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It could be that the switch box is used as a junction box. This is quite common in house wiring. If it is a three wire that you found this condition on then this is what is going on. If you shut the breaker off when you were working on the circuit, turn the breaker above it and the breaker below it and that should turn off the second hot wire.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoA switch on the live wire means, when off, current can't flow past the switch and reach a bulb, for instance. If the switch was on the neutral side, when off, the current would be able to reach the bulb and the bulb holder would be live - chance of a shock!
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoif the switch was in series with the neutral wire the socket would still have power on it with the switch off and dangerous shocks would e possible!
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoAs a safety precaution.
If the Neutral wire is switched, the rest of the appliance would be 'Hot' or have live voltage on (in?) it.
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How do you fix a light switch after two live wires touch?
There has to be more to this question for a good answer. For the most part a light switch has two contacts, with a wire at each one. One live wire and another going to the light itself. There is also a neutral wire return (from the light to the electrical panel). There is only one live wire in any electrical circuit. [Please, don't flame me with examples of multiple electrical sources in circuitry. We're talking about home lighting.] If somehow you shorted the live wire from the switch to the electrical box (ground) or to another wire in the box, it was only momentary and you can just proceed with replacing the switch. It's a good idea to turn off the power first.
Why live and neutral wire essential for proper working of electrical circuit?
Two wires are always needed to supply electrical equipment so that the current has a complete circuit to flow in. One of the wires is earthed at the supply transformer, that one is called the neutral, and the other one is the live.
What position would you find live electrical wire?
You would find a live electric wire, with a neutral and usually also an earth wire, in any place where electricity is used. The wires are colour coded differently in different areas but in Europe live is brown, neutral is blue and earth is green/yellow.
Can you replace a 3-way light switch with a standard switch and cap off the wires or can you use the 3-way switch and make it into a standard switch?
It can be done but it requires knowledge about how a 3way is wired to convert it to a regular switch. It would involve testing live wires to determine where power starts at. You can't just replace one switch.
Can you replace wall light switch with a PIR switch if Wall switch has usual live neutral and earth but PIR has live in live out and neutral.?
An ordinary light switch does NOT have any neutral -- it only switches the live wire. Some installers use the white wire as a "switched" wire to the light fixture, where the power cable went to the light and a separate cable went to the switch. Technically, the white wire should have been marked with red or black tape at each end, to signify it is not neutral - it is either live or off. In that case, you would not be able to use a PIR switch because there is no neutral, which is necessary to provide power to the electronic circuit in the PIR. You would need to rewire the switch with a new power cable from the branch circuit. The you have the live and neutral wires in the outlet box, connect them to the PIR, and run the pigtailed neutral and the switched live (and pigtailed ground) to the light fixture (where you would disconnect the other power cable completely and cap the ends separately).
How can i find out if the live wires i found in my wall are for a light switch or an outlet?
Use a voltage tester held next to the wire. Turn the switch off. If the tester stops beeping then the wires are on that switch.
If you were making a tool used to handle live electrical wires which class of materials would you most likely use?
These materials must be insulators.
What are the safety measures against electric shock?
· Never touch the live electrical wires · Never touch electrical plugs with wet hands · Use dry or rubber soled Sholes while repairing the electrical works · Never touch the live and naked wires
When you unplug a switch it still has some currentwhy?
That would depend on the application of your switch. If your switch is coupled with a capacitor, then the capacitor may hold a charge. If your switch has multiple live power sources, you might not be fully disconnecting it from live current. The basic theory of an electrical switch is to connect and/or disconnect an electrical circuit. The switch itself either conducts or insulates against the flow of electricity, and does not maintain it's own charge.
How do you fix a light switch after two live wires touch?
There has to be more to this question for a good answer. For the most part a light switch has two contacts, with a wire at each one. One live wire and another going to the light itself. There is also a neutral wire return (from the light to the electrical panel). There is only one live wire in any electrical circuit. [Please, don't flame me with examples of multiple electrical sources in circuitry. We're talking about home lighting.] If somehow you shorted the live wire from the switch to the electrical box (ground) or to another wire in the box, it was only momentary and you can just proceed with replacing the switch. It's a good idea to turn off the power first.
What are the dangers present when doing electrical work?
There are many dangers present when doing electrical work including overhead power cables and electrical wires which are obvious and then there are the less obvious ones like cables underground and loose live wires. It is advisable not to do electrical work if you are not a trained professional.
On which line is the switch of electrical appliance connected?
A Switch on a domestic supply has always got to be on the LIVE part of that circuit. A double pole switch switches both the LIVE and NEUTRAL off together.
Why live and neutral wire essential for proper working of electrical circuit?
Two wires are always needed to supply electrical equipment so that the current has a complete circuit to flow in. One of the wires is earthed at the supply transformer, that one is called the neutral, and the other one is the live.
What position would you find live electrical wire?
You would find a live electric wire, with a neutral and usually also an earth wire, in any place where electricity is used. The wires are colour coded differently in different areas but in Europe live is brown, neutral is blue and earth is green/yellow.
Why should you not connect any electrical switch to the neutral instead of the phase?
IF Neutral is connected to the Switch then Live still exists on the socket even if the Switch is OFF.In such a situation a person can get a shock as Live can form a circuit thru the body to Ground.
How can you determine if a light switch is bad or if the wires running to the switch are bad?
take the switch off and wire a plug right to it and plug something in that should tell you if they are live but kill the power in that room first in the basement
What is the difference between 4-pole changeover switch and 3-pole changeover switch?
4-pole changeover switch connects also the neutral wire. 3-pole changeover switch connects only the 3 live wires.
