Why do I have 2 live wires on my light switch?
If there are two wires in the box then it can only be the Line (Live) voltage ‘IN’ which is then switched by the switch to the Switched Live (S/L) which passes the supply to the bulb with the bulb getting its ‘Neutral’ from the Junction Box and or the light rose.
Why are there 4 wires on my light switch?
Since the switch cuts the power on and off, there will be a black wire coming into the switch and a black wire leaving. The whites are normally just connected together with a wire nut and the coppers are connected together with a wire nut or grounded to a metal junction box. So the new switch has four wires.
Why does my light switch have 3 wires?
A 3-way switch makes it easy to turn on a light fixture from two separate locations in the home. Wiring one is slightly different from wiring a single-pole switch. In a standard, single-pole switch, one light switch controls one light fixture—on/off.
What is a traveler wire?
The traveler wires run between the two 3-way switches, offering two potential pathways to complete the circuit and send power onward to the light fixture. It makes no difference which traveler wire goes to which traveler terminal on the switch; the traveler terminals are interchangeable.
How do you wire a light with two live wires?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: We therefore take the live wire and divert this into the common terminal or switch one we run another wire from the common terminal or switch to and connect this to the lamp.
Do you need a neutral wire for a light switch?
In the case of smart light switches, they typically require a neutral wire because they need to be powered all the time. The neutral wire allows the circuit to be completed and the switch to be powered on. This is true even when you have a smart light switch in the “off” position.
What do you do with extra wires in a light fixture?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: For this job you will need some wire nuts and electrical tape so here's a standard electrical box this sits in between two studs.
Why does my house wire have 4 wires?
A four-wire electrical line has a red hot wire, a black hot wire, a white common wire and a ground wire. A two-wire line is usually a black hot wire and a white common wire. The ground may be there, but it may not be connected.
What do you do with a neutral wire in a light switch?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Down here and we do have a neutral water we've got a white wire here. And this neutral wire that means that we can use any of these three light switches any of these three smart light switches.
What is the traveler on a light switch?
The black and red wires are “travelers” and are connected to the traveler screw terminals on the two switches. This provides two alternate pathways for hot current to flow between the switches—this is what allows the switches to turn the lights on and off in a flexible manner.
Can I take power from a light switch?
Switch boxes can sometimes be used as a power source for a new outlet, but only if the box is large enough and has neutral and ground wires running through it.
Can a white wire be a traveler?
All white wires used as travelers between the 3-way switches should have their ends wrapped with black electrical tape or in a plastic wire nut.
What happens when 2 Live wires touch?
You will receive a shock if you touch two wires at different voltages at the same time. You will receive a shock if you touch a live wire and are grounded at the same time. When a circuit, electrical component, or equipment is energized, a potential shock hazard is present.
What is a loop in lighting circuit?
Loop-in circuits. With loop-in wiring, the main circuit cable from the consumer unit loops in and out of multi-terminal ceiling roses, from which individual cables run to the light switches. This type of wiring system does away with the need for junction boxes and separate cables to the lights.
Why are there two neutral wires?
There are two black and two white wires in an outlet box because the outlet is in the middle of a series circuit, accepting power from another source and sending it on. Two cables are hot wires, bringing the power in and carrying it onward to the next. Two cables are neutral and do the same.
Why does my light switch have 2 black wires?
STEP 3: Identify the terminal and ground wires.
Observe the layout of the wires. You should see two black wires, each connecting to a different screw on the side of the switch. These are called terminal screws. You will also see two white (neutral) wires that connect to one another in the box.
What happens when two neutrals touch?
If two neutrals are under one lug and you only switch off one circuit breaker the second circuits return path will remain energized causing a dangerous hazard if contact is made by the electrician or arcing if the neutral wire comes in contact with any grounded parts of the panel.
Can you leave a neutral wire unconnected?
Yes, Just cap off the neutral wire aka “grounded conductor”. Like the other Chris said, do not connect to the bare ground just leave as is with a wire nut on the end to keep it insulated.
Can you put 2 neutral wires together?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So what you want to do is you want to twist them just enough. So that they can be joined. Together so let's just go ahead and twist them together just.
Can neutral wires touch each other?
If you touch the neutral wire in a live circuit, whether it be a lamp, an appliance or something else, it is the same as touching the active wire. It is only “safe” to touch the neutral wire when there is no current flowing, just as it is “safe” to touch the earth wire (when one exists).
