Why is a white electrical wire connected to 2 black wires?
I just opened my ceiling light to replace it with another mount. I see a white wire connected to 2 black wires, is that right?
The middle switch controls this ceiling light.
electrical ceiling light
asked 2 days ago
konyakkonyak
1335
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konyak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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add a comment |
I just opened my ceiling light to replace it with another mount. I see a white wire connected to 2 black wires, is that right?
The middle switch controls this ceiling light.
electrical ceiling light
asked 2 days ago
konyakkonyak
1335
New contributor
konyak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Related: diy.stackexchange.com/questions/159507/…
– Ilmari Karonen
yesterday
Do you know where the three cables in the open box go to? The answers below make sense for two, but you have three.
– K.A
yesterday
Location would good since each country has different wiring codes
– UKMonkey
yesterday
@K.A: The third cable almost certainly goes to the next light fixture on the same circuit. See the question I linked above for another very similar example (except with a switched outlet instead of a ceiling light).
– Ilmari Karonen
yesterday
@K.A Black = hot, white = neutral, copper = ground, I assumed. I wired all three as they were in the old mount. However, the light is flickering a bit and I believe that's because my dimmer light switch is incompatible to the new LED lights. So, i'm in the process of replacing the switch.
– konyak
9 hours ago
add a comment |
I just opened my ceiling light to replace it with another mount. I see a white wire connected to 2 black wires, is that right?
The middle switch controls this ceiling light.
electrical ceiling light
asked 2 days ago
konyakkonyak
1335
New contributor
konyak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I just opened my ceiling light to replace it with another mount. I see a white wire connected to 2 black wires, is that right?
The middle switch controls this ceiling light.
electrical ceiling light
electrical ceiling light
asked 2 days ago
konyakkonyak
1335
New contributor
konyak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 days ago
konyakkonyak
1335
New contributor
konyak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 days ago
konyakkonyak
1335
New contributor
konyak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 days ago
konyakkonyak
1335
asked 2 days ago
konyakkonyak
1335
1335
New contributor
konyak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
konyak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
konyak is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Related: diy.stackexchange.com/questions/159507/…
– Ilmari Karonen
yesterday
Do you know where the three cables in the open box go to? The answers below make sense for two, but you have three.
– K.A
yesterday
Location would good since each country has different wiring codes
– UKMonkey
yesterday
@K.A: The third cable almost certainly goes to the next light fixture on the same circuit. See the question I linked above for another very similar example (except with a switched outlet instead of a ceiling light).
– Ilmari Karonen
yesterday
@K.A Black = hot, white = neutral, copper = ground, I assumed. I wired all three as they were in the old mount. However, the light is flickering a bit and I believe that's because my dimmer light switch is incompatible to the new LED lights. So, i'm in the process of replacing the switch.
– konyak
9 hours ago
add a comment |
Related: diy.stackexchange.com/questions/159507/…
– Ilmari Karonen
yesterday
Do you know where the three cables in the open box go to? The answers below make sense for two, but you have three.
– K.A
yesterday
Location would good since each country has different wiring codes
– UKMonkey
yesterday
@K.A: The third cable almost certainly goes to the next light fixture on the same circuit. See the question I linked above for another very similar example (except with a switched outlet instead of a ceiling light).
– Ilmari Karonen
yesterday
@K.A Black = hot, white = neutral, copper = ground, I assumed. I wired all three as they were in the old mount. However, the light is flickering a bit and I believe that's because my dimmer light switch is incompatible to the new LED lights. So, i'm in the process of replacing the switch.
– konyak
9 hours ago
Related: diy.stackexchange.com/questions/159507/…
– Ilmari Karonen
yesterday
Related: diy.stackexchange.com/questions/159507/…
– Ilmari Karonen
yesterday
Do you know where the three cables in the open box go to? The answers below make sense for two, but you have three.
– K.A
yesterday
Do you know where the three cables in the open box go to? The answers below make sense for two, but you have three.
