Speaker noise when metal USB plug touches my computer case and other electrical problems. [more inside]
posted by archagon on Nov 1, 2009 - 8 answers

Tell me all you know about electricity markets. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 21, 2009 - 11 answers

In the interests of science, please tell me how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) your house or apartment used last month and how much it uses in the middle of winter. If possible include variables like whether you use electric heat, air conditioning, electric or gas hot water heater, etc. [more inside]
posted by thewalrus on Oct 14, 2009 - 27 answers

How can I inexpensively stop my washing machine from melting my ice cubes without burning my house down? [more inside]
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! on Sep 17, 2009 - 13 answers

Can I wire two light switches into one switch? [more inside]
posted by furtive on Sep 7, 2009 - 6 answers

Replacing ceiling fixture. Removed old fixture. Help me identify the wiring so I can wire the new one? [more inside]
posted by stupidsexyFlanders on Sep 5, 2009 - 11 answers

I want to create a customized Settlers of Catan board. For the purposes of this question, it could also be a custom Monopoly board. I want the pieces ( cities / hotels ) to light up when they are placed on the board. I know I would put LED's in each piece, but besides that, I am not sure if or how I could power up the LED's. I am not an electrical engineer, but magnets, watch batteries or inductive charging sound good to me. Help me make an awesome electronic board game!
posted by jasondigitized on Sep 4, 2009 - 8 answers

When my window-unit air conditioner revs its motor, my overhead light dims... then seriously brightens up when the AC slows down. It's annoying. Is there anything I can do? [more inside]
posted by SuperNova on Aug 19, 2009 - 11 answers

Do 2 or 4 bulbs in a regulation exit sign light up automatically? Ie, are the two outer small bulbs automatic and the two inner 120V/4W jobs there as backup? I'm not an electrician and retailers don't have much (anything) in the way of repair guides..only product order forms. [more inside]
posted by JaiMahodara on Aug 13, 2009 - 1 answer

My new rented house used to be a duplex, and it still has two electricity meters. Do we really have to pay two bills every month because of this? [more inside]
posted by showbiz_liz on Aug 12, 2009 - 14 answers

One of the zones in my outdoor sprinkler isn't working, caused it appears by a malfunctioning solenoid valve. I spent the morning learning how to inspect, repair and/or replace it, and I'm about to do so, but I am unsure as to whether electricity is running to it. How can I know? [more inside]
posted by scunning on Aug 8, 2009 - 7 answers

Will a surge protector or UPS plugged into an ungrounded outlet do anything to protect my electronics in the event of a power surge? [more inside]
posted by nitsuj on Jul 30, 2009 - 8 answers

Calling all MeFi electricians: why does my light switch make a popping noise, and will it kill me? [more inside]
posted by feathermeat on Jul 1, 2009 - 12 answers

What are the best options to measure the electricity usage of common area in a condo? [more inside]
posted by coust on Jun 16, 2009 - 8 answers

Is it okay to use a window fan during a thunderstorm? [more inside]
posted by MesoFilter on Jun 11, 2009 - 7 answers

What would it take to print a few thousand sheets of paper every other day while completely off the grid? [more inside]
posted by croutonsupafreak on Jun 6, 2009 - 20 answers

Why do the glass parts of my light bulbs keep separating from the metal? [more inside]
posted by emumimic on Jun 2, 2009 - 7 answers

What can I do to help a friend with interference issues causing phone problems in her house? [more inside]
posted by notashroom on May 13, 2009 - 7 answers

Should I keep my camera turned on to save electricity? [more inside]
posted by devnull on May 13, 2009 - 7 answers

How dangerous is it to take apart an old TV if it has been unplugged for many months? [more inside]
posted by yarrow on May 2, 2009 - 15 answers

What DC voltage does an average LCD monitor use? [more inside]
posted by leafxor on Mar 27, 2009 - 4 answers

Construction electrical: why is this service panel on sale at more than an 80% discount? [more inside]
posted by XMLicious on Mar 16, 2009 - 5 answers

Craigslist HD TV deal..it was $25. The rub being it "doesn't always turn on". The first week it was fine. Then it started not turning on until later in the evening. The boyfriend (possibly) diagnosed the problem and will attempt to fix it when it becomes absolutely necessary. However, until then we are leaving it on all the time. [more inside]
posted by Epsilon-minus semi moron on Mar 15, 2009 - 20 answers

Is there a list of datacenter projects that have been built from a green-field state to take advantage of a guaranteed low per kilowatt-hour electrical rate? In particular I'm thinking of the big Google facility near The Dalles, Oregon and the Microsoft datacenter in a small eastern Washington town. Both were built in areas with excess capacity originally intended to serve large Aluminum smelters. [more inside]
posted by thewalrus on Mar 5, 2009 - 5 answers

I just got shocked while making coffee. In the 16 years I've had the machine it's never happened before. What's the deal? [more inside]
posted by miss lynnster on Feb 23, 2009 - 18 answers

