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In a properly wired switch, you should find a bare ground wire of copper. Using a DVM or voltmeter, measure the voltage between the ground wire and both wires attached to the switch. One should be hot or at 120 volts. The other wire will lead to the device the switch turns on or off. If there is no ground wire, you can run a temporary wire from a earth or pipe ground to get a measurement.
To find the hot wire on a light switch, you can use a voltage tester or a multimeter to test for voltage. Make sure to turn off the power before attempting this, then test each wire connected to the switch to identify the one carrying power. Typically, the hot wire is black or red in color.
For a flexible lamp cord:
- If it is in the US, Canada or other countries using the similar wiring codes for 120 volt appliances, the "Hot" or "Live" wire is usually colored Black, the Neutral is usually colored White, and the Ground wire, if there is one in the cord, is colored Green.
- On lamp cord which is a two wire, the neutral is identified by a raised rib on the neutral side of the wire. If the cord has a molded plug on the end you will see that the ribbed wire is connected to the side of the plug that has the wider blade.
This is so that the two wire plug can not be plugged into the receptacle using the wrong polarity. Large blade (neutral) on the left, small blade (hot) on the right.
If it is in a country in Europe or other places around the world using similar wiring codes for 230 volt appliances, the "Hot" or "Live" wire is usually colored Brown, the Neutral wire is usually colored Blue, and the Ground wire, if there is one in the cord, is colored Yellow and Green.
However, no matter what colors you find in a cord or wired to a plug, no-one should ever assume that any particular wire is "hot" or "live" and that another wire is "neutral": the only way to find out for sure which wires are which is to know how to use a proper test probe or test meter whilst taking proper precautions for your personal safety to ensure you do not either electrocute yourself or end-up starting a house-fire!
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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.
Before you do any work yourself,
on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,
always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB
SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY
REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
You always switch the HOT side of the light, never the neutral. This would be the black wire from your voltage source.
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Light switch has 4 wire colors red and white and green and black which is the hot wire?
You have a 3 way switch. Your black wire is the hot wire. Your green wire is the ground wire. Your red and white wires go to the light and other switch. You should have gotten a wiring diagram with your switch.
Can you extend power through a 3 wire switch leg for a half switched outlet to a new switch for a new light?
Yes, you can extend power through the 3-wire switch leg to a new switch for a new light. You would need to connect the hot wire to the common terminal on the existing switch, then extend the hot wire to the new switch, along with the traveler wire. At the new switch, connect the hot wire to the common terminal and the traveler wire to one of the traveler terminals.
How do you wire a basic off switch to a light?
To wire a basic off switch to a light, you will need to connect the switch in line with the hot wire (typically black) leading to the light fixture. The wiring involves cutting the hot wire and connecting each end to the terminals on the switch. Make sure to turn off the power supply before working on the wiring for safety.
How do you wire a light switch with only black and red wires?
The black wire is typically the hot wire that carries the electrical current, while the red wire is often used as a traveler wire. Connect the black wire to one terminal of the light switch and the red wire to the other terminal. Make sure to turn off the power before wiring the switch to avoid electrical shock.
How do you connect multiple lights to one switch starting at the light?
To connect multiple lights to one switch starting at the light, you will need to run a cable from the first light fixture to the switch. Connect the hot wire to the switch, along with a pigtail wire to connect to each light. Then connect each light fixture to the pigtail wire to create a parallel circuit. Make sure to follow proper safety precautions and consult a professional if needed.
Light switch has 4 wire colors red and white and green and black which is the hot wire?
You have a 3 way switch. Your black wire is the hot wire. Your green wire is the ground wire. Your red and white wires go to the light and other switch. You should have gotten a wiring diagram with your switch.
When at a 2 pole light switch and the wire colors shown are black white and green which is the hot wire and which is the common?
the black wire is the hot wire
Can you extend power through a 3 wire switch leg for a half switched outlet to a new switch for a new light?
Yes, you can extend power through the 3-wire switch leg to a new switch for a new light. You would need to connect the hot wire to the common terminal on the existing switch, then extend the hot wire to the new switch, along with the traveler wire. At the new switch, connect the hot wire to the common terminal and the traveler wire to one of the traveler terminals.
How do you wire a basic off switch to a light?
To wire a basic off switch to a light, you will need to connect the switch in line with the hot wire (typically black) leading to the light fixture. The wiring involves cutting the hot wire and connecting each end to the terminals on the switch. Make sure to turn off the power supply before working on the wiring for safety.
What should the reading at the light switch be when the switch and the light fixture is removed. I had a dimmer switch on that light it went out I checked the volts at the switch they were about 14?
On the "hot"wire that comes from the breaker panel the voltage should be from 115 to 120 volts. This is taken from the "hot" wire to either the neutral or the ground wire. If its not then you have a breaker problem or you are on the wrong scale of the test meter.
How do you wire a light switch with only black and red wires?
The black wire is typically the hot wire that carries the electrical current, while the red wire is often used as a traveler wire. Connect the black wire to one terminal of the light switch and the red wire to the other terminal. Make sure to turn off the power before wiring the switch to avoid electrical shock.
Where is the positive brake light wire located?
Should be HOT at one side of the brake light switch
Where hook up interior lights in 1969 Chevrolet?
I believe that it is a grounding switch. If that is the case it would only have one wire going to the switch. You could run this wire to any fused constant hot. The wire would run from the hot, to the light, to the switch.
Why is both wires hot on brake light switch?
If the switch is "closed" both wires should be HOT - with switch open one wire should go COLD-- if not defective switch
A light switch has three wire colors red and white and green which is the hot wire and which is the neutral?
Red is hot Green is ground White is neutral
How do you connect multiple lights to one switch starting at the light?
To connect multiple lights to one switch starting at the light, you will need to run a cable from the first light fixture to the switch. Connect the hot wire to the switch, along with a pigtail wire to connect to each light. Then connect each light fixture to the pigtail wire to create a parallel circuit. Make sure to follow proper safety precautions and consult a professional if needed.
Why is there continuity between ground and the hot wire on a light switch?
Continuity between the ground and hot wire on a light switch indicates a wiring fault or short circuit. This could be caused by incorrect wiring, a damaged switch, or faulty installation. It poses a safety risk and should be corrected immediately by a qualified electrician.