– K.A
yesterday
Location would good since each country has different wiring codes
– UKMonkey
yesterday
Location would good since each country has different wiring codes
– UKMonkey
yesterday
@K.A: The third cable almost certainly goes to the next light fixture on the same circuit. See the question I linked above for another very similar example (except with a switched outlet instead of a ceiling light).
– Ilmari Karonen
yesterday
@K.A: The third cable almost certainly goes to the next light fixture on the same circuit. See the question I linked above for another very similar example (except with a switched outlet instead of a ceiling light).
– Ilmari Karonen
yesterday
@K.A Black = hot, white = neutral, copper = ground, I assumed. I wired all three as they were in the old mount. However, the light is flickering a bit and I believe that's because my dimmer light switch is incompatible to the new LED lights. So, i'm in the process of replacing the switch.
– konyak
9 hours ago
@K.A Black = hot, white = neutral, copper = ground, I assumed. I wired all three as they were in the old mount. However, the light is flickering a bit and I believe that's because my dimmer light switch is incompatible to the new LED lights. So, i'm in the process of replacing the switch.
– konyak
9 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
The cable with the white wire that's connected to the two black wires is a switch loop:
Normally wires with white insulation are used only for neutrals, but code makes an exception to allow for use of the white wire in a cable used as a switch loop as a hot rather than a neutral.
If you'll look closely in the drawing, the whites used as hots are wrapped with black tape to indicate they are being used as such. The wiring in the picture in the question lack this, which is a code violation. Of course the electricity can't see the tape so it's not intrinsically unsafe. However, it can be a hazard if someone working on the wiring makes a mistake because it's not labelled as clearly as it should be.
answered 2 days ago
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.5k11741
1
Should be noted more clearly in your post that a black piece of electrical tape should be wrapped near the end of the white wire in situations like this, so it's easily identified as a live wire.
– stevieb
yesterday
This gives me a comfortable feeling that it's ok, but the diagram above does not look like my wiring setup.
– konyak
9 hours ago
@konyak - you have one more cable in your box; it's just continuing the circuit - maybe for example to the light in the next room.
– batsplatsterson
3 hours ago
1
@stevieb - your suggestion certainly can't hurt, I will add it.
– batsplatsterson
3 hours ago
++ The black tape identifier missing is all well and fine when everything is wired together per OP's photo, the problem arises after the wires have all been disconnected for a rewire. Neutral or hot?
– stevieb
3 hours ago
add a comment |
The fact that the white is with the blacks is very important. Most of what you need to know is in the positions of the existing wires; don't be in a hurry to tear it all apart, or you lose that critical info.
Color-coding is not by wire function, it's how cables are made.
That white has been reversed to be a hot. This is because it's in a switch loop, and no neutral is provided, so the neutral is re-tasked. (Today it's required to provide neutral). Because the neutral is re-tasked to be a hot, it must be marked with a few wraps of tape.
White is used for always-hot because another rule requires this. That's so when you're at the other end, it's easier to detect that the white Is hot, because it's always hot.
Once you have identified the neutral bundle(s) (all white), a white that's with mostly blacks is one of these. The fact this is in a lamp makes this most likely a switch loop.
Most likely its partner black is the switched-hot. The lamp will want this switched-hot, and actual neutral.
answered 2 days ago
HarperHarper
73.9k448149
Perhaps this answer could also add the fact that a black piece of electrical tape should be wrapped around the end of a white-hot wire so that it's clearly identifiable, particularly after all wires are disconnected for work. (when I pretended to be an electrician back in the 90's in Ontario, Canada, this was code... don't know about now, but I digress).
– stevieb
3 hours ago
1
@stevieb. It was in there, but the language was so obtuse it was hard to read. I cleaned it up.
– Harper
1 hour ago
I'm pretty pedantic on this point. I'm only doing my own electrical nowadays so I'm unsure if one is still allowed to use white-live or not, but a label to identify should be used and enforced, even if the situation isn't even legally allowed any longer (regardless of locale).
