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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Replacing a 4-gang standard switches with smart Kasa switches

I am trying to replace a 4-gang standard switches with Kasa smart switches. How do I connect all the neutral white wires from the switches to the white neutral bundles in the box? There are too many ...
Raffi's user avatar
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Ground has power

Half of circuit works other half doesn't, until I use ground wire instead of neutral with black wire. Why does white wire read only 53V? All wires are hooked up the way they were previously and there ...
John's user avatar
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New 6800/5500 watt generator, neutral connected to frame, replacing similar generator with floating neutral. Need help to rectify connecting to panel

The original generator had a 3 wire cable connected to a 3 prong locking plug on the generator. It feeds a 240 volt 20 amp Stab lock breaker (with a fitted manual interlock to prevent feedback) on the ...
Peter Doherty's user avatar
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1 answer
61 views

dimmer with neutral wire (not a smart dimmer)

I have a Lutron Diva dimmer, gray color, that was installed by a manufacturer in 2016 to operate some [fancy expensive] LED ceiling lights. this dimmer is not a smart dimmer, has no light to it, but ...
ron's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
116 views

Need to confirm if there is a neutral wire in this electrical box

I am trying to determine if my light switches have a neutral wire, as I need to know if I can order smart switches with neutral wiring required. Here in this picture you can see two example outlets: ...
Dani's user avatar
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1 answer
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Where to Tap Into Neutral Wire for Smart Light Switches Install? (country: US)

Originally, there was a set of 3 light switches in one box. The 1st one switched my porch lights, the 2nd one switched my garage lights, and the 3rd was to switch an electrical outlet outside (used ...
Sonny's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
218 views

How do I figure out why I have current on electrical panel ground line?

I live in Maryland in a house built in 2007. The house has 400A service so I have two main panels of 200A each. There are two electrical service lines, one for each panel and two solid copper ground ...
clairefromperth's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
101 views

Is a switched neutral light fixture up to code in canada?

In Canada, is it legal to have a single pole switch turn off a light by switching the neutral wire only? I'm pretty sure it's not to code, but my brother in law is adamant his way is okay. I'd like to ...
Jeffrey's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
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Entire (Mostly) Home's Lights Flicker when Resistive Loads are Energized

Thanks for taking a look at my question. I am troubled by a strange issue that I think I may have an idea about, but I am not 100%. So I would appreciate anyone else's feedback to hopefully set me ...
B-Dawg's user avatar
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21 votes
3 answers
3k views

Why are all the neutral wires in a sub panel burnt or melted?

My barn had a small (6-space) main lug sub panel with four 20A 120V breakers and one 20A 240V breaker. The panel itself was protected by a 50A 240V breaker in the main service panel. It was wired up ...
Kurt Granroth's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
137 views

4-prong dryer outlet (NEMA 14-30R) with asymmetric hot to neutral readings (110v and 130v)

I recently renovated my home and re-did all the electrical from the service drop on down. Everything appears to be working correctly so far except one circuit. I have a NEMA 14-30R receptacle wired up ...
Brandon Weiss's user avatar
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2 answers
61 views

Wiring thru the wall A/C

I need to wire a 20 amp, 240 volt, single yoke, double pole breaker for a thru the wall A/C. Also reknown as "115/240". Using 12g wire running 40 feet. I've seen this done using 12/2 and ...
Josh Scott's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
449 views

Can I wire smart switch to two panels?

I've seen some similar questions but not my exact situation (forgive me if I missed it). I am wanting to replace a switch that controls the light in my swimming pool with a smart switch. Background... ...
Sean Ogilvie's user avatar
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4 answers
75 views

Provide another example in which a metal appliance can become energized besides the hot wire coming in contact with the metal frame of the appliance

A dangerous situation where no ground path is available is typically cited as the hot wire coming in contact with the metal frame of an appliance and thus energizing it and potentially shocking or ...
Fred's user avatar
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1 answer
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How does lightning get to your ground rods directly without first traveling through your electrical system and then back through neutral/ground?

Let's say there is a lightning strike on a nearby power line and the excessive voltage/current makes it to your house. I often read that grounding rods are there to protect against surges like ...
Fred's user avatar
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Is my understanding of why ground is bonded to neutral (vs not being bonded at all) on a 3 prong dryer connection correct?

