Questions tagged [neutral]
For questions relating to the neutral wire, or "grounded conductor" as it's sometimes called. The neutral, or "grounded conductor" in NEC, is the normal return path for electricity in a household AC circuit.
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Why is the neutral tied to ground in my home's electrical panel? [duplicate]
What keeps the Electric from shorting to ground? On my electric panel the Neutral is tied to the ground. The ground is a bare copper wire run back to my water main.
a. Electricity chooses the path ...
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2answers
57 views
Removing a light switch cuts power to my entire room. Breaker not tripped. Smart Switch Install
I have installed smart switches before, but I moved into a new apartment recently. I have never had a problem before. I removed my old light switch and installed a new smart wifi light switch, and I ...
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1answer
35 views
Dangers of connecting Neutral to case of blower?
(Not an Electrician) I have a 220V air handler (not part of the HVAC system its for a homemade wind tunnel) that I need to get power to. There is an old dryer receptacle (10-30R) in the basement that ...
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1answer
76 views
Is my plan to add a neutral wire to a switch box ok?
I'd like to add a neutral wire to an old switch box so that I can install a smart switch that needs a neutral wire.
I have a mud room and porch that each have a light fixture. The lights are ...
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1answer
37 views
Installing light switch that requires neutral wire - wire is continuous through box
I have a new switch that requires a neutral. There is a neutral wire in the box, in the back, but it's continuous -- comes in one side and goes out the other. Is the proper procedure to cut it, then ...
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1answer
85 views
Why is neutral wired to ground at this switch?
I was looking to add an outlet near my light switch in the garage. When I opened the box for the switch I noticed that the neutral is wired to the ground. In the picture of the switch, the top wire ...
0
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1answer
74 views
Convert Three Way to Single Smart Switch
I have two switches set up as a 3-way and I'd like to take out one and install a smart switch for the other. I know I need a neutral, and I thought things would be good when I looked inside, but it ...
5
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3answers
174 views
Mystery current on neutral wires coming into outlet box
In reworking outlets and switches in our 1960's California home to use AlumiConn connectors + copper pigtails where needed (instead of older wire nuts + Noalox), I came across a duplex wall box in the ...
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3answers
93 views
When splitting a 240v circuit, what happens to neutral's amperage?
My garage has very limited power with only one outlet that I share with 3 bathrooms and every outdoor outlet, 4 total, on a 20 amp breaker. (House hastily thrown together in 97' for your reference) I ...
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2answers
68 views
How can I provide neutral wires for my smart switches?
I'm trying to install smart switches, which obviously need a neutral wire. I'm pretty sure I am lucky enough that I have it, but, want to make sure and also find out how to use it. I've attached a ...
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0answers
28 views
switch box red wire connected to white?
i'm installing smart switches, and found the neutral in another area so i assumed it'd be in all the switch boxes. Well not these two. It's a 3 way switch, and in the back of it there are white wires ...
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1answer
70 views
Installing CAFI Plug on Neutral Circuit breakers
The circuit breaker has only 2 places to hold wires. There are 3 wires. These are the newest versions with no pig tail. Do I need to wire it to the neutral bar? I thought the idea of this new design ...
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3answers
103 views
Is it acceptable to use a lighted switch with a switched outlet?
The bedrooms in our house in California each have a light switch that controls power to an outlet in the room. The switches are the single-pole type, interrupting the black/hot wire. Is it acceptable ...
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2answers
72 views
Why doesn't current return via the grounding conductor when it's connected in the panel? [duplicate]
Since the neutral wire and ground wire are connected in the main fuse box then why doesn't some of the returning electricity flow through the ground wire to earth?
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2answers
83 views
Are neutral wires linked to the neutral bar in the fuse box safe to touch
We have a tipical fuse box, fuses and neutral wires connected to a neutral bar.
Let's say we have a closed circuit with a light bulb attached to it.
The bulb is working. The neutral wire is ...
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0answers
48 views
Neutral wire issue
I have a lot of history on this issue and troubleshooting if someone can just bear with me...🙂
When we bought this house the previous owner had covered then eventually enclosed the back patio. When ...