– stevieb
22 mins ago
Yes, marking wires is Code as of 2005 or so, before that it could be omitted "if the usage was obvious". This stack shows the problems with that. "White must be always-hot" has been Code for longer. It's still legal to convert white to a hot, which you would do for a water heater or EV charger. As of 2011 real neutral is required in switch loops, so you won't be marking white in a switch loop anymore; you have to run /3.
– Harper
14 mins ago
Thank you for the full definition/explanation. /3 for switch loops; despite the cost differences, I comprehend the why, and I'll keep it in mind.
– stevieb
7 mins ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
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active
oldest
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active
oldest
votes
The cable with the white wire that's connected to the two black wires is a switch loop:
Normally wires with white insulation are used only for neutrals, but code makes an exception to allow for use of the white wire in a cable used as a switch loop as a hot rather than a neutral.
If you'll look closely in the drawing, the whites used as hots are wrapped with black tape to indicate they are being used as such. The wiring in the picture in the question lack this, which is a code violation. Of course the electricity can't see the tape so it's not intrinsically unsafe. However, it can be a hazard if someone working on the wiring makes a mistake because it's not labelled as clearly as it should be.
answered 2 days ago
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.5k11741
1
Should be noted more clearly in your post that a black piece of electrical tape should be wrapped near the end of the white wire in situations like this, so it's easily identified as a live wire.
– stevieb
yesterday
This gives me a comfortable feeling that it's ok, but the diagram above does not look like my wiring setup.
– konyak
9 hours ago
@konyak - you have one more cable in your box; it's just continuing the circuit - maybe for example to the light in the next room.
– batsplatsterson
3 hours ago
1
@stevieb - your suggestion certainly can't hurt, I will add it.
– batsplatsterson
3 hours ago
++ The black tape identifier missing is all well and fine when everything is wired together per OP's photo, the problem arises after the wires have all been disconnected for a rewire. Neutral or hot?
– stevieb
3 hours ago
add a comment |
The cable with the white wire that's connected to the two black wires is a switch loop:
Normally wires with white insulation are used only for neutrals, but code makes an exception to allow for use of the white wire in a cable used as a switch loop as a hot rather than a neutral.
If you'll look closely in the drawing, the whites used as hots are wrapped with black tape to indicate they are being used as such. The wiring in the picture in the question lack this, which is a code violation. Of course the electricity can't see the tape so it's not intrinsically unsafe. However, it can be a hazard if someone working on the wiring makes a mistake because it's not labelled as clearly as it should be.
answered 2 days ago
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.5k11741
1
Should be noted more clearly in your post that a black piece of electrical tape should be wrapped near the end of the white wire in situations like this, so it's easily identified as a live wire.
– stevieb
yesterday
This gives me a comfortable feeling that it's ok, but the diagram above does not look like my wiring setup.
– konyak
9 hours ago
@konyak - you have one more cable in your box; it's just continuing the circuit - maybe for example to the light in the next room.
– batsplatsterson
3 hours ago
1
@stevieb - your suggestion certainly can't hurt, I will add it.
– batsplatsterson
3 hours ago
++ The black tape identifier missing is all well and fine when everything is wired together per OP's photo, the problem arises after the wires have all been disconnected for a rewire. Neutral or hot?
– stevieb
3 hours ago
add a comment |
The cable with the white wire that's connected to the two black wires is a switch loop:
Normally wires with white insulation are used only for neutrals, but code makes an exception to allow for use of the white wire in a cable used as a switch loop as a hot rather than a neutral.
If you'll look closely in the drawing, the whites used as hots are wrapped with black tape to indicate they are being used as such. The wiring in the picture in the question lack this, which is a code violation. Of course the electricity can't see the tape so it's not intrinsically unsafe. However, it can be a hazard if someone working on the wiring makes a mistake because it's not labelled as clearly as it should be.
answered 2 days ago
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.5k11741
The cable with the white wire that's connected to the two black wires is a switch loop:
Normally wires with white insulation are used only for neutrals, but code makes an exception to allow for use of the white wire in a cable used as a switch loop as a hot rather than a neutral.
