Electricity consists of a flow of electrons moving through wires, much like water moves through your plumbing system. The gauge of the wire is equivalent to the diameter of a pipe.

Installing new wiring demands careful planning. You'll need to figure out beforehand exactly which existing circuit you'll be tapping into, whether that circuit can handle the extra load, and what type of wire you'll need.

When an electrical outlet won't hold a plug securely, or when it causes a short circuit whenever you try to use it, you may have to replace the outlet.

You probably already have many of the tools needed for electrical repairs. A selection of screwdrivers, a hammer, long-nose and slip-joint pliers, a utility knife, a tape measure, and a nut driver are all common household tools.

If you have an older home, its wiring may not be up to the loads demanded by twenty-first century life. Microwave ovens, computers, V-C-R's, larger T-V's, and a host of modern appliances place an ever-greater strain on a home's energy system.