Anyone an Electrician?

[woowoo]

Originally posted by: yellowfiero

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth

Originally posted by: yellowfiero

Originally posted by: BCinSC
OK, so refresh my memory. Take for example an overhead light. The feed from the panel comes to it and a switch is is inserted on the neutral side, correct?

NEVER switch a neutral! Unless you switch the hot as well. You never want the socket to be hot when the switch is off!

This is a light, not a socket.

Doesn't matter. Think of it, if he switched the neutral, then the center socket of the lamp would always be hot.

Correct
Never switch a nuetral
It's just asking for trouble.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth

Originally posted by: yellowfiero

Originally posted by: BCinSC
OK, so refresh my memory. Take for example an overhead light. The feed from the panel comes to it and a switch is is inserted on the neutral side, correct?

NEVER switch a neutral! Unless you switch the hot as well. You never want the socket to be hot when the switch is off!

This is a light, not a socket.

Switching neutrals is a violation of code and common sense. It leaves your supply line hot at all times. It could cause someone injury.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: yellowfiero

Originally posted by: BCinSC
And on a 15A circuit, 14/2 with ground is correct? 12/2wg for 20A?

A 15A breaker can use 14/2 or 12/2

But any 15 amp edison sockets or light switches will not accept 12 guage wire in the "quick wire" hole. One MUST use the screw terminal mounting point for the connection of 12 guage wire to 15 amp edison and switches.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: BCinSC
You'll love this: was down at father-in-laws in Florida this weekend. Overhead fans/lights were run with 18 guage lamp cord. Yup, DAPO (dumbass previous owner) actually took the time to run it through walls and ceiling, but created MAJOR fire hazard.

Now that you are aware of this, if you do not bring it up to code, and there is an incident with that wire, your homeowners insurance may disqualify themselves for fire coverage, and probably property loss as well.
Do NOT let it stay that way.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Usually. There's exceptions. Most often the neutral and hot go to the light, and the neutral is run to the switch and back before actually being connected to the light's neutral.

In older construction, it is more typical for the light box in the ceiling to have the hot line / neutral and simply use the 2 conductors to the switch to switch the hot line. This was called a "Hot ceiling" or "Hot Lamp box" by the oldtimer I (grandfather) who I learned under. Nowadays we simply run the lines into the switch and then to the lamp because it's easier, and we don't have to tape the white leg black (or red) as required by code and common sense.