1. How does “simple electrical home improvements” differ from “major” improvements requiring a certified electrician?
This question is really dependent on the level of knowledge our do-it-yourselfer possesses.  For the beginner, simple would be changing a light switch, upgrading a dimmer or making a small change to an existing outlet or wall plate and working with the wiring under it.  To a more advanced do-it-yourselfer, installing a ceiling fan or adding garden lighting could be considered “simple”.  Regardless of what level of do-it-yourself knowledge you possess, any work involving the main electrical panel on your home should be conducted by a qualified electrician.

2. What is the difference between voltage (volts) and amperage (amps)?
Voltage is power.  Amperage is the amount of power used like the total amount of water flow. You need a larger pipe to carry a lot of water flow, and you need heavier wire to carry more amperage.

3. What is the difference between 120 and 230 volt?
Your larger appliance (those requiring more amperage such as stoves, air conditioners, clothes dryers, electric water heaters, etc) will run on 230 volt.  All other plug in appliances, lighting and plugs throughout your home will be 120 volt.

4. What is a “receptacle”?
A receptacle can be a number of things.  For the purpose of the HowToElectrician, a receptacle is any plug-in or switch in your home.  When viewing the videos on this site, once you have removed your switch or plug-in you are working within the receptacle box wiring.

5. What is the difference between a ground wire, live wire and neutral wire?
The ground wire (usually the bare or green copper wire) is for safety.  It is the conductor that goes to the ground rods, the main water bib (a water bib is where the main water line comes into your home) and your main electrical panel.  In turn this is run to all grounding connections in your home.

The neutral wire, always a white wire in the receptacle, is needed to complete a circuit.  The neutral wire is not live.

Any color other than white will be the live “or power” wire.  The live current is conducted through this wire and offers the most potential danger.  This is the wire that you should always test with your toner tester.

6. Does someone really need a “tester” to accomplish electrical improvement projects and why is it needed?
Yes.  It is highly recommended for safety purposes and can be purchased for under $15.  This handy little tool can be used to verify that power is going to any plug or switch in your house. 

7. Do a switch and a plug differ from an electrical project point of view?
No.  The switch or plug will serve different purposes but the wiring in the receptacle will be the same.  Of course, this wiring will differ a little in a variety of circumstances.  For example, if you are doing a single pole switch the wiring configuration will look a little different than a 3 way system, etc.

8. Are wire colors and type standardized?
Yes.  The neutral wire is always white.  The ground wire is always copper or green.  The one exception would be the live wire.  Traditionally that one is black however in some cases other colors are used.  Those exceptions are related to electrical theory and this site is not intended to educate to the level of a trained electrician.

9. What is a wire nut and how is it used?
A cone shaped threaded plastic twist-on wire connector that's used to connect wires together.  There are many different sizes of wire connector.  You should check that the connector you're using is the correct size for the quantity and sizes of wire you're connecting together.

10. When stripping wire how much exposed wire should there be?
Usually a ½ inch.  However you will need enough bare wire to securely wrap it around the conducting screw so sometimes some discretion is required.  Never strip more off than you absolutely have to.  You want to avoid any exposed wire in your home project.