What is a pigtail wire?

A pigtail wire is a short length of wire that connects at one end to a screw terminal on an electrical device, with the other end joined to circuit wires with a wire connector (wire nut).

What is an NM cable?





The non-metallic (NM) designation refers to the outer sheathing that bundles individual wires together like a cable. This is in contrast to metallic sheathed cable or conduit wiring, in which the bundle of individual conductors is protected by some form of a metal coil or metal conduit.

How do you reconnect a stripped wire?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Put your wires together. Take a pair of linesman pliers. And give it a couple twists and this is going to make it just a very nice solid connection when you twist on a wire connector.

How do you loop a wire through a screw?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: But if you're replacing a three-way switch the wire order is critical slip the wire. Under the screw then close the loop by pressing it against the block. Tighten the screw.

What is a MWBC?

MWBC is an acronym for a multi-wire branch circuit. It is a wiring method when an electrician uses one cable for two circuits. The two circuits share one neutral. A more technical definition would be when two ungrounded conductors share one grounded conductor.

Why do you pigtail wires?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: But you don't really want to take advantage of all that capacity. And why is that one is from a convenience standpoint. If i needed to push this outlet back in this box compared to this it's much

What does Romex wiring look like?

A 12-2 Romex will have a black(hot) and a white(neutral) wire as well as an unsheathed copper wire for ground. A 12-3 Romex will have a black(hot), red(hot), white(neutral), and bare copper. The red on a 12-3 is used for three-way light switches which are covered later.

Is Romex wire illegal?

While allowed in houses, it is important to note that the NEC prohibits the use of Romex conductors in residences higher than 3 stories, while the wires are prohibited altogether in commercial buildings.

What is BX wiring?

What Are BX Cable and Wire? Going under alternative names such as metallic sheathed cable, type AC, MC, Greenfield, or armored cable, BX cable is a collection of plastic-coated insulated wires (typically 14- or 12-gauge), bundled together and protected by a ribbon-like metal sheathing.

What are wire ferrules used for?



An electric wire ferrule (sometimes electric end terminal) is a metal tube crimped over stranded wire to secure the strands within a screw terminal. Electrical insulation may be included to protect any exposed portion of the wire not completely inside the screw terminal post.

What is side wire?

Side wiring a device is when the wires are attached using the side terminal screws. To do this, use a pair of pliers to bend the wire, creating a “fish hook”, and place the hook around the appropriate screw. Tighten the screw so it holds the wire firmly in place.

How do you do pigtail wires?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Now the reason you go clockwise is because when you go to put on your wire nut you're going to be screwing it clockwise. You want the wires to tighten in on each.

What are the five types of wiring?



5 Different Types of Electrical House Wiring Systems

  • Cleat Wiring. This wiring comprises of PVC insulated wires or ordinary VIR that are braided and compounded. …
  • Casing and Capping Wiring. …
  • Batten Wiring. …
  • Lead Sheathed Wiring. …
  • Conduit Wiring.


What is a Multibranch circuit?

According to NEC Article 100, a multiwire branch circuit consists of two or more ungrounded conductors that have a voltage between them, and a grounded conductor that has equal voltage between it and each ungrounded conductor of the circuit and that is connected to the neutral or grounded conductor of the system.

What is an Edison circuit?

A shared neutral is a connection in which a plurality of circuits use the same neutral connection. This is also known as a common neutral, and the circuits and neutral together are sometimes referred to as an Edison circuit.

What is the Edison 3 wire system?



On March 20, 1883, a U.S. Patent was issued to Thomas A. Edison for a three-wire distribution and branch circuit electrical system consisting of a neutral conductor having a voltage of 120 between it and each of two “hot” conductors with a voltage between them of 240.

Can two circuits share one neutral?

What is a multiwire branch circuit? A multiwire branch circuit is a branch circuit with a shared neutral. This means there are two or more ungrounded (hot) phase or system conductors with a voltage between them and a shared neutral.

What happens if earth and neutral wires touch?

In Short if neutral wire touches a earth wire,



An earth wire carrying load current is a risk of electric shock because a person touching this earth may present an alternative path for the load current and thus the risk of electric shock.

Can you get shock from neutral wire?

The neutral wire does have current going through it. However, we do not get shocked when we touch something with current going through it, we get shocked when current goes through us. In this case all of the current that enters one end of the section of wire we are touching also leaves the other end.

Can you touch a live wire without getting shocked?



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.