If you'll look closely in the drawing, the whites used as hots are wrapped with black tape to indicate they are being used as such. The wiring in the picture in the question lack this, which is a code violation. Of course the electricity can't see the tape so it's not intrinsically unsafe. However, it can be a hazard if someone working on the wiring makes a mistake because it's not labelled as clearly as it should be.
answered 2 days ago
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.5k11741
edited 3 hours ago
answered 2 days ago
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.5k11741
answered 2 days ago
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.5k11741
answered 2 days ago
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.5k11741
13.5k11741
1
Should be noted more clearly in your post that a black piece of electrical tape should be wrapped near the end of the white wire in situations like this, so it's easily identified as a live wire.
– stevieb
yesterday
This gives me a comfortable feeling that it's ok, but the diagram above does not look like my wiring setup.
– konyak
9 hours ago
@konyak - you have one more cable in your box; it's just continuing the circuit - maybe for example to the light in the next room.
– batsplatsterson
3 hours ago
1
@stevieb - your suggestion certainly can't hurt, I will add it.
– batsplatsterson
3 hours ago
++ The black tape identifier missing is all well and fine when everything is wired together per OP's photo, the problem arises after the wires have all been disconnected for a rewire. Neutral or hot?
– stevieb
3 hours ago
add a comment |
1
Should be noted more clearly in your post that a black piece of electrical tape should be wrapped near the end of the white wire in situations like this, so it's easily identified as a live wire.
– stevieb
yesterday
This gives me a comfortable feeling that it's ok, but the diagram above does not look like my wiring setup.
– konyak
9 hours ago
@konyak - you have one more cable in your box; it's just continuing the circuit - maybe for example to the light in the next room.
– batsplatsterson
3 hours ago
1
@stevieb - your suggestion certainly can't hurt, I will add it.
– batsplatsterson
3 hours ago
++ The black tape identifier missing is all well and fine when everything is wired together per OP's photo, the problem arises after the wires have all been disconnected for a rewire. Neutral or hot?
– stevieb
3 hours ago
1
1
Should be noted more clearly in your post that a black piece of electrical tape should be wrapped near the end of the white wire in situations like this, so it's easily identified as a live wire.
– stevieb
yesterday
Should be noted more clearly in your post that a black piece of electrical tape should be wrapped near the end of the white wire in situations like this, so it's easily identified as a live wire.
– stevieb
yesterday
This gives me a comfortable feeling that it's ok, but the diagram above does not look like my wiring setup.
– konyak
9 hours ago
This gives me a comfortable feeling that it's ok, but the diagram above does not look like my wiring setup.
– konyak
9 hours ago
@konyak - you have one more cable in your box; it's just continuing the circuit - maybe for example to the light in the next room.
– batsplatsterson
3 hours ago
@konyak - you have one more cable in your box; it's just continuing the circuit - maybe for example to the light in the next room.
– batsplatsterson
3 hours ago
1
1
@stevieb - your suggestion certainly can't hurt, I will add it.
– batsplatsterson
3 hours ago
@stevieb - your suggestion certainly can't hurt, I will add it.
– batsplatsterson
3 hours ago
++ The black tape identifier missing is all well and fine when everything is wired together per OP's photo, the problem arises after the wires have all been disconnected for a rewire. Neutral or hot?
– stevieb
3 hours ago
++ The black tape identifier missing is all well and fine when everything is wired together per OP's photo, the problem arises after the wires have all been disconnected for a rewire. Neutral or hot?
– stevieb
3 hours ago
add a comment |
The fact that the white is with the blacks is very important. Most of what you need to know is in the positions of the existing wires; don't be in a hurry to tear it all apart, or you lose that critical info.