No power to a specific receptacle in the house. Changing the receptacle doesn't work. Now what? [more inside]
posted by bitteroldman on Feb 21, 2009 - 12 answers

What would you name a green project that saves electricity throughout a building? [more inside]
posted by Black_Umbrella on Feb 7, 2009 - 17 answers

Wiring question: What is this crazy non-standard switch I need? [more inside]
posted by stormygrey on Jan 30, 2009 - 16 answers

Why would someone steal the electricity meter from the outside of a house? [more inside]
posted by sarahmelah on Jan 29, 2009 - 16 answers

Just returned from fabulous 2 week holiday in New York. I Brought back Epson Artisan 800 All-in-One Printer from Staples costing $230. Unfortunately, I cannot use it in U.K., unless I plug voltage converter/transformer products. Has anyone else bought this set over there with more success? Any advice \ information appreciated. Please specify me What exact voltage converter product to buy & where to buy it from USA online store. Thanks. [more inside]
posted by omaralarifi on Jan 28, 2009 - 4 answers

Why would my mum's (inside) microwave set off her (outside) motion detector? [more inside]
posted by ClarissaWAM on Jan 27, 2009 - 9 answers

What percentage of U.S. power plants can run on either natural gas or residual fuel oil? Please cite source.
posted by zembla3 on Jan 16, 2009 - 4 answers

Beeping fire alarm. Should I be alarmed? [more inside]
posted by jujube on Jan 16, 2009 - 20 answers

How to accurately (and cheaply) measure my electricity consumption? [more inside]
posted by santaliqueur on Jan 9, 2009 - 21 answers

On one of the morning "news" shows (Today, GMA, one of those, don't remember which), a guest recently said that an Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 will use just as much power turned off as it does when in use - that you have to physically unplug them to get them to stop draining the juice. The Wii, it was said, is fundamentally different, has some kinda internal widget that makes it more energy efficient. Any truth at all to this?
posted by jbickers on Dec 7, 2008 - 24 answers

How do I wire up this infra-red mains light switch. [more inside]
posted by matholio on Dec 6, 2008 - 1 answer

How do I keep the GFI from tripping? [more inside]
posted by clarkstonian on Nov 25, 2008 - 21 answers

I would like to learn more about electricity markets, electrical infrastructure, utilities, transmission systems, generation technologies, applicable regulations, etc. Where can I find up-to-date and comprehensive information on these topics? [more inside]
posted by theexpgen on Nov 20, 2008 - 6 answers

Can I damage my laptop by using a power adapter that has a slightly higher wattage than the original adapter? The original adapter was 65W, and the aftermarket one is 70W. The voltage is switchable. My original adapter had a voltage of 18.5V, this one says that if I need 18.5V, I should choose 18V. Any chance of damaging the computer by using this one? [more inside]
posted by leticia on Nov 13, 2008 - 8 answers

I'm trying to find out the date and time that the city of New Orleans lost power during Hurricane Katrina. A customer service representative at Entergy told me that it was staggered throughout the morning of August 29th, the day the storm hit Louisiana, but I would really love more specific information. After searching news archives and situation reports, all I've found so far is that the Superdome lost power at 5am that same morning. Where can I find the time and date?
posted by easy_being_green on Nov 7, 2008 - 2 answers

Does anyone have any recommendations on the best power companies to use in Houston, TX? [more inside]
posted by arcticseal on Nov 6, 2008 - 3 answers

What happened to my car? What did I do when I drove through that puddle? [1999 Ford Taurus] [more inside]
posted by rossination on Nov 5, 2008 - 8 answers

How do you control the speed of a 3-phase AC induction motor? [more inside]
posted by spacewrench on Oct 9, 2008 - 2 answers

Having watched Thunderbolts of the Gods, and found it quite eye-opening, I'm wondering if there are compelling reasons to accept or not to accept the possibility that the Sun is made of electrical plasma, rather than being a nuclear furnace.
posted by Tarn on Oct 2, 2008 - 11 answers

Does my window air conditioner use just as much electricity on the "fan" setting as it does on the "cool" setting? [more inside]
posted by amro on Sep 28, 2008 - 7 answers

How can I ground a large roll of plastic wrap to prevent static electric shocks when unrolling it? [more inside]
posted by attercoppe on Sep 25, 2008 - 7 answers

What can cause a house's lights to dim and flash? [more inside]
posted by Nelson on Sep 8, 2008 - 7 answers

Why should energy supply companies bother making people houses greener when they are essentially reducing demand for their good? (quite a UK based question) [more inside]
posted by henry.oswald on Sep 8, 2008 - 11 answers

What does it take to convert a house from natural gas to electricity for the stove, dryer, hot water tank, etc.? [more inside]
posted by AllieTessKipp on Sep 5, 2008 - 18 answers

First time living alone, and just got my first electric bill... what's using so much power? How much power does my computer really use? [more inside]
posted by Kosh on Sep 4, 2008 - 35 answers