Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Home Repair (alt.home.repair) For all homeowners and DIYers with many experienced tradesmen. Solve your toughest home fix-it problems. |
Reply |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Outlet wiring, does color matter?
When wiring up normal 3-prong outlets, does it matter if I switch the
black and white wires on a single outlet in the run? I've heard the polarity doesn't matter...but want to make sure I'm not going to short it out or something else horrible. Also, when wiring up lights, does it matter which color wire I run to the switch? Most of the how-to articles show cutting the white wire...does it make any difference? |
#2
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Outlet wiring, does color matter?
In article . com, " wrote:
When wiring up normal 3-prong outlets, does it matter if I switch the black and white wires on a single outlet in the run? Yes, it does. Don't do it. I've heard the polarity doesn't matter...but want to make sure I'm not going to short it out or something else horrible. You didn't hear that from anyone who knows what he's talking about. Polarity *does* matter. Among other things, you could wind up making the housing of whatever you plug in there, live. Also, when wiring up lights, does it matter which color wire I run to the switch? Yes. Most of the how-to articles show cutting the white wire...does it make any difference? No, they don't. You'd better look again. The switch should always go on the hot side, which (in the US and Canada, anyway) is the black wire. -- Regards, Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com) It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again. |
#3
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Outlet wiring, does color matter?
|
#4
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Outlet wiring, does color matter?
Yes it matters that the white wire goes to the larger hole side of the
outlet and the black wire goes to the smaller hole side of the outlet. Then when things are plugged in, they are safer if the outlet is wired properly. For example a table lamp with one prong larger than the other. You can only plug it in one way. The larger prong (white wire) goes to the "ring" part of the light bulb. The smaller prong (black - hot) goes to the switch and then to the contact down in the center of the socket. You can get electrocuted if you touch the black hot wire. It is safer it this is the wire going to the contact in the bottom of the light socket. It is easy to accidentally touch the metal ring of a light bulb when changing a light bulb. Best if it is connected to the white (neutral) wire and NOT to the black hot wire! So wire your outlets properly and wire lamps and appliances properly. Get a book on wiring or call an electrician. These things are done to protect YOUR life and the lives of YOUR family. wrote in message When wiring up normal 3-prong outlets, does it matter if I switch the black and white wires on a single outlet in the run? I've heard the polarity doesn't matter...but want to make sure I'm not going to short it out or something else horrible. Also, when wiring up lights, does it matter which color wire I run to the switch? Most of the how-to articles show cutting the white wire...does it make any difference? |
#5
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Outlet wiring, does color matter?
In addition to what was written above, your nonstandard wiring would
pose a problem for anyone who worked on it inthe future. |
#6
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Outlet wiring, does color matter?
On 20 Nov 2006 09:15:50 -0800, "
wrote: When wiring up normal 3-prong outlets, does it matter if I switch the black and white wires on a single outlet in the run? It matters. That is why they use different colors. I've heard the polarity doesn't matter...but want to make sure I'm not going to short it out or something else horrible. Also, when wiring up lights, does it matter which color wire I run to the switch? Most of the how-to articles show cutting the white wire...does it make any difference? |
#7
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Outlet wiring, does color matter?
|
#8
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Outlet wiring, does color matter?
|
#9
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Outlet wiring, does color matter?
On 20 Nov 2006 09:15:50 -0800, "
wrote: When wiring up normal 3-prong outlets, does it matter if I switch the black and white wires on a single outlet in the run? I've heard the polarity doesn't matter...but want to make sure I'm not going to short it out or something else horrible. Also, when wiring up lights, does it matter which color wire I run to the switch? Most of the how-to articles show cutting the white wire...does it make any difference? Hire a qualified electrician. |
#10
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Outlet wiring, does color matter?
On 20 Nov 2006 09:15:50 -0800, "
wrote: When wiring up normal 3-prong outlets, does it matter if I switch the black and white wires on a single outlet in the run? Yes. Correct it. I've heard the polarity doesn't matter...but want to make sure I'm not going to short it out or something else horrible. It's not polarity (this is AC, where polarity is changing 120 times a second), but connecting it right still matters. Also, when wiring up lights, does it matter which color wire I run to the switch? Most of the how-to articles show cutting the white wire...does it make any difference? I guess I missed those articles. I always switched the hot (black) wire, the obvious way to do it. -- 35 days until the winter solstice celebration Mark Lloyd http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com "I have found Christian dogma unintelligable. Early in life I absented myself from Christian assemblies." -- Benjamin Franklin |
#12
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Outlet wiring, does color matter?
On 20 Nov 2006 09:15:50 -0800, "
wrote: When wiring up normal 3-prong outlets, does it matter if I switch the black and white wires on a single outlet in the run? I've heard the polarity doesn't matter...but want to make sure I'm not going to short it out or something else horrible. Also, when wiring up lights, does it matter which color wire I run to the switch? Most of the how-to articles show cutting the white wire...does it make any difference? Yes, it does make a difference. As another poster mentioned, switch on the wrong wire allows switched devices, such as lamp sockets, to be hot - you get shocked if you touch such items and ground. As for outlets - those have designated hot and neutral terminals that should not be reversed. Many appliances have polarized plugs. If a lamp has hot and neutral reversed, then the exposed part of the base of a partially screwed-in lightbulb will be hot - even if the lamp's switch is off! Also keep in mind that in some fluorescent lamps, reversing hot and neutral can adversely affect the electric field distribution within a bulb that is trying to start, and that may impair starting. - Don Klipstein ) |
#13
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Outlet wiring, does color matter?
|
#14
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Outlet wiring, does color matter?