Color-coding is not by wire function, it's how cables are made.
That white has been reversed to be a hot. This is because it's in a switch loop, and no neutral is provided, so the neutral is re-tasked. (Today it's required to provide neutral). Because the neutral is re-tasked to be a hot, it must be marked with a few wraps of tape.
White is used for always-hot because another rule requires this. That's so when you're at the other end, it's easier to detect that the white Is hot, because it's always hot.
Once you have identified the neutral bundle(s) (all white), a white that's with mostly blacks is one of these. The fact this is in a lamp makes this most likely a switch loop.
Most likely its partner black is the switched-hot. The lamp will want this switched-hot, and actual neutral.
answered 2 days ago
HarperHarper
73.9k448149
Perhaps this answer could also add the fact that a black piece of electrical tape should be wrapped around the end of a white-hot wire so that it's clearly identifiable, particularly after all wires are disconnected for work. (when I pretended to be an electrician back in the 90's in Ontario, Canada, this was code... don't know about now, but I digress).
– stevieb
3 hours ago
1
@stevieb. It was in there, but the language was so obtuse it was hard to read. I cleaned it up.
– Harper
1 hour ago
I'm pretty pedantic on this point. I'm only doing my own electrical nowadays so I'm unsure if one is still allowed to use white-live or not, but a label to identify should be used and enforced, even if the situation isn't even legally allowed any longer (regardless of locale).
– stevieb
22 mins ago
Yes, marking wires is Code as of 2005 or so, before that it could be omitted "if the usage was obvious". This stack shows the problems with that. "White must be always-hot" has been Code for longer. It's still legal to convert white to a hot, which you would do for a water heater or EV charger. As of 2011 real neutral is required in switch loops, so you won't be marking white in a switch loop anymore; you have to run /3.
– Harper
14 mins ago
Thank you for the full definition/explanation. /3 for switch loops; despite the cost differences, I comprehend the why, and I'll keep it in mind.
– stevieb
7 mins ago
add a comment |
The fact that the white is with the blacks is very important. Most of what you need to know is in the positions of the existing wires; don't be in a hurry to tear it all apart, or you lose that critical info.
Color-coding is not by wire function, it's how cables are made.
That white has been reversed to be a hot. This is because it's in a switch loop, and no neutral is provided, so the neutral is re-tasked. (Today it's required to provide neutral). Because the neutral is re-tasked to be a hot, it must be marked with a few wraps of tape.
White is used for always-hot because another rule requires this. That's so when you're at the other end, it's easier to detect that the white Is hot, because it's always hot.
Once you have identified the neutral bundle(s) (all white), a white that's with mostly blacks is one of these. The fact this is in a lamp makes this most likely a switch loop.
Most likely its partner black is the switched-hot. The lamp will want this switched-hot, and actual neutral.
answered 2 days ago
HarperHarper
73.9k448149
Perhaps this answer could also add the fact that a black piece of electrical tape should be wrapped around the end of a white-hot wire so that it's clearly identifiable, particularly after all wires are disconnected for work. (when I pretended to be an electrician back in the 90's in Ontario, Canada, this was code... don't know about now, but I digress).
– stevieb
3 hours ago
1
@stevieb. It was in there, but the language was so obtuse it was hard to read. I cleaned it up.
– Harper
1 hour ago
I'm pretty pedantic on this point. I'm only doing my own electrical nowadays so I'm unsure if one is still allowed to use white-live or not, but a label to identify should be used and enforced, even if the situation isn't even legally allowed any longer (regardless of locale).
– stevieb
22 mins ago
Yes, marking wires is Code as of 2005 or so, before that it could be omitted "if the usage was obvious". This stack shows the problems with that. "White must be always-hot" has been Code for longer. It's still legal to convert white to a hot, which you would do for a water heater or EV charger. As of 2011 real neutral is required in switch loops, so you won't be marking white in a switch loop anymore; you have to run /3.
