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Posted to alt.home.repair
Terry
 
Posts: n/a
Default Help with a electrical wiring problem

Someone wrote:

Hi,

I need help figuring out how to wire an outdoor electrical circuit.
Hopefully someone can figure this out.

I have a junction box with two 14x2 wires going into it which are each
hooked up to a seperate outlet. Into the same junction box I have
another 14x2 wire which feeds power into the junction box. As well I
have a 14x3 wire which goes into the junction box and is hooked up to a
switch box with two light switches.

What I need to figure out is how to wire the junction box and light
switch box so that one light switch will turn one outlet on and the
other light switch will turn the second outlet on.

..
And then someone posted about using 12 gauge wires !!!!!!!
..
Trying to keep it simple;
My suggestion. Assuming everything is 'normal' at circuit breaker panel etc.
If otherwise stop and get someone knowledgeable to help; things can get very
confusing if you are not a 'circuit person'.
1) Connect all (four) grounds together and to the metal junction box.
2) Connect the white wire of the incoming 14x2 from the supply to the two
white wires to each of the outlets. Do NOT connect it to the white that goes
to the switch box.
3) Connect the black/live wire of the incoming supply to the lead to the
switch box that feeds electricity to both switches. You may have to do a bit
of tracing or testing to determine which wire was used as this 'feed' wire.
For the purpose of this explanation let's assume the white wire has been
used as the 'feed/hot wire to the switches' and it should have been marked
as such. OK?
4) Having done this the other two wires coming back from the switch box
should have power on them only when each switch is operated on? Sometimes
these are referred to as 'switched feeds'.
5) Connect one of the switched feeds to the black wire to one outlet and the
red wire to the black wire to the other outlet.
6) Test everything. If in doubt get help not only for your family safety but
for any future home or trade electricians who may have to work on it
(safely!).
BTW the OP said "Outdoor" outlets. So, in most jurisdictions these should
be GFCI outlets for safety and conformity to code!
Any help?