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Home A/C Wiring Question
Is there an easy way to tell if any of my house wiring has any reverse wiring? I am thinking that some of 2/3 way light switches or outlets may be reversed (any combination of positive, neutral, ground mis-wirings). I’m pretty sure the previous house owner wasn’t exactly skilled in this regard.
I have a multi-meter, an outlet checker, and a LED hot wire tester. I was just wondering if there is an easier what than taking off each switch plate and testing the wires. I can use the outlet-tester on all the outlets, so those are not an issue and can be tested.
Should I just be concerned with the circuit(s) that my HT is on? Am I correct in thinking that all circuits share a common neutral line at the breaker box?
Thanks for any help.
MM
I have a multi-meter, an outlet checker, and a LED hot wire tester. I was just wondering if there is an easier what than taking off each switch plate and testing the wires. I can use the outlet-tester on all the outlets, so those are not an issue and can be tested.
Should I just be concerned with the circuit(s) that my HT is on? Am I correct in thinking that all circuits share a common neutral line at the breaker box?
Thanks for any help.
MM
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For the outlets go to your local HD/Menards/Lowes and get an outlet check. They don't cost much and tell you whether or not the outlet is botched.
For the three way switches...turn off the power and pull out the switch. If you look on the back and the black line is connected to the common pin..all should be well. If he flopped the red/white..don't worry to much since it isn't wired incorrectly..just mis-colored. If you are really worried look at the back...most of the 3way will say which color goes where.
For normal switches the wire connected to the switch should be the black one! The white wire should just be wired nutted together.
-tReP
For the three way switches...turn off the power and pull out the switch. If you look on the back and the black line is connected to the common pin..all should be well. If he flopped the red/white..don't worry to much since it isn't wired incorrectly..just mis-colored. If you are really worried look at the back...most of the 3way will say which color goes where.
For normal switches the wire connected to the switch should be the black one! The white wire should just be wired nutted together.
-tReP
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He has one already.
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Not necessarily; a switch can be fed via a white wire.
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Really? I've only seen the 'common' identified.
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Again, that depends on whether the neutral is run with the switching wires.
| Originally posted by Trepidati0n For the outlets go to your local HD/Menards/Lowes and get an outlet check. They don't cost much and tell you whether or not the outlet is botched. |
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| For the three way switches...turn off the power and pull out the switch. If you look on the back and the black line is connected to the common pin..all should be well. |
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| If he flopped the red/white..don't worry to much since it isn't wired incorrectly..just mis-colored. If you are really worried look at the back...most of the 3way will say which color goes where. |
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| For normal switches the wire connected to the switch should be the black one! The white wire should just be wired nutted together. |
I apologize for upsetting the great Larry. I was just repeating what a Master Electrician told me was the "typical" way to do things. I know you can "reverse" pretty much everything; I do almost have my masters in electrical engineering. I'll peace out on this topic.
-tReP
-tReP
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Please don't take my comments as serious criticism. My only intention is for accurate information; I was certainly not upset. "Typical" is not as typical as some may believe.
All cables contain white wires because that's how it's made, and the NEC specifies how it is used; not all wiring schemes have neutrals in every cable run, so the white is sometimes used as a hot wire.
| Originally posted by Trepidati0n I apologize for upsetting the great Larry. I was just repeating what a Master Electrician told me was the "typical" way to do things. I know you can "reverse" pretty much everything; I do almost have my masters in electrical engineering. I'll peace out on this topic. |
All cables contain white wires because that's how it's made, and the NEC specifies how it is used; not all wiring schemes have neutrals in every cable run, so the white is sometimes used as a hot wire.
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