Dealing with a New or Used Home with Questionable Electrical Wiring
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Home Electrical Wiring Problems and How to Fix Them: Dealing with Questionable Electrical Wiring in a New or Older Home that May Cause Concerns. |
Questionable Electrical Wiring
Electrical Question: I just moved in to this trailer and the wires for the stove are not hooked up to the breaker.
- The ground wire is hooked up but the other 3 are not. There is a red, black and white wire.
- I know the white goes to the neutral bar but I am not sure about the other 2 wires.
- The breaker is a double pole 60 amp.
- I need to know if it matters which wire goes on top and bottom. I would really like to fix my electrical wiring.
Thanks,
Chris
This home electrical wiring question came from: Chris in Texas.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your home electrical question Chris.
Home Electrical Wiring Problems and How to Fix Them
Application: Upgrading Electrical Wiring.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
Electrical Tools Required: Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools for Rough-In Wiring, Electric Drill and Auger Bits, Extension Cords, and Ladders.
Construction Safety: All personal safety measures must be taken when performing remodel projects where you may come into contact with hazardous materials and environmental contaminants such as fiberglass insulation, vermiculite and asbestos, molds or mildew, as well as dust.
Estimated Time: Depends on the extent of the project, the type of wall coverings and structural construction and available access to the project area.
Precaution: Any existing wiring in the immediate area that may interfere with the installation should be identified and turned OFF and Tagged.
Notice: Installing additional electrical wiring or upgrading existing electrical circuits and wiring should always be well thought out, done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
What to do about Questionable Electrical Wiring in a New or Older Home
- Identify Wiring Problems
- The good news is that most everything can be repaired or rewired to become a functioning electrical system when dealt with properly.
- I am hearing lots of stories about homes that are being bought that have questionable electrical wiring, especially when the home was a foreclosure where wiring may have been damaged.
- Perform Qualified Electrical Repairs
- If you have moved into a home that has questionable electrical wiring and you do not have electrical wiring experience then I would suggest that you have theses concerns checked out by a qualified electrician before taking any chances.
- Have the Work Inspected
- After performing electrical repairs and corrections that are code compliant and inspected as required most everything can be repaired or rewired and restored to a functioning electrical system.
- Address Any Electrical Concerns
- In the case of this 240 volt stove circuit for a stove, there is no polarity for the black and red wires, so it does not matter which terminal position the black and red wire will be on at the circuit breaker.
- Ensure Safety and Circuit Integrity
- I would recommend that the stove circuit wiring and the junction box at the stove be inspected and tested to make sure of the circuit integrity, and that it is ready for service.
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Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.
The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!The Non-Contact Electrical TesterThis is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!The Plug-In Outlet TesterThis is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.
Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!The Wire Stripper and Wire CutterMy absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use. |
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What happens if a hot and a neutral wire are connected? I found this in my ceiling light fixture where there used to be a fan. There is also another set of wires (hot and neutral) properly connected.
Hi Marty,
When a hot and neutral of a 120 volt circuit are connected together it will cause the circuit to experience a rush of power that will flow through the ground path which will trip off the circuit breaker or blow the circuit fuse. It should be noted that especially with older homes that white wires were used with light switch circuit wiring of the controlling switch. This is also know as the switched leg, the switch wiring is basically a loop of the hot wire running through the light switch. Some homes that are much older may still have switched neutrals which was a common practice back then, however the method of switching the hot wire has been adopted several years ago.
Dave
I have Old Wiring coming out of my ceiling. There are 2 black wires twisted together and 1 single black wire by it self.
My new ceiling fan /light has 1 black wire, 1 white wire, 1 blue wire, and 1 green wire. The green is no problem.
What wire do I connect to the 2 black twisted wires?
Hi Bernie,
When dealing with older home wiring where the wires are not identified with color insulation but you do know which wire is the ground wire, a voltage tester will be helpful to identify which wire is the hot or black wire with 120 volts, and which is the neutral wire.
Dave