse in a fused spurTurn off the power, prove it's dead, then swap the blown fuse inside the fused spur for the correct rating.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 8 STEPSReset a tripped circuit breakerFind out why your power tripped, reset the breaker safely, then check what caused it.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 9 STEPSSet up smart plugsSet up a smart plug so you can control an appliance from your phone or a schedule.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 7 STEPSSwap a socket for a USB socketReplace an existing socket with a USB socket safely, checking wiring, box depth and wall type before fixing the new faceplate.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 6 STEPSTest your RCDsTest every RCD in your consumer unit to confirm it cuts power instantly, keeping your home protected from shocks.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 8 STEPSUse extension leads safelyBuy the right extension lead, check the load, keep it uncoiled and never overload a socket.

ELECTRICAL BASICS · 8 STEPSWire a plugLearn to wire a UK 13A plug safely, connecting live, neutral and earth wires correctly, then fit the right fuse.