In today’s project you can get your hands dirty and learn about circuits at the same time! Follow our step-by-step instructions to create your own dirt battery using just dirt, copper wire, galvanized steel screws, an ice tray, LED diodes, and….a lemon?
We’d love to see your completed projects! Email us ( admin@dunmanelectric.com) a photo of your dirt battery with your name and age to enter our monthly raffle for a Snap Circuits Explorer kit!
by Craig Dunman, Master Electrician
Swapping out your outlet and light switch covers is one of the simplest ways to clean up a space. If the old ones are cracked, stained, or painted over from a rushed remodel or “landlord special,” replacing them makes an immediate difference. It’s a quick project — no special tools, no license required. Just grab a screwdriver, press play on your favorite podcast, and set aside a few minutes per room. You’ll be surprised how much fresher everything looks once those old plates are gone.
Yes! As long as you’re working with just the cover plate, not the outlet or switch itself, this is entirely safe for you to do on your own! That plastic faceplate is just a shield. You’re not dealing with wires, terminals, or anything live unless you go poking around underneath, which you should not be doing.
1. Start smart.
Go ahead and unplug anything that’s plugged into the outlet that you’re working on. From there, it’s smart to flip the breaker for that part of the house to ‘off’ just as an added precaution.
If you have a voltage tester, now is the time to use it to double-check that there’s no power at the outlet before you get started. This part is optional, but helpful if you want that extra layer of reassurance.
Even though you’re just changing the cover and not messing with any wiring, cutting the power takes about ten seconds and keeps things simple.
2. Unscrew the old plate.
Use a flathead screwdriver. Most plates have a single screw in the center. Keep the screw if you’re reusing it, or swap it out with the one from the new plate.
3. Check the area around the outlet or switch.
You should see a snug box in the wall with no loose wires. If anything looks burnt, cracked, or melted, pause here. That’s not a cosmetic fix anymore. You will need to give a licensed electrician a call. If everything looks good, move on to the next step!
4. Attach the new cover.
Line it up and screw it in gently. Don’t over tighten. Snug is enough. Overdoing it can crack the plate or twist the switch behind it.
5. Test it.
Flip your breaker back on if you flipped it off in step 1. Turn the light back on or plug something in. If everything works as expected, you’re good to go!
If the outlet is loose, if anything sparks or smells off, or if you see exposed wires moving when the cover comes off — STOP That’s the point where a licensed electrician should take over. Otherwise? This one’s all you. Simple, fast, and surprisingly satisfying.
If you are running into exposed wires, sparks, and odd smells OR you simply don’t want to bother with all of the fuss, give us a call and we’ll get it taken care of for you!
Did you know that electricity flowing through a wire can create an invisible magnetic field? Well, it can! Try this project to create your own, low voltage electromagnet! To get started, open our How To Sand Enameled Wire page for reference and follow the instructions below! Be careful to never touch exposed wire and be sure to disconnect your electromagnet when you’re finished playing with it to avoid overheating the wire and battery. Always ask for help from your adults when handling electricity!
We’d love to see your completed projects! Email us ( admin@dunmanelectric.com) a photo of your electromagnet in action with your name and age to enter our monthly raffle for a Snap Circuits Explorer kit!
There are many different situations where you may need to sand enameled wire for use in our project series in the Kids’ Corner of our site. We’ve included these instructions for your convenience along with a purchase link for our recommended wire here.
Today, we will be exploring the Lorentz Force and how you can use it to create your very own simple motor using electricity and magnetism! All you need to get started is 18 gauge copper wire, 1 AA battery, 1-2 disc magnets, wire cutters, and some pliers! Remember to ask an adult for help with cutting your wire!
We’d love to see your completed projects! Email us ( admin@dunmanelectric.com )a photo of your homopolar motor with your name and age to enter our monthly raffle for a Snap Circuits Explorer kit!
In today’s project you can get your hands dirty and learn about circuits at the same time! Follow our step-by-step instructions to create your own dirt battery using just dirt, copper wire, galvanized steel screws, an ice tray, LED diodes, and….a lemon?
We’d love to see your completed projects! Email us ( admin@dunmanelectric.com) a photo of your dirt battery with your name and age to enter our monthly raffle for a Snap Circuits Explorer kit!