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A driving license allows you to legally drive or operate a motor vehicle. The rules and stipulations for obtaining one differ for each State and there are multiple classifications of drivers licenses that restrict how they can be used.

To be a professional driver, a commercial drivers license along with endorsements that require additional training is needed. The training and test requirements for the Commercial Drivers License are regulated at the Federal Government level.

The driving license is recognized interstate wide, meaning a license obtained in one state allows you to drive a vehicle in any other state in the country.

There is also an international drivers license, which allows you drive in other regions, however, in order to obtain one, you must have a valid driving license from your home country.

Obtaining a drivers license is an uncomplicated process in most jurisdictions, however, to the issuers and holders, the driver license is perhaps the most important document that can be possessed.

In most states in order to obtain a driving license, you may be required to first have learners permit. The learners permit allows to driver to a limited time while practicing or undertaking drivers education. The minimum age required varies from 14 years in some states to as high as 17 years old in other states and there may also be graduated license laws that restrict certain driving privileges. There are certain documents, such as birth certificates and social security numbers that are required along with photo identification.

In some areas, the drivers license test is comprised of both a written and practical or a behind-the-wheel driving test. It is now possible to practice or actually take the test online as many states now publish a drivers manual which list all the necessary qualifications required.

To take the test, is a simple procedure as booking an appointment at the local Department of Motor Vehicle office. In many situations, a written as well as a vision test is required when applying for an original driving license or when upgrading to a different classification. The drivers license usually expires five years after issue and renewal notices are sent to addresses of record approximately two months before the expiry date.

The license can be suspended and driving privileges lost for a number of reasons which can include conviction for driving under the influence (DUI). It is against the law to drive or operate a motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) over 0.08% or 0.04% for commercial vehicles. In some states, you can be sentenced to serve up to 6 months in prison and monetary fines between $400 and $1000 plus 3 times the assessed fine in penalty fees for a first time conviction.

There has been considerable debate on whether revocation of driving privileges is constitutional or whether it is a successful deterrent to reduce the occurrences of DWI.

The drivers license is now considered the most important document that it must be in your possession at all times even when you are not driving. It is often used as the primary form of identification as there are other forms of personal information that is attached to it and from which they can be retrieved.

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Source by Ador Talukdar

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When you start a Realtor sign installation business, you have access to a wide variety of potential business sources from residential to commercial to vacant land. You will also need to establish the geographical area that you can cover reliably.

In considering how to start a Realtor sign installation business, the first consideration has to be arranging for the production of signage materials. To print custom logos and colors you will need to set up arrangements with a silk screen printing company. This is a specialized process where the pattern is created on fabric with a resist material, then ink is pressed through in multiple color passes. You are also going to want to arrange for storage of the completed signs in a covered dry area with separators to protect their surface when not in use.

The signs themselves are almost universally mounted on four by four standard construction grade Douglas Fir posts, apart from larger commercial real estate signs which occasionally may require four by six posts. The plywood for lettering should be plywood with exterior grade glue and a smooth PTS “plugged and touch sanded” surface on both sides. Half inch thickness should suffice for most applications.

You will need a good knowledge of the area to accurately locate the sign placements. A GPS device is useful here, and you will also want to be able to read County Assessor plat maps if you are going to place signs on vacant land. You will also need to check local sign ordinances in developed areas. Know the restrictions on sign placement in gated communities, within homeowner association controlled developments, and in all areas with covenants, conditions and restrictions (CCRs) such as planned unit developments or town homes.

You also need to have reliable transportation consisting of a full size pickup truck with wood separator fixtures fashioned to secure the standard yard signs during transport.

Once your production capacity and storage arrangements are in place but not yet activated, you need to secure your accounts. In addition to marketing to conventional real estate offices, you will also want to pursue the bank REO (real estate owned) departments that need to liquidate foreclosed holdings and the independent agencies that are selling foreclosed properties in bulk.

Establish your pricing and service by comparison with sign companies in areas adjacent to your service area. Much of your marketing will be establishing contacts in person with the real estate office managers in your area. Be presentable, be persistent, be cordial, and be businesslike. These people need to know they can trust you to promptly and reliably place and remove their signs.

