The harms of switching hot and neutral wires?
6 years ago
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- 6 years ago
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Wiring Neutral cable (pass through) on a switch.
Comments (5)To be very specific, a neutral is not required at switch locations UNLESS there is a pilot light or some other load at that location which requires a neutral. Many switch locations will have a neutral which is just "passing through" due to the supply wiring coming first to that switch location. Of course, it is possible to have a neutral at every switch location by running a white conductor for that purpose- easily done for conduit systems, sometimes more difficult to do per code if NM cable is used. It increases the cost and in most cases, that neutral is never used. An electrician who bids every job with neutral to every switch location even if not on the job specifications will price his work above that of the competition....See MoreWhich is Neutral / Hot Wire? (SPT-2)
Comments (2)No, the printing or ribs goes on the neutral wire by convention. Of course, modifying the appliance screws up your UL certification (if you care). The other option is that you can find at your local discount store or home center an extension cord with a switch already in it. Here is a link that might be useful: Example of what I'm talking about...See MoreNeutral wire as hot return from 3-way switch?
Comments (7)I don't quite follow "these are the only two wires you need to deal with" - are you saying that you can do a 3-way with only 2 wires (replace single-pole with 3-way) in existing box? Or do you have to run a new traveler to the existing location ("Connect the new red and white to the traveller screws of the both switches.")? I have a single-pole by my front door where plans showed a 3-way. Jbox in basement where exterior garage lights are connected. I'd like to change that to a 3-way and add location near garage so when we go out at night (through the garage) we can turn the exterior lights on so they're on when we get home. If there is a way to wire a 3-way with only 2 wires at the switch it would save me from having to fish a traveler through the exterior (insulated) wall. I can get at the Jbox easily enough, and should have no problem fishing 14/3 through an interior wall on the first floor by the garage, or in the garage (pull existing 14/2 off the lights and add another Jbox in b/t the lights, existing Jbox, and new switch location in the garage?). Thanks. Can I see a diagram?...See MoreTwo hot wires going to my switch and lighting fixture
Comments (4)If power is first fed to the ceiling box it sounds like they wirer a switch loop. This is one possible wiring scheme: 14/2 white and black run to the ceiling box, but black is not connected to the ceiling fixture. The 14/2 cable's black is connected to the 14/3 cable's black wire, running to the switch- providing a hot wire at the switch. The red and white in the 14/3 cable wires are connected to the fan and light, so they also run back to the switch. They should have been marked with black tape or marker to indicate they are switched hot wires. At the switch end the 14/3 black is spliced with wire nuts so that it provides power to both the fan and the light switches. Then the red and white wires are marked as black (switched power) and connected to each switch. In your case they may have had only a light, so they just looped the white wire in the box and left it unused. Bruce...See More- 6 years ago
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