Electrician Training Electrical Certification wiring recessed light fixtures Electrical Wiring Electrical Troubleshooting and Electrical Repairs wire outdoor light fixture Home Electrical Wiring Diagrams

wiring home generator and transfer switch wiring a 220 volt range cord outlet Wiring for GFCI Outlets Wiring Outlets and a Switched Outlet Wiring and Installing Ceiling Fans and Remote Controls wire dimmer switch wiring diagrams for switches wiring a dryer cord and 220 outlet circuit breaker panel
Electrical Wire and Cable
ask the electrician
Electrician Training Electrical Certification wiring recessed light fixtures Electrical Wiring Electrical Troubleshooting and Electrical Repairs wire outdoor light fixture Home Electrical Wiring Diagrams
wiring home generator and transfer switch wiring a 220 volt range cord outlet Wiring for GFCI Outlets Wiring Outlets and a Switched Outlet Installing and Wire Ceiling Fans and Remote Controls wire dimmer switch wiring diagrams for switches wiring a dryer cord and 220 outlet circuit breaker panel
Electrical Wire and Cable

2 Wire and 3 Wire Cables


home electrical wiring By
Summary: Electrical Wiring Question:
How do you know when to use 12-2 versus 12-3, 14-3 versus 14-2. I keep on getting confused on when to use 2 wire versus 3 wire.


When to Use 2Wire and 3Wire Cables


Electrical Wiring Video

Install a Generator and Transfer Switch Panel

NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos

Will Display at the End of This Video

So Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!


Check out my YouTube Channel:
» AskTheElectrician «
and Subscribe!


Electrical Troubleshooting Question:
My question is, how do you know when to use 12-2 cable versus 12-3 cable, 14-3 cable versus 14-2 cable. I keep on getting confused on when to use 2 wire versus 3 wire.
Thank You,Matt W.


Hi Matt - Great Electrical Repair Question!
2 and 3 wire cables can have several uses such as home run power feeds going back to the panel, branch feeds, single switching, 3-way switching, 4-way switching etc. It all depends on what you are wiring and what the electrical application will be.

Circuits Installed from the Electrical Panel

2-Wire Circuit
A 2-wire (black and white with the ground) cable will be used for one hot and one neutral or one circuit.

3-Wire Circuit
A 3-wire circuit (black, red, white and the ground) cable can be used for feeding two circuits that will share the neutral and ground wire.

Multi-Wire Configuration
The 2 circuit multi-wire configuration requires that the black and red hots be attached to a two-pole circuit breaker that has a tie-bar so that these two circuits are not fed from the same buss in the panel.

This will ensure that the neutral wire load will be balanced and not become overloaded under normal circumstances.

Voltage Readings
The voltage reading from black to red will be 240 volts because they are attached one to the two separate busses or phases, but the voltage reading from black to white/neutral or ground will be 120 volts and the same for the reading for the red wire to white/neutral or ground.

Be Careful and Be Safe, never work on energized circuits!



» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here is How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.


  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handywomen, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.




Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This 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 Tester
This 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 Cutter
My 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.

electrical parts

Residential Electrical Parts and Accessories


Light Switches

120volt Outlets

Circuit Breakers

Electrician Tools

Voltage Testers


RELATED


More about 2 wire and 3 wire cables

Splicing 220 Volt Wiring
How to Splice 220 Volt Electrical Wiring: Considerations when splicing 220 volt cable wiring in order to make the splice safe, accessible and makes sure the circuit maintains integrity.

Upgrading Knob and Tube Electrical Wiring
How can I replace knob and tube wiring? The Most Common Methods for Upgrading Knob and Tube Electrical Wiring, How to Upgrade Electrical Wiring for Light Fixtures and Switches.

How to Make an Electrical Cable Splice
How to Splice Electrical Cables: Where the cables enter into the junction box will depend on the cable orientation, however I have found that it is best to enter at the same side in order to line up the conductors evenly for the splice.

Kitchen Light Fixture Wiring
How to Connect the Wire When Replacing a Light Fixture that has Multiple Cables and Wires.

Understanding Electrical Wiring for Ceiling Light Fixtures
Ceiling Light Fixture Electrical Wiring and Connections: Depending on the age of the home there may be one or more cables found in the ceiling junction box. These cables are used for distributing power to the light fixture, the wall switch, and may provide power to wall receptacle outlets as well.

Electrical Wiring for a Bath Light Fan Combo
How do I wire the switches for my bath fan and light? How to Identify Electrical Wiring for Installing a Bath Fan Combo with a Light, Wiring Connections for a Bathroom Exhaust Fan.

Causes of Incorrect Electrical Voltage
Why is the Voltage wrong at the Electric Service Panel? How to Troubleshoot Incorrect Voltage Readings.

Wiring a Time Switch for a Outside Light Fixture
How can I replace a wall switch with a time switch for my outside lights? How to Wire a Timer Switch for Outdoor Lights, The Most Common Wire Colors and Connections for a Time Switch and How to Connect Them.

2 wire and 3 wire cables - 1794