Jesse Kuhlman
Master Electrician, Kuhlman Electric
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Co-authored Articles (30)
How to
Measure Amperage
If you're working on an electrical project, sometimes you may need to check the amperage, or how much electricity is flowing through the circuit. While this is not a common test, you might need to measure amps to determi...
How to
Test a Battery Charger
Easy ways to test the charging capabilities of a standard or car battery chargerKnowing how to test a battery charger, whether it’s for the rechargeable kind used in small appliances or the one that powers your automob...
How to
Read a Multimeter
The labels on a multimeter can seem like their own language to a layman, and even people with electrical experience may need a helping hand if they encounter an unfamiliar multimeter with an offbeat abbreviation system. ...
How to
Ground an Outlet
Older homes often have two-pronged receptacles (sometimes referred to as outlets) that should be replaced with a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFI or GFCI) receptacle. Some newer houses may likewise have a receptacle...
How to
Test a Transformer
Transformers are an electrical component that transmit electrical energy between at least two circuits. Transformers regulate the voltage in circuits, but in some cases these can go bad and cause a circuit to not work. Y...
How to
Use a Multimeter
A multimeter is an instrument used to check for AC or DC voltages, resistance and continuity of electrical components, and small amounts of current in circuits. This instrument will let you check to see if there is volta...
How to
Splice Wire
Connect two wires using a twist-on wire cap, shrink tubing, or a soldering iron Splicing is the process of combining 2 lengths of wires so they can carry a current. Before you splice your wires together, you need to prep...
How to Run Electrical Wires through Finished Walls
If you’re extending a circuit to add a new outlet or switch, fishing wires through your walls will help keep them out of sight and up to code. While running wires behind a finished wall might seem tricky, it's actually...
How to
Install a Circuit Breaker
Installing a circuit breaker is sometimes considered the most intimidating part of home electrical work. In fact, most people choose not to do it themselves out of fear of being shocked. However, installing circuit break...
How to
Use a Digital Multimeter
A digital multimeter is a super handy tool for quickly measuring voltage, resistance, continuity, and current in many types of electrical circuits. It’s really easy to use a digital multimeter once you understand what ...
How to
Determine Amperage of Circuit Breaker
Each circuit breaker has a specific rated amperage, or amount of current. When that amperage is exceeded, the circuit breaker shuts down the flow of current in that circuit to prevent damage to the wiring and appliances....
How to
Convert AC to DC
Power supplied to your home usually uses an alternating current (AC) since it’s more efficient and doesn’t lose voltage over long distances. However, many appliances and electronics use direct current (DC), which pro...
How to
Find the Fuse Box or Circuit Breaker Box
While it is not a common occurrence, every once in a while you may have to replace a fuse or reset a breaker. It helps to know where your circuit breaker or fuse box is beforehand so you aren't searching in the dark duri...
How to
Test the Amperage of an Outlet
Figuring out your home electricity system can be confusing, especially if you’re trying to figure out how much electrical current, or amperage, runs through a specific outlet. While individual circuits are labeled with...
How to Reset a GFCI Outlet
So you plugged something in to an outlet in your kitchen, bathroom, or garage, but it doesn't turn on. A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet trips and loses power to protect you from injuries, but how can you ...
How to
Use an Ammeter
Whether you are doing diagnostics or just learning about circuits, knowing the current is an important part of electrical work. Current is the measure of the flow of electricity through a circuit in amperes (amps) by a d...
How to
Change a Circuit Breaker
A circuit breaker is designed to stop the power flow through a circuit if there is an excessive amperage drawn on said circuit. Occasionally, these breakers go bad and will need to be changed. It is highly recommended th...
How to
Test a Multimeter
A multimeter is a device that measures several different kinds of electric power, making it a handy tool for all households to have. However, like all devices, a multimeter could gradually fail over time, and there are 2...
How to
Connect Electrical Wire
Proper electrical connections require good electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. These properties do not always go hand-in-hand. Here are some tips to make sure you've got both.
12 Clever Ways to Cover & Hide Outlets
Learn how to disguise your electrical sockets so they don’t disrupt your home decorAlthough essential, electrical outlets can be a bit of an eyesore. They can also be a hazard in homes with pets or young children. Cove...