– Harper
14 mins ago
Thank you for the full definition/explanation. /3 for switch loops; despite the cost differences, I comprehend the why, and I'll keep it in mind.
– stevieb
7 mins ago
add a comment |
The fact that the white is with the blacks is very important. Most of what you need to know is in the positions of the existing wires; don't be in a hurry to tear it all apart, or you lose that critical info.
Color-coding is not by wire function, it's how cables are made.
That white has been reversed to be a hot. This is because it's in a switch loop, and no neutral is provided, so the neutral is re-tasked. (Today it's required to provide neutral). Because the neutral is re-tasked to be a hot, it must be marked with a few wraps of tape.
White is used for always-hot because another rule requires this. That's so when you're at the other end, it's easier to detect that the white Is hot, because it's always hot.
Once you have identified the neutral bundle(s) (all white), a white that's with mostly blacks is one of these. The fact this is in a lamp makes this most likely a switch loop.
Most likely its partner black is the switched-hot. The lamp will want this switched-hot, and actual neutral.
answered 2 days ago
HarperHarper
73.9k448149
The fact that the white is with the blacks is very important. Most of what you need to know is in the positions of the existing wires; don't be in a hurry to tear it all apart, or you lose that critical info.
Color-coding is not by wire function, it's how cables are made.
That white has been reversed to be a hot. This is because it's in a switch loop, and no neutral is provided, so the neutral is re-tasked. (Today it's required to provide neutral). Because the neutral is re-tasked to be a hot, it must be marked with a few wraps of tape.
White is used for always-hot because another rule requires this. That's so when you're at the other end, it's easier to detect that the white Is hot, because it's always hot.
Once you have identified the neutral bundle(s) (all white), a white that's with mostly blacks is one of these. The fact this is in a lamp makes this most likely a switch loop.
Most likely its partner black is the switched-hot. The lamp will want this switched-hot, and actual neutral.
answered 2 days ago
HarperHarper
73.9k448149
edited 9 mins ago
answered 2 days ago
HarperHarper
73.9k448149
answered 2 days ago
HarperHarper
73.9k448149
answered 2 days ago
HarperHarper
73.9k448149
73.9k448149
Perhaps this answer could also add the fact that a black piece of electrical tape should be wrapped around the end of a white-hot wire so that it's clearly identifiable, particularly after all wires are disconnected for work. (when I pretended to be an electrician back in the 90's in Ontario, Canada, this was code... don't know about now, but I digress).
– stevieb
3 hours ago
1
@stevieb. It was in there, but the language was so obtuse it was hard to read. I cleaned it up.
– Harper
1 hour ago
I'm pretty pedantic on this point. I'm only doing my own electrical nowadays so I'm unsure if one is still allowed to use white-live or not, but a label to identify should be used and enforced, even if the situation isn't even legally allowed any longer (regardless of locale).
– stevieb
22 mins ago
Yes, marking wires is Code as of 2005 or so, before that it could be omitted "if the usage was obvious". This stack shows the problems with that. "White must be always-hot" has been Code for longer. It's still legal to convert white to a hot, which you would do for a water heater or EV charger. As of 2011 real neutral is required in switch loops, so you won't be marking white in a switch loop anymore; you have to run /3.
– Harper
14 mins ago
Thank you for the full definition/explanation. /3 for switch loops; despite the cost differences, I comprehend the why, and I'll keep it in mind.
– stevieb
7 mins ago
add a comment |
Perhaps this answer could also add the fact that a black piece of electrical tape should be wrapped around the end of a white-hot wire so that it's clearly identifiable, particularly after all wires are disconnected for work. (when I pretended to be an electrician back in the 90's in Ontario, Canada, this was code... don't know about now, but I digress).
– stevieb
3 hours ago
1
@stevieb. It was in there, but the language was so obtuse it was hard to read. I cleaned it up.
