What To Do With An Extra Hot Wire or Cable
|
Safe Keeping for Spare Electrical Wires and Cables: Spare electrical wiring must be dealt with properly to avoid danger. |
Safe Practices for Spare Electrical Wires and Cables
Electrical Question: The previous owner in my home finished the basement and added a large closet.
- I have taken down the closet and now when rewiring I have realized that I have an extra wire that is coming from the breaker and is hot but I don’t need it.
- What would be the safest way to dismantle this wire? Also technically I’m not sure if it comes from the breaker I just know it’s live.
Thanks Josh
This electrical wiring question came from: Josh, a Homeowner from Ft. Collins, Colorado.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Josh.
Safe Keeping for Spare Electrical Wires and Cables
Spare electrical wiring must be dealt with properly to avoid danger.
The live wire may have been installed for a future closet light.Safe Keeping for Spare Electrical Wires and Cables You may also reroute the wire into another electrical box and just cap off the wires. The other alternative is to trace the wire back to its origin and totally remove it.
The Following will assist you with Electrical Wires and Cables
Electrical Junction Box Splice
Emergency Electrical Splices
Wiring Electrical Codes
splicing wires
Electrical Junction Box Splice
Electrical junction box splices can be made safely when you understand the method. This example will show you how its done step by step and shows how to make a junction box splice and the related electrical codes.
House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers
electrical wire
Electrical Wire for the Home
Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.
junction boxes
Electrical Junction Boxes for Home Wiring
Understanding electrical junction boxes and what they are used for. Home electrical wiring is the process of installing electrical wire to a location that will serve electrical devices or an appliance. One very important component is the box where the wire will be installed. The type and size of the home wiring electrical boxes will depend upon the circuit size, application and its location.
How to Install Basement Electrical Wiring
Basement Electrical Wiring
Fully Explained Photos and Wiring Diagrams for Basement Electrical Wiring with Code Requirements for most new or remodel projects.
|
||||||||
Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.
| More articles about Home Electrical Wiring and Home Electrical Wiring: | |
| « Previous | Next » |
| Altering Generator Transfer Switch Connections | Rated Capacity of Electrical Wire |
FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments
2 Responses to “What To Do With An Extra Hot Wire or Cable”You must be logged in to post a comment.
I am installing a ceiling fan. There are 4 sets of wires coming into the electrical box mounted in the ceiling. I only need the one for the wall switch. How do I safely deal with the other wires? Do I connect all the same color wires or do I connect the positive, negative and ground wires together that are coming from the same lines?
Identifying Junction Box Wires
Hi Robert,
There are several variations and methods of electrical wiring. The wires you have described are important and have a purpose that can only be identified by using a voltage tester and some circuit logic as it pertains to your home. Typically when there are several wires in a junction box such as this it may be discovered that some of the wires are for the incoming circuit power, outgoing circuit power, and wiring for the wall switch.
I hope this helps,
Dave