I understand the need for a separate ground path back to the panel to trip the breaker on a ground fault when possible. For dryers that connect to a NEMA 10-30R, the manufacturer always indicates to ...
Fred's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
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All 4 outlets on the same circuit shows Open Neutral

I am facing open neutral issue but I am not an electrician therefore hoping if someone might be able to help out here. I figured it is most likely an wiring issue. so I have 4 outlets that on the same ...
Vince Hung's user avatar
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If I move a 120v breaker, do I also have to move the neutral wire? [duplicate]

I need to rearrange the breakers in my main panel box in order to make room for a generator breaker. If I move a single pole 120V breaker from the left side of the panel box to the right side, do I ...
Sean Reidy's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
1k views

Electrical - Ground used a Neutral

Condition: My house is 37 years old and our kitchen remodeler (not an electrician) did the following. He tapped into one of the oven’s 120 volt legs to power a 120 volt duplex receptacle. There is no ...
RelaxTax's user avatar
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2 answers
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Two neutrals and two Commons in the same box. Attempting a new switch

Remodeling and reinstalling light fixtures in an old room of an old house. There is only one light switch That single light switch activates a fan on one side of the room and a separate light on the ...
celluloid droid's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
239 views

Pigtail two hot wires from different locations at single pole switch?

I replaced a ceiling fan with a ceiling fan/light combo in a bedroom. Previously the fan did not have a switch to control it. Power goes directly to the fan and was controlled by a pull cord. I ran ...
N.Wood's user avatar
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2 votes
3 answers
77 views

Issues with switching over from mains to generator

This is my basic diagram: I'm facing an issue here - I have mains supply and generator supply and in order to incorporate a time delay I have have a UPS system in between. The UPS is just powering ...
albetroz's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
97 views

Can different wire gauges be combined in same box?

Wiring 3 gang switch, have 4 cables coming into box. (2) 14/3 cables coming from 3 way “primary” switch that also feeds to two different light fixtures. Also have a 12/2 cable from different circuit ...
John's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
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Neutral wire in red-black cable (Canada)?

I have a bunch of 10/2 cable with red and black (plus ground) wires in Canada (from a removed air conditioner). It's perfectly good cable, so I'd like to repurpose it in a few spots on 15 or 20 amp ...
Alex Hill's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
955 views

Dishwasher and disposal wiring on seperate circuits to one yoke and common neutral

Greetings from unincorporated Texas. Home was built in 2000. We’ve been in it for five years. This little adventure started with a push on RO supply line coming loose one night and soaking everything ...
Jim C's user avatar
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5 votes
4 answers
2k views

Is it safe to use the ground wire in /2 as neutral (with no ground)?

I am building a cabin, we had a discrepancy with someone down at the property about wiring. I am feeding the cabin off the main breaker with a 50 A double pole breaker only using 120 V (single pole of ...
Jack's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
225 views

Can I use unused Neutral for ground on a 240V cooktop?

My cooktop has black, red and bare ground wires (brand new pre wired this way). Power supply has a neutral and no ground. Do I just leave it disconnected as shown? Is this connected correctly? Or ...
Whitestroke's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
702 views

Switching dimmer switch with 2 black wires to regular switch

I just wanted to confirm before wiring this up. When I took this off I see that two black wires going to the dimmer switch when it is normally black, white, and ground. Not sure how you tell which is ...
Josh G's user avatar
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11 votes
1 answer
2k views

Why is a ground wire wrapped around the bare portion of a neutral wire at this outlet?

Why is a ground wire of this outlet wrapped around the bare portion of a neutral wire at this outlet? This ground wire is a pigtail that is joined with the two other ground wires in the box. This ...
user165559's user avatar
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0 answers
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UPS 30 AMP 240V question

Okay here is what I am trying to accomplish. I have a computer rack in my basement and since I am an IT guy to the extreme it has a lot of servers in it. I have a UPS 240V 6000KVA unit. It is rack ...
Charles in CT's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
125 views

New wafer lights stopped working after a week

I have two wafer lights connected to a switch at the end of a circuit. Here's what my diagram looks like this. I replaced the 2 wafer lights about a week ago and they worked fine. They stopped ...
tryingtorenovate's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
96 views

Had to replace breaker box after power spike

Starting on 12/27/22 after a massive wind storm we lost power. 3 days later after using generator with no issues the main power came back on. From that moment the power started to flicker, dim, ...
spydrman669's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
374 views

How to Fix my DIY Smart Switch Install

I've been installing smart switches and mostly seems like working fine. This one location though, seemed okay at first but after a power outage the breaker tripped unless I removed the right switch (...
pjeffe001's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
459 views

Switched outlet has "open neutral" when switch is off, and shows "wired correctly" when switch is on

Switched outlet has "open neutral" when switch is off, and shows "wired correctly" when switch is on. All other outlets in the room show "wired correctly" so the only ...
Don's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
76 views

Lug for 250mcm neutral wire in Siemens panel

I'm pulling feeders for an outbuilding 350' away. To keep the voltage drop down, I'm using 250mcm wire (150amp service). My question is what's the best way to land the neutral wire to the panel? It'...
atanamir's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
453 views

Should non-working US 110V AC GFCI outlet that shows open neutral, but trips and resets fine be replaced?