– Harper
1 hour ago
I'm pretty pedantic on this point. I'm only doing my own electrical nowadays so I'm unsure if one is still allowed to use white-live or not, but a label to identify should be used and enforced, even if the situation isn't even legally allowed any longer (regardless of locale).
– stevieb
22 mins ago
Yes, marking wires is Code as of 2005 or so, before that it could be omitted "if the usage was obvious". This stack shows the problems with that. "White must be always-hot" has been Code for longer. It's still legal to convert white to a hot, which you would do for a water heater or EV charger. As of 2011 real neutral is required in switch loops, so you won't be marking white in a switch loop anymore; you have to run /3.
– Harper
14 mins ago
Thank you for the full definition/explanation. /3 for switch loops; despite the cost differences, I comprehend the why, and I'll keep it in mind.
– stevieb
7 mins ago
Perhaps this answer could also add the fact that a black piece of electrical tape should be wrapped around the end of a white-hot wire so that it's clearly identifiable, particularly after all wires are disconnected for work. (when I pretended to be an electrician back in the 90's in Ontario, Canada, this was code... don't know about now, but I digress).
– stevieb
3 hours ago
Perhaps this answer could also add the fact that a black piece of electrical tape should be wrapped around the end of a white-hot wire so that it's clearly identifiable, particularly after all wires are disconnected for work. (when I pretended to be an electrician back in the 90's in Ontario, Canada, this was code... don't know about now, but I digress).
– stevieb
3 hours ago
1
1
@stevieb. It was in there, but the language was so obtuse it was hard to read. I cleaned it up.
– Harper
1 hour ago
@stevieb. It was in there, but the language was so obtuse it was hard to read. I cleaned it up.
– Harper
1 hour ago
I'm pretty pedantic on this point. I'm only doing my own electrical nowadays so I'm unsure if one is still allowed to use white-live or not, but a label to identify should be used and enforced, even if the situation isn't even legally allowed any longer (regardless of locale).
– stevieb
22 mins ago
I'm pretty pedantic on this point. I'm only doing my own electrical nowadays so I'm unsure if one is still allowed to use white-live or not, but a label to identify should be used and enforced, even if the situation isn't even legally allowed any longer (regardless of locale).
– stevieb
22 mins ago
Yes, marking wires is Code as of 2005 or so, before that it could be omitted "if the usage was obvious". This stack shows the problems with that. "White must be always-hot" has been Code for longer. It's still legal to convert white to a hot, which you would do for a water heater or EV charger. As of 2011 real neutral is required in switch loops, so you won't be marking white in a switch loop anymore; you have to run /3.
– Harper
14 mins ago
Yes, marking wires is Code as of 2005 or so, before that it could be omitted "if the usage was obvious". This stack shows the problems with that. "White must be always-hot" has been Code for longer. It's still legal to convert white to a hot, which you would do for a water heater or EV charger. As of 2011 real neutral is required in switch loops, so you won't be marking white in a switch loop anymore; you have to run /3.
– Harper
14 mins ago
Thank you for the full definition/explanation. /3 for switch loops; despite the cost differences, I comprehend the why, and I'll keep it in mind.
– stevieb
7 mins ago
Thank you for the full definition/explanation. /3 for switch loops; despite the cost differences, I comprehend the why, and I'll keep it in mind.
– stevieb
7 mins ago
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– Ilmari Karonen
yesterday
Do you know where the three cables in the open box go to? The answers below make sense for two, but you have three.
– K.A
yesterday
Location would good since each country has different wiring codes
– UKMonkey
yesterday
@K.A: The third cable almost certainly goes to the next light fixture on the same circuit. See the question I linked above for another very similar example (except with a switched outlet instead of a ceiling light).
– Ilmari Karonen
yesterday
@K.A Black = hot, white = neutral, copper = ground, I assumed. I wired all three as they were in the old mount. However, the light is flickering a bit and I believe that's because my dimmer light switch is incompatible to the new LED lights. So, i'm in the process of replacing the switch.
– konyak
9 hours ago