Given 14/3 is more expensive than 14/2, in most cases, I’d say run power to the switch first unless it’s substantially father away from the power source than the lights (eg: the power-supplying wire passes your lights, then you have to double back with power to the lights).

Which wire do you connect first on a light fixture?


Quote from Youtube video: Now start to connect your light fixture. Remember the black wire in the light fixture is wire nutted to the black wire.

Can you wire a switch after a light?





Power source directly to fixture – When you want to add a switch to a light that is “hot” at the fixture, you can run a new 3 wire cable from the fixture to a box containing the new switch. The black caries the “hot” to the switch, the red carries the hot back to the fixture. Both will be “hot” when the switch is on.

Can switches and outlets be on the same circuit?

In your case it is okay to install a receptacle alongside the switch. However you need a neutral as well as a hot wire which you may not have. Test to see if you have a neutral with a test light or meter. The neutral will be white but some switches are wired up with a white wire that is not a neutral.

Does power wire go on top or bottom of light switch?

Hook the black wire to the bottom terminal on the switch. Hook the white wire to the top terminal on the switch. Push the switch into the box and secure it with screws at the top and bottom. Turn on the power and test the switch.

Why should you connect ground first?

However for safety reasons it does matter. The whole body of the car is usually connected to the minus pole. And you can accidentally hit that body with the positive lead. So connecting the lead first is safer.

Can I draw power from a wall outlet to add a light and light switch?





Adding an electrical outlet next to an existing light switch is easy, as long as there is a neutral wire in the box.

  • Step 1: Turn the power supply off to the light switch at the main electrical panel.
  • Step 2: Remove the switch plate and unscrew the switch from the outlet box.
  • Step 3: Pull the switch out from the box.

Do you run power to the light or switch first?

Given 14/3 is more expensive than 14/2, in most cases, I’d say run power to the switch first unless it’s substantially father away from the power source than the lights (eg: the power-supplying wire passes your lights, then you have to double back with power to the lights).

Why is there two black wires in light switch?

Black means hot, white signifies neutral, and green indicates ground. However, if you need to rewire a light switch or a plug socket, you may occasionally come across two black wires. It’s essential that you determine which black wire is hot before proceeding.

How do I wire a receptacle from a light outlet but keep it hot when light is off?

In this case, you must change the cable from the switch to the light outlet from a 2-wire to a 3-wire cable. As you can see, connecting a receptacle to the light would see the receptacle only hot when the light switch is on.

Does it matter which way a switch is wired?



In the case of a single-pole switch, these wires are interchangeable—it doesn’t make any difference which wire is attached to which screw terminal. Inside the switch is a metal pathway that closes when the switch is in the ON position and opens to interrupt the flow of power when the switch is turned OFF.

What happens if you wire a switch backwards?

This makes things like lamps and many appliances more safe to operate. But here’s the catch: If you connect the circuit wires to the wrong terminals on an outlet, the outlet will still work, but the polarity will be backward.

Where do the wires go on a light switch?

The white or neutral wire bypasses the switch and goes straight to your lights. This wire is needed to complete the circuit. The ground wire (sometimes in a green jacket) should be connected to your switch and to your lights.

What order do I connect wires?



Connect the white neutral wires in the first box to one another by twisting them together and securing them with a wire nut. Twist the three ground wires together in the first box and secure them with a wire nut. Then, connect the end of the shortest ground wire to the green terminal on the switch.

Should I connect white or black wire first?

When electrical wires are joined together the black wires must be hooked together, the white wires must be hooked to the white wires, and the ground wires must be hooked together. Otherwise, the circuit will not work, and will result in an electrical “short.”

What happens if you disconnect the positive terminal first?

It’s important to disconnect the negative side of the battery first, otherwise you can cause an electrical short if the positive is removed first.

Should I disconnect battery if car parked long term?

If you don’t have access to an outlet – say, in a long-term airport parking lot – your second option is to disconnect the battery. That’ll preserve the battery’s charge, so when you reconnect it, the truck should start right up.

Is it OK to just disconnect the negative terminal?



Disconnect battery negative cable



It is a good practice to always disconnect your negative battery terminal first, to minimize the risk of sparks that can lead to car electronics damage and battery explosion. Once you have located the negative terminal, use the wrench to free the nut that tightens the terminal.

Which battery terminal should I disconnect for storage?

negative terminal

If you plan on storing a vehicle for an extended period, it’s advisable to disconnect at least the negative terminal from your car battery. This prevents unnecessary battery drain, as a fully charged battery can hold its charge for 6-12 months if you do this.

How long can a car sit without being driven?

If you’re not looking to store your vehicle indefinitely, which involves different procedures and prep work, experts recommend vehicles be driven every two to three weeks.

Why do you take the negative terminal off first?



The grounded terminal should be disconnected first to ensure that a battery dead-short does not occur, should the spanner disconnecting the other one contact a nearby grounded metal part. A battery dead-short will result in short circuit currents of the order of hundreds of amperes and heavy sparks.