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Questions tagged [electricity]

Hacks to related to electricity: safe practices, electrical work, efficient usage, etc.

Hacks to related to electricity: safe practices, electrical work, efficient usage, etc.

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If your question is off-topic here, it may be on-topic at Electrical Engineering SE or Home Improvements SE, depending on the nature of your question.

46 questions
29
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8 answers

How to jump start a car without another car

There have been a few times when my car battery has died. Luckily, there has always been another car around to jump start me. I've always been scared that there will be a time when my battery dies and there is no one around to jump start me. How can…
michaelpri
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23
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6 answers

How can I avoid getting static shocks in the winter?

Some days, it feels like everything I touch gives me a shock. Car door, metal sink, even the dishwasher. What can I do to reduce static shocks?
Scimonster
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19
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13 answers

How can I tell if there was a power cut while I was out?

I have a battery recharger that shows no indication when the batteries are fully charged. I'm supposed to assume they are fully charged after 8 hours. If I leave the batteries to charge while I'm out during the day and there is a power cut while I'm…
EmmaV
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18
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9 answers

How can I charge my smartphone faster?

Sometimes I get home and need to go out again soon and only have a short while to charge up my phone before I leave. Any tips or tricks on how to charge my phone any quicker? I don't want to have to mess around with the charger or the phone…
MrPhooky
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14
votes
7 answers

My monitor turns off when fridge starts. How can I stop this?

I just moved to a new flat and I brought my monitor with me. My problem is that whenever the fridge starts, my monitor turns off. This is not only annoying, but I'm concerned that it could cause long-term damage to my monitor. How can I fix this?…
Joaquin De La Sierra
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14
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5 answers

How do I know how much charge a battery has left?

I have a box full of batteries (AA, AAA, 9V, and CR2032). I know some are empty because I chucked them in there together with full ones, which was probably not a smart thing to do. Is there an easy way to know the (approximate) charge of these…
Martin Tournoij
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11
votes
6 answers

How to generate electricity for free?

Are there any ways of generating electricity for free*? It doesn't have to be 110/220/230V, but for example charging the mobile would be useful. * - free in terms of money, e.g. without paying electricity/gas bill for its generation (purchase not…
kenorb
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10
votes
5 answers

Remove Broken Lightbulb from holder

The light bulb broke off but the metal portion remains in the holder. What is the best or safest way to remove this bulb from the holder?
Steven
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9
votes
5 answers

How do I prevent batteries from leaking?

I have recently bought a battery powered LED lamp for use on a camping trip. When I return I would like to have it ready for use at home when the power goes out. I am concerned that as it will be unused for long periods of time the batteries may…
Kelly Thomas
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9
votes
1 answer

Changing a lightbulb high up without a ladder

I have a burnt out lightbulb that's in an open fixture about 15 feet (4.6 metre) high. How can I change it without a ladder or using one of those bulb changer extension arms? I tried the extension arm, but it wouldn't grip the bulb well.
Ben
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8
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1 answer

How to fish electric wire from one end to other end of a long pipe

I have a couple of narrow pipes and couple of bent pipes in my home. I want to bring electric wires from one end to other end. I need simple, cheap & quickest ways to do that.
Harish S
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8
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3 answers

How to plug a twisted electrical wire

In the part of the world where I live, some workers carry multiple pieces of long wires in case the power source is far away, so they can connect various wires and reach the plug. Since most of these wires need to be connected to each other, there…
skv
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7
votes
3 answers

Check for electricity in a socket without tools?

How can I check if there is electricity in a power socket without a tester or any other specialized tools? Note: The method should not involve the destruction of the socket or my whole power supply!
G.Rassovsky
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6
votes
1 answer

How can I hide a cable from a lamp in my room

In my room I have got a lamp and have a frustrating cable hanging against the wall. How can I hide the cable?
Thomas Vos
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6
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6 answers

How to prevent static electricity/static current

I had been getting very much of static current to a point where I am afraid of touching things. Even the shock had me overturn my coffee mug on me and my laptop. But now I am afraid of touching a thing like a normal person. Be it blinds, car handle,…
localhost
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