ELECTRICAL

Ribbed = neutral. Smooth = hot. Green or bare copper = ground. This is the single most useful thing you can know before touching a wire.

Your breaker box controls every circuit in your house. Knowing how it works means you can troubleshoot problems yourself.

The outlets with the test/reset buttons aren't just a quirk — they're code-required life safety devices. Here's what each one protects against and where they're legally required.

The thinner the cord, the more resistance, the more heat. AWG numbers go backwards. A 16-gauge cord running a space heater is how house fires start.

Replacing a standard 15A outlet is one of the simplest electrical jobs you can do yourself. The part costs $1. The steps are the same every time.

Most people put them in the wrong spots. The code requirements exist because where you place them determines whether they work.

A power strip just adds outlets. A surge protector absorbs voltage spikes before they reach your electronics. Plugging your computer into the wrong one won't save it.

Volts times amps equals watts. That's it. Once you know that, you can figure out why your breaker trips and what you can safely plug in.