Low Voltage DIY Electrical Repairs

Identifying the actual source of electrical troubles usually begins from specific points and then moves on from there. Before an electrical repair, you must check the most common trouble spots. Here are some common electrical problems and how to handle them on your own.

The doorbell is not operational-

This indicates a spoilt doorbell button. Unscrew your doorbell button and remove every wire on the back and then cross them. If this doorbell rings, then the button is certainly a problem. Have it replaced using a similar unit. 

A steadily ringing bell-

Doorbell buttons tend to short circuit after some time. First unscrew the button and then pull out the button assembly to inspect the wires. You might have to check these wires up to their entry into the wall. Upon locating the short, try wrapping an electrical tape around the wire and then reassemble the button. 

A ceiling or wall light never works after bulb replacement-

Cut the power supply towards your wall switch and then remove it. Press a single test lead to every side of terminal screw of the switch using the least setting in the multi meter’s ohm scale. There will be no reading while the switch is off but when it is on; there will be a full electrical path which is indicated by some tiny resistance. Electricity will flow from the used meter via the switch and then back to that meter again. Use the needle-nose pliers in bending up the brass found in the lower part of your bulb socket; if the switch is okay. Then reinstall the bulb and then restore the power to the circuit. 

A cordless power tool does not get sufficient power-

Run this tool till your battery remains with some small charge; though not entirely discharged. Have it placed on the charger, and then upon recharge, check it using a multi meter set to DC voltage. Have the test leads pressed against the terminals of the battery. Any low voltage is an indication of a shorted battery. Take the charger, battery and the tool to a reliable service center.                                                                      

The new cordless phone seems not to hold a charge-

Here, the cradle is base upon which the phone gets charged on sitting or mounted at some odd angle. Use the pencil eraser to clean cradle contacts and wipe using a soft cloth while ensuring that the handset sits in such manner that the “charging” or “in use” sign appears. 

An extension cord-plugged device fails to work-

Plug any known operational device into an outlet device and then check the circuit breaker of the outlet. Take this device and then plug it carefully into the cord. Failure indicates that the cord is short. Use a multi meter to test this. Set the multi meter to the lowest ohm scale and then press one of the test leads into one cord slot and the other one against the corresponding prong. Any cut wire within the cord would show a zero reading on the ohm scale; whereas the electrical leakage between the wires would show an ohm reading when tested.