I have a GFCI outlet that has not worked for a while. The downstream outlet (there is only one from what I can tell) connected to it worked for a while, but no longer does. I decided to find out more ...
user3236841's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
222 views

Pull 14/3 between two switches to bring neutral to one of them

I've read a bunch of similar questions, but none actually detail the wiring for what I'm trying to accomplish. This is in the US, and in my state NEC 2020 applies. I have two switches on the same ...
Frederick Jansen's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
163 views

What part # will allow me to add neutral lug for subpanel?

I am adding a 150A subpanel (Both panels are Square D Homeline), and I cannot find the part to add a neutral lug to attach the wire to the main panel's neutral. I believe that the best place to ...
reynoldsnlp's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
95 views

How can I install a smart switch that needs a neutral wire?

I have already replaced some existing dumb switches with smart ones However, I am having trouble understanding the connection in the switch box that controls a light fixture on my wall in the ...
Toutou's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
566 views

How to override the need for a neutral wire for an oven hookup

I have had my kitchen remodeled. I have new cabinets and a stone countertop. When it came to hooking up the oven, I was told I needed a neutral wire for the oven to work after the cabinets and ...
user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
281 views

How can I test a smart switch requiring a neutral wire using an outlet?

I plan to mount floodlights on the back of my house. I have a Romex running through the wall between the mounting point and my electrical box. I want to test my floodlight before I go to the effort ...
Just Call Me Sparky's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
358 views

Separating Ground and Neutrals in Mainpanel before installing sub panel

I'm planning to get a 100 amp sub panel installed in my garage but got conflicting opinions on a point from different master electricians. The point is one electrician is saying it's a must to ...
Krishna's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
152 views

Chandelier Wiring (Potential Mislabel)

I unboxed a chandelier today and found the pre capped and labeled wiring that in this picture (if you look carefully one on the left has a small white thread on it, one on the right a small green ...
CJR's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
48 views

How should I install a dimmer switch that calls for neutral-to-hot connections?

I have 6 dimmable spotlights and there was previously a normal one way switch to turn them on and off. I bought a dimmer switch and in the installation instruction it's saying that I have to put live ...
Dawid Kalbarczyk's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
314 views

How an I add circuits to an electrical panel with no neutral bar?

I live in a very, very old home. The electrical panel has been upgraded at some point and has circuit breakers (not fuses). What concerns me is that the neutrals (about 5 wires total) are all joined ...
Afff's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
502 views

How do I wire a smart switch in electrical box that contains 4 neutral wires?

I'm trying to install a Lutron Claro smart switch in my bathroom which shares an electrical box with a Lutron diva smart dimmer. The dimmer doesn't require a neutral and works fine, but I can't figure ...
Leah's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
452 views

What causes sometimes low voltage & sometimes high voltage on different circuits in my house? And I have to run 2 space heaters for either to work [duplicate]

I’ve had issues with flickering lights for a while & over the summer we added a window unit to my sons room & you could barely tell it was running. I used my meter to check several outlets ...
Eric Alexander's user avatar
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0 answers
52 views

junction box with no voltage between conductors but 120 V between conductors and ground

Two 12 gauge cables meet at a junction box. The black wires are connected. The red wires are connected. One red wire has a black electrical tape tag. There is no voltage between the red and black ...
Dartmouth Dan's user avatar
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0 answers
74 views

Neutral plug issue

I have three outlets (that I can find) that are showing open neutral. I have 80v across hot and neutral, 120v at hot to ground and 28v neutral to ground. I also have one switch to a light that I think ...
Steve's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
69 views

Changing single electrical switch to dual switch-outlet: How to connect neutral wire?

I want to change my single switch to a dual switch-outlet. The instructions seem simple enough, but the current wiring doesn't match anything I've found in home wiring books. There are three wires ...
Kevin P. Kilburn's user avatar

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