What is the C wire in HVAC?

WHAT IS A C-WIRE? A C-wire, or a common wire, runs from your low voltage heating system (24v) and carries continuous power to your thermostat. In today’s electric market, most newer heating and cooling systems have C-wires, which guarantees compatibility for the installation of all smart thermostats.

Where does C wire go on HVAC?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: The ground path for the 24 volts to return to and so that is actually where we're going to go ahead and hook our C wire into underneath this wire nut. So again with all power off and everything.

How do you connect C wire to HVAC?

On the C-Wire Adapter’s “Equipment” side, connect the wires to the corresponding terminals on the control board. Note: Be sure to remove the plastic tip on each wire before connecting to a terminal. Use the included mount and adhesive pad to attach the C-Wire Adapter inside your furnace or heating system.

What color is the C wire for HVAC?

Blue wires

Blue wires are also called “C” wires because they are the Common wire. C wires are necessary for any “smart” thermostat that needs to be connected to a power source 24/7, regardless of your heat pump type.

How do you identify C wire?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Likely there is gonna be a fifth wire tucked into the wall I'm thinking that's going to be our C wire most likely because as you can see we have a green a yellow a white in a red.

How do I know if my C wire is working?

Easiest way to check is pull any batteries out of the old thermostat and look for a wire (normally blue) is connected to the C spot. If the old unit supports being powered by the common wire, then the unit will turn on without batteries.

Does C wire have voltage?

The C wire, a.k.a. the “common wire”, allows a constant flow of 24 VAC (volts AC) power to a smart thermostat. However, the C wire doesn’t provide the actual source of power to the thermostat. The wires that provide the source of power are the R wires (or hot wires).

How do I know if C wire is live?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Begin by putting one probe whichever probe you want on the rh wire and test every other wire with the other probe. One of the wires will show up is 24 volts and that is your c wire.

How many wires can be connected to the C terminal at the furnace?



Two wires per terminal in HVAC work is common (though not usually correct), while 3 or more will tend to use a pigtail.

Can Nest thermostat work without C wire?

Nest claims that you can use the Nest Thermostat without a C-wire. While this is true, it would be advisable to have a C-wire. A lot of Nest users have had problems when they use the thermostat without a C-wire. In the absence of a C wire, your thermostat battery charges itself by using the power from your HVAC system.

What has C wire but no power?

Quick Check for an Existing C-wire:



If it has batteries, remove them. If the thermostat loses power it does not have a C-wire, and you may need an add-a-wire kit. If it doesn’t lose power, locate your breaker panel. Flip the breaker for the wall with the thermostat on it.

What is the blue C wire on a thermostat?



The Blue or C Wire



C wires or varying colors apply to every thermostat, but blue C wires belong to thermostats attached to a heat pump. Blue wires are for heat pumps. This wire connects to terminal B on your thermostat.

Is com 24V the same as C wire?

Thanks! Yes, it’s the same. “Common” or Com or C is a commonly used term for the neutral conductor in low voltage AC circuits.

What color is the common wire?

Among all these wires, neutral wires are often known as common wires. One such reason is that Americans find white wires in every circuit. So, they call it the common wire to distinguish neutral wires from hot ones. In circuits, hot wires represent the source of electricity and the start of a circuit.

What are the 5 thermostat wires?

5 Wire Thermostat Wiring (Any HVAC Device – Air Conditioners, Heat Pumps, Furnaces, etc.)

  • Red wire for power (24V).
  • White wire for heating (connected to W or W1 terminal).
  • Green wire for fans.
  • Blue or yellow wire for cooling (connected to Y).
  • Black wire for “C” or “Common” wire.



What happens if you wire thermostat wrong?

Potential consequences of improper installation could include: Electric shock. Blowing a circuit breaker. Damaging the thermostat unit, the electrical system or even the AC/furnace unit itself.

Why does my thermostat have 6 wires?

If your system has six wires, it’s because it features second-stage heating, second-stage cooling or heat-pump cooling but not all three. The extra wire signals the additional function to come on. If your system has second-stage heating and cooling as well as a heat pump, then the thermostat needs eight wires, not six.