Almost every business today can benefit from an online marketing presence. A digital camera can provide you with promotional photographs for your web site, and templates are available online to simplify the process of setting up your site. Be sure to include a call to action on every page to encourage your visitors to request an estimate by e-mail. Also obtain their name and telephone in your online form to follow up with them consistently. The forms can be found by searching online for reply forms.

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Source by Daniel Dreifus

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EBC and Hawk Performance are two of the biggest names in automotive brake parts. Specializing in high performance braking, these two companies are often the primary choices of automotive enthusiasts.

EBC makes brake pads, rotors and fluid for a variety of vehicles; cars, trucks, SUV’s, motorcycles, ATV’s, bicycles and carts. Based in the United Kingdom, EBC has been making brake equipment since 1978. EBC makes a variety of brake pads, from mild to wild.

• EBC Ultimax brake pads are a semi-metallic compound offering an improved coefficient of friction over your stock brake pads while maintaining a quiet, predictable brake feel.
• EBC Green Stuff brake pads are the entry level performance brake pad. Perfect for heavier rides or commuter vehicles that do double-duty autocross sessions. Good initial bite provides an excellent brake feel while keeping dust and noise to a minimum.
• EBC Red Stuff brake pads are a ceramic compound that offers a high coefficient of friction for excellent initial pad bite. A great pad for spirited drivers who enjoy late braking. Due to the ceramic compound, you can expect less dust from these brake pads than from the Green Stuff pads.
• EBC Yellow Stuff brake pads are not great for driving on the street, but perfect for heavy track use. The amount of friction this pad delivers is huge, upping your forward G’s by as much as .2 (that’s a lot!). You can expect lots of dust with this pad, so if you buy the Yellow Stuff, make sure to buy some wheel cleaner too.
• EBC Green Supreme brake pads were made for trucks and SUV’s that demand better stopping performance without an increase in noise or dust.

Hawk Performance is a division of Wellman Products Group, which also owns Power Slot. While Power Slot makes all the brake rotors, Hawk makes all the brake pads. Hawk is so good at making brakes that the Sports Car Club of America has chosen Hawk to be the official brake pad of the SCCA.

• Hawk HPS brake pads are the ideal street-performance replacement pad from Hawk. Great initial pad bite in a low-dust semi metallic compound makes the HPS a winner for weekend autocross warriors.
• Hawk Performance Ceramic brake pads offer higher levels of friction than your stock pads while retaining the stock wear, noise and dust characteristics. Ideal for spirited street drivers who prefer little to no maintenance over higher performance.
• Hawk HP Plus is the perfect autocross and track day pad. Engineered to withstand higher temperatures for longer periods of time, the HP Plus pads keep brake fade to a minimum and friction to the max.
• Hawk LTS brake pads are a performance pad for heavier vehicles. Perfect for trucks and SUV’s, these pads will give you great braking feel, low dust and superior fade resistance.

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Source by Matthew Rimcrest

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According to the insurance industry, owning a car is pretty risky business. From auto repairs, collision hazards to driving habits and more, there’s more than basic or general liability to talk about.

But the pros tell us that putting in just a little bit of thought into everyday things we do with our vehicle can make a whole lot of a difference in any losses or damages to the pocket and otherwise.

Take for instance, the good old auto insurance policy. Have you even read about the actual coverage? Whether you scoot around in a motorcycle or ATV, drive a standard model car or the luxury or classic type, or find yourself behind the wheel of a massive RV or commercial truck, going over your plan with a reliable agency will reveal any gaps that need to be closed and avoiding any heartache in regard to an accident.

Of course, treating your vehicle with a little bit of love and care will go a long way in preventing visits to the local mechanic and the statements that accompany them. To clarify, we’ve created an easy guide to follow.

6 Great Tips from the Trusted Insurance Guys

• Refrain from driving on a low gas tank. Not only will driving this way make your drive far less efficient, it will also lead to compromises on your car’s fuel pump. This in turn can actually create a situation where you will have to get a new replacement and a substantial pain to your wallet.

• Don’t jump the gun when changing shifts. If you drive a car with an automatic transmission and shift to drive as you are backing up, you place a great strain on that poor transmission. Instead, after reversing down your home driveway, place your foot on the brake and then shift into the drive mode.

