In the photo that you wisely provided, I can see that there is a 'frame' of wood coving that surrounds the laid bed of tile - this can be done in a 'reverse' fashion, allow the same 11/2 to 2" wide area with either hardwood or (if you can find it) nifty decorative tile sections to lay in. If you are placing a wood stove back onto the hearth, it will keep the chips and ash/coals on the tile area - by the way, even at the angle of view that is nice right pleasing tiles worth keeping. Horse

Quick, easy and inexpensive - short lengths of stranded copper electrical wire. Depending on how much wear is at the screw holes, normally it would be two short lengths of 20ga wire after stripping the insulation off; if the holes are larger - try 18gauge wire. It is malleable and will conform with the screw taking up the slack.

This is not a stupid question, 'poster' tshawkins described it best for people to understand; whenever plugging/unplugging or opening/closing a breaker - an electrical spark will occur (especially if end equipment has a potential load).

The jumping of electricity across an open-air space creates ozone from the air, a by-product of a chemical makeup changes to the ambient air from the arc; this is a natural reaction of physics.

Even the adapter to charge small electronics, it has a transformer in the line to reduce the voltage; the transformer is the load - it will create a spark that you can see if paid attention to.

New appliances have 'pre-starters', so they are ready to be used immediately (but constantly have a draw on power); the properties or physics of electricity many do not understand.

Think of it as the same as water, it travels on the outside of the conductor; wires that are stranded or braided will carry more volume of load due to more physical surface area to travel on - the terms associated with it may help in the understanding.

Current, Flow, Pressure, Wave are all the hydraulic associations with electricity, if someone sensitive to nature and dowses for water; they can find exactly where buried power cables are. Heavy pressure (amperes) can be felt/seen with a compass, when it is flowing with a lot of pressure behind it; it will cause the wires to resonate/make sound and vibration - like everything, it is governed and confined by gravity.

The properties are fluid and dynamic for change with surrounding environment, heat and air pressure can cause resistance (watts) - if you have extra time for learning, a great many things are documented for any to view.

I have many large reference 'bibles' as well as code books that I still use (sometimes I have to look up a formula to equate end principle) and some are almost impossible to replace.

Hope I filled any holes, good fortune and the best for you. Horse