Every month, we pick the top Ideas That Work submitted by you, ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR readers. These ideas can't be found in any code or guidebook and are only learned or devised through years of experience and thinking, "There's got to be a better way to do this!" Please remember, the ideas presented in this article are for consideration only. Before using such ideas, make sure codes and safety standards have been fully adhered to.

Now, without further ado, here are this issue's Ideas That Work!

Keeping things together

Every time I need to put screws in a horizontal or inclined position in a deep box, they fall from the screwdriver tip, even though it’s magnetic. To solve this, I cut a short piece of electrical tape and apply it around the screwdriver tip and screw head; that keeps things together.

Luis Cisneros
Compton, Calif.

Reflection solution

When installing dusk-to-dawn lighting, the photosensor may shut off the light or cause it to cycle on and off due to reflective lighting from the fixture. I suggest installing an EMT conduit bushing over the end of the photosensor to reduce the amount of light reflected to the sensor, eliminating any cycling.

Mike Dreps
Waterloo, Ill.

Battery drill extension

Did you know you can make an extension for your 10-in-1 screwdriver? I saw someone toss out a screwdriver once because he had managed to wreck just about all of the tips. So, I took the 5/16-inch barrel, along with one of the ¼-inch barrels, and—ta-da!—I had a nice extension for my driver.

Justin Walecka
Fall River, Mass.

IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA that has saved you time or money on the job, ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR ­readers would like to hear about it. Be sure to include a good photo of your idea—hand sketches are often hard to interpret. Note that some similar ideas are submitted by more than one person. In these cases, the one that is more clearly written and includes a photo is given precedence. Send your letter and photo to Jack Pullizzi, Ideas Editor, ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 1100, Bethesda, MD 20814-5372, e-mail [email protected], or use the online submission tool at www.ecmag.com/ideasthatwork.

CASH AND TOOL PRIZES FOR WINNING IDEAS Each published author in Ideas That Work receives a $50 American Express gift card from ELECTRICAL ­CONTRACTOR. In addition, Southwire (www.southwiretools.com) will send the following set of electrician’s tools to each month’s first-place winner:

• Cable cutter
• Fish tape
• Long nose pliers
• Side cutting pliers
• Diagonal cutting pliers
• Pump pliers
• Screwdriver
• Wire stripper
• Crimpers
• Multimeter

DISCLAIMER: The ideas presented in this article are for consideration only. Before using such ideas, make sure codes and safety issues have been fully adhered to. ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR disclaims any liability from your use of these or any other ideas. ­ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR reserves the right to reprint the words herein at its discretion.