• If you tend to tailgate, you are a threat on the road. Drive smart by putting the recommended distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. You’ll reduce the risk of a crash by a large margin. Moreover, because people that tailgate brake at a higher rate than other drivers, avoiding the practice will save you from overusing your brakes and adding wear and tear to them.

• Go easy on your gas pedal. Don’t slam down on it as this will add to the general wear and tear and possibility of more car repair expense.

• If you are one of the many drivers that ignore the parking brake feature, it’s time to reevaluate the function. Relying only on putting your car on park adds unnecessary stress to that standard car part.

• Unload your car from any extra gear in the trunk. If you don’t need the baggage, you are unnecessarily bogging down your vehicle and putting your suspension, brakes and transmission at risk, not to mention the gas mileage.

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Source by M Wyzanski

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Negotiation. Involves two or more parties who are engaged in direct discussions with each other in a concerted effort of reaching an agreement. Both parties use persuasion and influence to get the other party to see things their way.

Example:

 A buyer and a salesman are negotiating a price for a car.

 A wife is negotiating with her husband over use of finances.

 A president is negotiating with another country’s leader to remove missile silos that threaten the security of the nation.

Arbitration. This is a form of resolving conflict that is handled outside of court where both parties come before a neutral third-party. The neutral third-party is usually a lawyer and the arbitrator listens to both sides and then passes judgment on a winner and a loser in much the same way as a judge does.

Example:

 Two employees are having issues with each other. They take these issues to the boss. The boss hears both sides and then decides to fire one of the employees.

 Two siblings are having a fight and the mother gets involved. The mother hears what they have to say, and of course both siblings are pointing fingers at the other side. The mother decides to ground them both.

Mediation. Similar to negotiation, but mediation involves the use of a neutral third-party who assists the negotiating parties in reaching an agreement. Mediation is used typically when direct negotiations have failed because the mediator can separate the people from the problem much easier than the stakeholders can.

Example

 A buyer purchases a used car from a seller. The car breaks down soon after. The buyer demands his money back. The seller accuses the buyer of damaging the car himself. Instead of dealing with the matter in court, which can be both costly and time-consuming for both parties, they instead agree to hire a mediator and work out their situation out of court.

 A couple decide to get a divorce, but argue over who gets what. Instead of waging legal war against each other, they decide to work out their agreement with a divorce mediator. The mediator uncovers what the needs and interests are for both the husband and wife as well as separating the emotions from the problems at hand.

 Two nations, on the verge of war after failed negotiations, agree to peace-talks. Neither side trusts the other side, so they ask for the help of a neutral representative to act as mediator for their talks. Through the mediator, both stake-holding countries are able to work out an agreement and avoid war.

© Copyright 2006 by Tristan Loo. All rights reserved.

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Source by Tristan Loo

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Towing services become indispensable when roads get crowded with vehicles. A vehicle needs to be removed from the road when parked at a wrong place or when it stops moving. Police departments, in some states, have the authority to get towing assistance from private firms.

There is generally two types of towing; emergency and non-emergency. These are some of the emergency situations where police agencies can remove a vehicle from the road.

Emergency towing situations

• When a car proposes a threat to traffic
• When a vehicle is involved in some kind of criminal activities
• When a stolen car is found and need to be shifted to a right place
• When a person is injured and cannot drive in a safe manner
• When a car is parked at the wrong place ?

Above are some of the situations when emergency towing is required. A police officer can have the authority and place a call to nearby car recovery service to remove a car from the road. Make sure your car is not causing trouble to others and drive carefully to avoid inconvenience.

Here are some of the mistakes you can make while parking a car:

• Parking a car blocking the traffic
• Parking a vehicle blocking a street
• Double-parking of a vehicle
• Parking a car in a no-parking area ?

Private towing companies provide a very broad line of services which includes removal or displacement of various heavy objects. It could be a damaged or malfunctioning truck. If you have any kind of vehicle, you had better a contact number of nearby towing service which could help you out in roadside troubles.