In article . com,
wrote: When wiring up normal 3-prong outlets, does it matter if I switch the black and white wires on a single outlet in the run? I've heard the polarity doesn't matter...but want to make sure I'm not going to short it out or something else horrible. Also, when wiring up lights, does it matter which color wire I run to the switch? Most of the how-to articles show cutting the white wire...does it make any difference? To be safe & meet code, all 120V outlets will be wired with the neutral (white) connected to the neutral terminal on the outlet, indicated by the silver screw; hot (almost always black, sometimes red) connects to the brass colored screw; and ground, which is bare or green insulated, connects to the green grounding screw on the outlet. (or to the grounding screw of the outlet box, if box & outlet are designed for this; usually the case when metal boxes are used) If by "switch the black and white wires" you mean connect them opposite to above description, then doing so will create a potentially unsafe condition. OTOH if you mean to install a switch to control that outlet, then only the black or hot wire should be switched. The neutral or white should always connect directly to the outlet. In either case, there is only one correct way. The term "polarity" has to do with positive & negative, and is important in direct current systems, e.g. automotive. It really has no bearing on a discussion of alternating current house wiring. As far as connecting a light to a switch, there are a couple different ways the wiring can be routed, that will make a difference as to which color wire should go where; However, in all cases, the current carrying neutral will connect to the neutral of the light fixture and is never switched. Why not get a good DIY book on house wiring? There are several that do a good job of explaining both safe wiring and safe work practices. Black and Decker sells a good one. -- For every complicated, difficult problem, there is a simple, easy solution that does not work. Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - |
#15
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Outlet wiring, does color matter?
wrote:
When wiring up normal 3-prong outlets, does it matter if I switch the black and white wires on a single outlet in the run? I've heard the polarity doesn't matter...but want to make sure I'm not going to short it out or something else horrible. Also, when wiring up lights, does it matter which color wire I run to the switch? Most of the how-to articles show cutting the white wire...does it make any difference? Please, hire an electrician. -- dadiOH ____________________________ dadiOH's dandies v3.06... ....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that. Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico |
#16
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Outlet wiring, does color matter?
In article RPC8h.4282$oP6.2508@trnddc03, dadiOH wrote:
wrote: When wiring up normal 3-prong outlets, does it matter if I switch the black and white wires on a single outlet in the run? I've heard the polarity doesn't matter...but want to make sure I'm not going to short it out or something else horrible. Also, when wiring up lights, does it matter which color wire I run to the switch? Most of the how-to articles show cutting the white wire...does it make any difference? Please, hire an electrician. -- OP doesn't necessarily have to hire an electrician, but does need more knowledge before attempting to DIY this job Electricians aren't born with their knowledge. They have to learn it. There's no reason a person of ordinary intelligence cannot learn, in a reasonable length of time, how to safely perform simple, basic tasks like wiring an outlet, switch, or light fixture. -- Make it as simple as possible, but no simpler. Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - |
#17
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Outlet wiring, does color matter?
When wiring up normal 3-prong outlets, does it matter if I
switch the black and white wires on a single outlet in the run? Please, hire an electrician. OP doesn't necessarily have to hire an electrician, but does need more knowledge before attempting to DIY this job Electricians aren't born with their knowledge. They have to learn it. There's no reason a person of ordinary intelligence cannot learn, in a reasonable length of time, how to safely perform simple, basic tasks like wiring an outlet, switch, or light fixture. In short, yes it matters, and you have to know why. Home Depot and Loew's sell good books on home wiring. |
#18
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Outlet wiring, does color matter?
See http://www.doityourself.com/scat/basicelectric
-- Have a Great Week ! Check Winter Haven's Current Weather http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/...er+Haven+33881 wrote in message ... In article RPC8h.4282$oP6.2508@trnddc03, dadiOH wrote: wrote: When wiring up normal 3-prong outlets, does it matter if I switch the black and white wires on a single outlet in the run? I've heard the polarity doesn't matter...but want to make sure I'm not going to short it out or something else horrible. Also, when wiring up lights, does it matter which color wire I run to the switch? Most of the how-to articles show cutting the white wire...does it make any difference? Please, hire an electrician. -- OP doesn't necessarily have to hire an electrician, but does need more knowledge before attempting to DIY this job Electricians aren't born with their knowledge. They have to learn it. There's no reason a person of ordinary intelligence cannot learn, in a reasonable length of time, how to safely perform simple, basic tasks like wiring an outlet, switch, or light fixture. -- Make it as simple as possible, but no simpler. Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Range Outlet Wiring | Home Repair | |||
GFCI Outlet Wiring Question | Home Repair | |||
Switch/outlet wiring question | Home Repair | |||
Bedroom outlet color | Home Repair | |||
Basic Wiring Question - Duplex Outlet | Home Ownership |