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.
|
||||||||
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. |
||
| More articles about Home Electrical Wiring and Home Electrical Wiring: | |
| « Previous | Next » |
| Altering Generator Transfer Switch Connections | Outlet Grounding Upgrades |
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