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1answer
285 views
Light switch using only black wires - Incoming whites terminate together in box - New timer switch requires white neutral
I want to replace a simple single pole light switch with a timer switch, which requires red, black, white, and ground. The existing switch is in a triple box, where all three switches have only blacks ...
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1answer
145 views
Adding sub panel, odd main panel configuration
I am in the process of adding a sub panel to a detached garage and I have the proper gauge wire connected up to the sub panel (neutral and ground NOT bonded) with 3 conductors + ground running in ...
3
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1answer
381 views
Neutral wire is tied to my electric metal box, why is it so?
I have this old Depard switch box in my patio.
Originally, I wanted to 'add' a receptacle in my old Despard switch 'array' stack. Now I am puzzled and afraid of doing that because I found out that ...
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0answers
40 views
Lighting neutral
Can anyone explain about lighting neutral wires (blue)?
I have a 3year old house, which has blue wires in the back boxes. I am assuming that this is the neutral. On my current 1 gang 2 way switch ...
3
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2answers
255 views
about the saying “neutral does not carry current”
It came across to me quite frequently online that people state "neutral wire does not carry current." I thin this is a false statement. My reason is the following.
For the electrical panel in my home,...
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2answers
202 views
Install Smart Switch - Neutral wire from adjacent switch?
There are two switches that are side by side. The one I'm replacing with a Smart switch does not have a neutral. The adjacent switch is a 3-way switch and it does have a neutral. Can I share the ...
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2answers
2k views
Smart switch wiring with no neutral
Long time reader, first time poster. Working on updates for our new house and I bought a few lutron caseta switches the other day to wire up in our front entryway. I went with the PD-6ans which ...
3
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2answers
353 views
Multi gang switch boxes - Is it okay to keep the same branch neutrals separated for the different lighting/switching circuits?
I recently learned from this community about the importance of keeping currents balanced in each cable. In other words, current in one direction should be canceled by the same amount of current ...
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2answers
265 views
How should I secure an unused wire in my breaker panel?
I accidentally pulled 6-4 wiring to a machine that only needs 240 and no neutral. What to do with the white wire?
I read here that at the machine, I just cap the white wire. When I go to connect the ...
3
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1answer
51 views
Replacing light fixture UK unable to determine which wire is which
We had our kitchen redone within the last year, part of that was adding a new light fitting which was to be replaced later in the year.
That time is now, I've just taken the old one off which has ...
3
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1answer
4k views
Neutral Wire is used to carry power to light switch - is this legal?
Forgive me for my crappy drawing :) to make a long story short I just moved into a home and I am taking a look at one of the lighting jobs. I noticed the light switch had no power feeding it and the "...
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1answer
690 views
Electrical question on floating neutral generator for emergency use
There is tons of information on "bonded neutral" and "floating neutral" generator wiring to transfer switch. However, I have one question I cannot find the answer.
I recently bought a Reliance ...
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4answers
7k views
Why is this shared-neutral wiring bad?
Summary: I have this wiring situation in my home. I gather it's not up to modern code, and I experienced why it's bad (got shocked), but I don't understand why (physics/electricity) it happened.
In ...
3
votes
1answer
61 views
Small neutral wire at service drop to panel
I recently moved into a gorgeous Victorian style house built in 1890. I am concerned about the point of entry of the service drop to the fuse box.containing a much smaller neutral than i would have ...
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2answers
102 views
Does my panel with a separate disconnect need an isolated neutral bus?
Sorry about lack of language ....just need a little guidance!
After a fire I had to install new meter below which I installed a small exterior breaker box . Here I can switch all power off to the new ...
3
votes
1answer
257 views
Baffled by 3-way switch wiring
I am the new owner of an old, WWII-era home. The previous owner rented the property out for many years, and upkeep seems to have always gone to the lowest bidder. Among other things this means we have ...
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1answer
3k views
2 wire lamp cord - which one is live?
I'm replacing a feed-through switch on an IKEA (Canada) floor lamp. Its using an SPT 2 cable (photo attached). Both wires have the same insulation color and both are copper. Neither is ribbed (as far ...