Main services of a towing company are:

• Relocating objects including all kind of light and heavy automobiles
• Providing minor repair, jump start, lockout etc
• Recovering damaged objects
• Assisting police departments
• Auto scrap removal
• Boosting

Characteristics of an excellent towing company

Towing is a highly technical job which requires skills, equipment, motivation, and knowledge. You need to make sure that the company meets the standards before calling them for the towing operations. Here are some of the characteristics of a good roadside recovery service:

• Certified well-trained staff
• Reliable machinery and equipment
• Fully tested recovery vehicles and drivers
• Fast response emergency services
• Professionalism coupled with dedication and honesty
• Affordable roadside assistance

Whether you need emergency or non-emergency towing service, make sure the service provider is dependable and reputable. It will ensure the safety of the object you want to tow and the safety of others. On top of that, it will save you time and money.

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Source by Basharat Khadim

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Have you ever wondered exactly what happens when you push down the clutch pedal? Without the clutch you would not be able to disengage the power of the engine or change gears! So how does it all work? A clutch is used to connect two moving shafts that are moving at different speeds. This allows us to disengage engine power without stalling the car or to be able to drive off smoothly allowing the engine’s power to transmit to the road gradually.

What is the clutch made up of? There are several major components starting with the flywheel which is connected to the engine, followed by the clutch plate which is connected to the transmission. Next is the pressure plate which holds the friction between the clutch plate and the flywheel. This part of the clutch takes an incredible amount of force & pressure. Next are the studs & the diaphragm spring. As the middle of the diaphragm spring is pushed in, a series of pins near the outside of the spring causes it to pull the pressure plate away from the clutch disc. This releases the clutch from the spinning engine. The next component is the throw-out bearing which is also known as a ‘clutch bearing’. It aids the smoothness of the transition and noise reduction. Next you have the clutch housing and release fork. The release fork’s job is to put force onto the pressure plate causing the pressure plate fingers to release. The bell housing contains all of the clutch components. The final part of the jigsaw puzzle is the gear box.

How can you look after your clutch? Don’t ride your clutch. We are all guilty of sitting in traffic jams or waiting for the lights to change, by holding the car steady on the clutch rather than the brakes. This can take years of life from the clutch! Intense heat builds of within the clutch and this can lead to the clutch burning out. Simply by holding the car on the foot brake or handbrake will dramatically reduce clutch wear. When you have fully released the clutch move your foot off the pedal as having the clutch slightly depressed will also increase wear to the clutch.

What are the signs of clutch wear? A slipping clutch can mean a new clutch is required. A simple way to see if your clutch is slipping is to find a reasonable hill or incline. Get your vehicle to a reasonable speed around 30-45 should be fine then select a high gear 4th or 5th and push the accelerator to the floor (if it is safe and legal to do so). If the vehicle’s rev counter suddenly raises with no equal sign of acceleration this can be a sign of clutch wear. Some vehicles do have the facility to adjust the clutch cable which can extend the life of the clutch.

Another sign of clutch wear is clutch judder. You would feel this feedback through the clutch pedal. If you feel a judder or thump during the gear change this may be an indication. This is generally felt at slower speeds or changing gear in the lower gears. The usual cause of this is that the clutch plate has moved slightly and become misaligned. This can also happen if the clutch plate or other parts have been renewed and not aligned correctly. The worst outcome from this would be that the flywheel has become damaged, and if this is the case specialist advice will be required, as the flywheel would generally mean the clutch assembly would also require changing!

Yet another sign of clutch wear is any unusual noises. Most noises on older cars are only to be expected; you would expect to hear some creaks and groans and whines after a few years. A bit like the wife (only joking)!! One noise that would be cause for concern would be if the whining noise also had a crunching sound within it. If you hear this type of sound then it is definitely worth getting your car repaired as soon as possible. This could be a sign of the clutch bearing beginning to wear. This component would need to be replaced as soon as possible. If it were left it would cause further damage and would cost a lot more money to rectify.

What else has a clutch? Well some people with automatic cars maybe surprised to find out that automatic cars also have clutches and some even have two? Lots of power tools are equipped with clutches as well. Drills are usually fitted with clutches so the user can disengage the drive faster. This allows the user to have far more control of the equipment. As you can imagine the safety benefits make the clutch a necessity. The strangest thing that I have come across that requires a clutch is a Yo Yo!