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0answers
50 views
Pool light switch
I have a pool with 3 simple 2 wire light switches for the lights, spa blower and water feature. No neutral is going to the switches. I want to use X10 WS469 Push Button Relay Wall Switches but they ...
0
votes
2answers
418 views
Adding a neutral straight from panel
I had to add a neutral for a light switch. I was not able to run up the ceiling and tied the new neutral in where the light Is installed in the ceiling. The switch for the light was only a couple of ...
3
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1answer
91 views
Unbundling Ground Wire make unconnected wires show hot
A light that has a 2 wires (and a ground) coming in from an outlet. The 2 wires are unused.
From the other side there are two wires coming up to the box. 1 of these wires connects to the light and ...
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votes
2answers
151 views
Why does my light box have 2 cables for this one switch?
Took down a ceiling fixture and discovered what looks like a possible switch loop, except I don’t understand how the connection gets completed with the current set up. Basically, 2 lines coming into ...
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1answer
58 views
How can I reduce flicker on an ELV chandelier?
I wired up a set of ELV lights in my dining room and used this particular dimmer switch (Lutron MRF2-6ELV-120-WH) at the switch box.
The wiring was rather straightforward. No more complicated than ...
2
votes
1answer
119 views
How can I be sure a wire is truly neutral?
Most sites I find tell me how to distinguish the neutral wire from the live wire. Basically, you find the one that has current and the other one is neutral. That's all fine and dandy when you only ...
2
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0answers
1k views
“Open Neutral” only when load applied- my tester is confusing me
I have a 20amp circuit with a 20amp GFI and 4 more 15amp outlets after it. With nothing plugged in, they all indicate (on my 3-light tester) they are wired correctly. As soon as 1 thing is plugged ...
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4answers
3k views
Why is the neutral conductor sometimes undersized in AC applications?
Why are electricians allowed to sometimes lower the size of the grounded (neutral) conductor?
If alternating current is bidirectional then wouldn't the neutral technically be an ungrounded (hot) ...
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0answers
87 views
Installed smart switch but nearby circuit keeps breaking
I just installed a smart switch (Leviton Decora) in my garage and the switch works fine. But I soon noticed that the circuit controlling outlets in the closest room to the garage keeps breaking. I ...
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2answers
890 views
How should I connect a three-wire transformer in a panel with no neutral bus?
I am installing a three wire 16v transformer. My 1960 20 circuit breaker box has only two connections, hot & ground.
What to do with white neutral wire?
3
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1answer
487 views
How to wire programmable switch to only a single set of white-black-ground wires
I have a switched outlet that I want to control using a programmable switch. I have done this before with other lights around the house but they all have 2 sets of wires: one from the source and one ...
2
votes
1answer
68 views
Safest way of temporarily working with a failed 4-wire outbuilding subpanel (one missing hot leg, neutral bonded ground on both ends)?
This is actually a multi-pronged question. I will ask it all and split out what I can as needed.
I am renting a remote out building in a rather rustic location on a farm. The power situation here was ...
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2answers
632 views
Troubleshooting a 120v load off a GFCI outlet
I have a 120v load im trying to troubleshoot, i replaced the GFCI located in garage as it's the first termination after the breaker and i thought it was the issue.
Before and after GFCI the issue was ...
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2answers
1k views
How do I add a neutral bar to a sub panel?
I am adding a neutral bar to an existing sub panel and need to insulate the mounting screws so I don't ground my neutral bar, any suggestions on what to use?
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2answers
340 views
Kitchen wiring issue
We recently bought a 1978 home in Florida.
The kitchen wiring leaves me scratching my head. I think I have solved 2 of 3 major problems, but need advice on the last.
(see pic)
4 different 20A ...
2
votes
1answer
261 views
Weird wiring configuration, neutral is live
I'm trying to install a wemo dimmable smart switch to replace a regular switch. The original wiring pictured below is unlike the other 8 switches I replaced in my home. It looks like it's hooked up to ...
2
votes
2answers
354 views
Will this particular breaker box allow ground wire to connect at neutral?
House is ran with EMT.. I have two dedicated circuits coming in from outside the house for a swimming pool, with a dedicated ground to the main breaker box.
I want to connect to far right bottom ...