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Source by Harry Coombes

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Lightweight traveling trailers are great for outdoor type people who really would rather be out driving from campground to campground which means there won’t be the need to buy a hotel room when arriving at their temporary, but not ultimate, destination. Being on the move can last just long enough as the travelers want it to, stopping off at a scenic spot or two along the way to settle down if only for a while.

Travel trailers in this class can easily be hauled behind a truck or a van and will always come in many options like sizes and types. Whether someone buys a particular design depends on what kind of traveling they prefer.

Of the few things to remember about lightweight camper trailers the first one is that lighter trailers are less expensive to operate. It’s simple, the lighter the trailer, the less it will cost to take it around with you. The cost for fuel will be less and the weight of the actual trailer will be less than traditional trailers. Go light and pay less is the motto. The longer campers would take up over sixteen or so feet, in order to go lighter stick with something that is less than sixteen feet.

One thing to understand about going with a light trailer is that they may not be as strong as one of the heavier models. What is gained in gas mileage and maneuverability may be lost somewhat in durability. There is a trade off to be made, but with proper care and maintenance a light weight travel will last for a long time. Going in if there is a decision to keep the trailer away from rough roads and overloaded cargo the lighter trailers will last much longer.

There are some options that come with light travel trailers and these include luxury aspects of the trailer. There are many different styles and sizes to choose from and this means that some trailers can have more luxurious aspects to them while others will not. The larger the trailer the more potential it can have a grand space for living inside. These can include light furniture inside of them so the cargo inside the travel trailer doesn’t bog it down. Kitchens inside these campers can be set up as nice as the owner wants them to be assuming the space is there. It is incredible that some kitchenettes will make the trailer seem like an apartment that is on the road. If the trailer begins to take on too much interior items then the weight will go up as well, so be aware of this when considering options to include.

Lightweight trailers have some great possibilities and advantages over heavier more traditional trailers. It can’t be expected that light trailers can surpass the heavier models in all areas but if this is understood going in then it’s possible to adjust to the type of trailer being used and not to exceed its limits.

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Source by Jimmy Alvarez

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In steel applications where abrasion is an issue, AR500 steel plate can stand up to the test time and time again. That is because it is made from abrasion resistant steel properties and, as a result, offers outstanding wear and impact resistance. In addition AR500 steel affords fatigue and corrosion resistance for applications in which heavy wear and exposure to the elements are issues. In fact, this steel plate is so reliably made that consumers can count on it to perform consistently every time with no surprises. Following are some of the specifications that lend to that reliability.

AR500 steel plate achieves its surface hardness of a minimum of approximately 477 BHN and core hardness of approximately 450 BHN through a quenching and tempering process. As a result of this heavy duty strength, it is often the material of choice the heaviest wear applications. Machining AR500 can be a challenge. Drilling, countersinking, counterboring, tapping, milling, and general machining can be difficult due to its high hardness properties.

Although not typically intended for structural use, AR500 can be welded if low hydrogen-producing electrodes are used. In addition, when premium grades of AR500 steel plate are heat treated, they exhibit excellent through-hardening, improved forming and welding capabilities.

All of these properties add up to AR500 steel being a suitable material for mining equipment manufacturers, in the truck and trailer industries (in particular for chute liners), in forestry, in construction, and in the concrete and aggregate industries, all of which routinely require the abrasion and impact resistance on their equipment that AR500 provides. Whether it is slide wear, rub wear or heavy wear that a business is seeking to combat, AR500 steel plate can help them do just that.

Now that you know where AR500 steel is used, let’s talk a little bit about the basics surrounding it. The AR in the name isn’t just for branding purposes. It actually stands for abrasion resistance to indicate what this type of steel has to offer as its biggest selling point. The second half of the name, 500, indicates the approximate Brinell hardness of the steel, which represents the indentation hardness of a material through the scale of “penetration of an indenter.”

That hardness allows AR500 to withstand pressure of approximately 110 tons, 220,000 pounds. In comparison, mild steel amounts to only 120 on the Brinell scale. This is why steel targets are often made of AR500 steel instead of mild steel. Whereas mild steel produces divots when hit by bullets, even when it is double plated. Without the double plating the bullets pass right through the mild steel. On the other hand, when AR500 is used as a target, there is no damage done to the steel when the bullets hit it. The front surface remains nice and clean with no bumps, dents or penetration through the backside. This remains the case after multiple rounds of ammunition from a wide range of guns.

If AR500 steel can hold up to impacts like these then imagine what it can do in all your abrasive applications. Why trust them to anything else?

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Source by C. Meyman

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As an Electrical Contractor, each day, I’m called upon to come to a residence and try and locate the reason that there are electrical issues or outages. I drive what I refer to as a rolling supply house stocked with over 10,000 residential electrical parts on my truck so that I am prepared to fix any problem on the spot. Getting back to the title question, residential wiring is usually still safe after many years of service. However, there are many different types of residential wiring, depending on the age of your home. Some of the very first electrical systems in houses and apartments was called Knob & Tube wire. It worked well at the time it was installed, pre 1920’s and into the 1930’s, but is no longer considered safe. Many insurance companies will not insure a home that still uses Knob & Tube wiring. During the 1930’s, steel conduit became the standard method of residential wiring. The conduit began at the fuse box and traveled from outlet box to outlet box, from wall outlet to light outlet to switch outlet. Wire was pulled through the conduit to each needed location for switches, lights and receptacles. In my opinion, this was the best method ever conceived, even to this day. During the 40,’s & 50’s, many homes were wired with a spiral steel jacketed cable called BX. Inside the spiral steel jacket were either 2 or 3 conductors, or wires, usually copper or sometimes steel. Steel was used often during WW2. After the BX stage of wiring came Romex. Today’s Romex is a plastic jacketed cable containing 2 or 3 conductors (wires) similar to BX. Romex and BX are very similar in that the outer jacket is stripped where it enters the outlet box so that the conductors can be spliced or attached to the switch, light fixture, or receptacle from inside the outlet box. Both the BX and the Romex were stapled by hammer to the joists & studs. BX was difficult to strip. Romex was much easier and faster to strip. A sharp knife is my preferred tool, whereas BX requires a special tool that cuts through the steel jacket. During the late 1940’s, there was Romex in existence, but the outer covering was a cloth and oil based substance. It changed to various types of outer coverings until the early 1970’s when it became the standard plastic covering that we continue to employ today.

The safest residential wire, in my opinion, is the type that is protected best from critters, nails, and any other means of cutting into the wire. Knob & Tube is definitely not safe. Early Romex tends to shred where stapled to studs and attic joists, causing the potential for a shorted circuit (when a hot wire comes in contact with the neutral wire or ground wire). A short is supposed to trip the circuit breaker or blow the fuse. If the breaker does not trip, the short will continue to get hot and can very easily start an electrical fire. If you own an older home, have a professional licensed electrical contractor come out and evaluate your electrical system. Did you know that in many older homes, the kitchen light fixture has burned up the wires in the outlet box above it? Most older kitchen lights use a sealed drum type of light fixture. The maximum wattage of light bulb for a sealed drum fixture is 60 watts. Many people over the years have installed 100 watt bulbs in their kitchen fixtures to make the kitchen brighter! The fixture becomes an oven.

The best wiring methods in my opinion are post 1970 Romex and also early steel conduit. With steel conduit, it’s so easy to completely rewire the entire house. Just connect new wire to the old wire and pull it through the conduit! And if you still have glass plug fuses instead of circuit breakers, it’s time for a meter upgrade or a panel change-out. Just today I went on a service call and quickly found the problem. However, I came across something inside the panel that had I not looked inside, the potential for a fire was possible. Someone had added a 15 amp circuit into the box. Instead of placing that 15 amp, 14 gauge wire on a new 15 amp circuit breaker, the electrician doubled it onto another breaker with a wire already attached. It was a 20 amp circuit breaker! Good thing I checked.

If you are concerned about whether or not the wiring in your older home is safe, you should call in a licensed electrician or electrical contractor to take a look and do a safety inspection. Often if you are having some repairs done, the contractor may do an inspection and give you a verbal report at no charge. If they are not already there, you can expect to pay a few dollars for an inspection, however the peace of mind you will have knowing your wiring is safe is worth a few dollars.

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Source by James L Dent