Electrical Devices: How They Work & How To Wire Them
Common Electrical Devices
- Main Power Box or Power Panel
- Single and Duplex Receptacles
- Toggle and Dimming Switches
- Fixed Lighting & Appliances
WARNING: When working with electricity, removing covers, or examining your wiring, be certain to turn the power
OFF first. The main power box may not have a disconnect and you may have to call the power company to pull the meter
or turn off your electricity at the pole.
CAUTION: Depending on the
local building codes and laws, some or all of your work must be done by a
licensed
electrician. In some areas, the homeowner is allowed to do some or all
of the work when supervised by a licensed
electrician. Most likely, the work will have to be inspected by a local
building inspector and if any of the work fails to pass, it will
have to be replaced and done correctly.
Main Power Box or Power Panel
This has many names, depending on locality and manufacturer. It's where the power comes in to your home and
usually there will be a main disconnect along with over-current protection. Fuses or breakers provide over-current protection
for the many smaller circuits.
For 110/120 volt circuits, it is common to use
cable that has three wires. A wire that is bare is used for the safety
ground, a wire with white insulation for the neutral lead, and a wire
with black insulation for the "hot," or power lead. Inside
the power panel, the black wire is connected to the lug on the breaker,
the white wire is connected to the neutral block
of lugs, and the safety ground wire is connected to the ground block of
lugs.
For 220/240 volt circuits, an extra wire is needed for power. Some appliances, such as an electric water heater
doesn't need a neutral wire, and often the same type of cable is used as in 110/120 volt circuits. It is common to use a red
marker to color the white wire, indicating that is carries power. Inside the power panel, a larger 220/240 volt breaker is used
which has two power lugs; the black and red wire is connected to these, while the ground wire is connected to the ground
block of lugs.
Other 220/240 volt appliances, such as an electric clothes dryer, require the neutral wire, too. In this case, a
different cable is used which has a red, black, white, and bare wire. Again, the red and black are connected to a larger
220/240 volt breaker, the white wire is connected to the neutral block of lugs, and the safety ground wire is connected to
the ground block of lugs. You should never use the bare ground wire for the neutral wire.
Single and Duplex Receptacles
These are often called outlets, and modern ones can accept a plug with two straight blades, a polarizing plug with
two straight blades, one of which is larger so it cannot be plugged in the wrong way, or a grounding plug with two
straight blades and a grounding prong.
These have two brass, or gold, colored screws for the black wire(s), two silver colored screws for the white wire(s),
and one screw, often painted green, for the bare ground wire.
When connecting receptacles "in line," where more than one receptacle is used in the same circuit, the extra screws
for the black and white wires are used to "feed" the next receptacle(s) in line.
Two separate circuits can be included in one duplex receptacle by removing the tab that connects between the screws
for the black wire and also between the screws for the white wire. This would commonly be used in a kitchen, where
more circuits are needed, or where an outlet is switched for a floor lamp. In this case, removing the tabs separates the
receptacle so wiring from two different circuits can be connected.
Toggle and Dimming Switches
These are commonly used to control lighting. Sometimes toggle switches are used for other purposes, such as
switching an outlet or for a garbage disposal. Dimmer switches should only be used for incandescent lighting that is
permanently installed.
Switches are always wired so that the hot, or
black, wire is the one that gets switched. Due to how wire is made,
often
the physical color of the insulation may be white, but in reality, it is
carrying the hot side of the circuit. Often, folks use a
black marker to color the white wire black.
When physically running wiring, there are two methods used. One is called a "switch leg," where the wiring runs directly
to the lighting fixture or device, and then more wiring runs to the switch — one carries power to the switch and the
other returns power back from the switch to the fixture or device.
The other method is done "in line," where the hot wire goes to the switch, and continues on to the hot wire that feeds
the circuit; the two the white, or neutral, wires are connected together.
Fixed Lighting & Appliances
These are normally permanently installed and "hard wired," instead of using a receptacle and plugging them in.
Some examples are light fixtures, built-in dishwashers, ceiling fans, etc. The wiring size should be adequate to handle
the amount of current, with the proper size breaker or fuse. Most of these devices come with a wiring diagram and
information about the minimum circuit requirements, usually rated in amps, and sometimes watts.
Replacing Devices
First, always turn off the power. Before removing any wires, it is a good idea to make a wiring diagram, and mark all of
the wires using masking, or other light colored, tape. Sometimes it is easier if you have the new device on hand. If
the number of connectors or terminals are not the same for both devices, you need to get help before you connect
anything. Remember that the color of wire in the wall may not be what you expect — a white colored wire is often used for power
in a switch leg. Draw a picture of the device and terminals, label each with a letter or number, and mark each wire the
same. Often, when devices look different they still work the same but the physical locations of the terminals or colors of
the wires may be different.
When connecting two wires, use a "wire nut" that has a metal connector (looks like a spring) inside. Tighten to the
right (clockwise from the bare ends)and for extra safety, use black electrical tape to secure the wire nut. All connections
should be made inside of an electrical box with a cover.
If you blow a fuse or breaker after installing a new device, it's time to call an electrician. Most likely, you
connected something wrong, and with electricity, you ought not to play "eenie, meenie, miny, moe," trying to guess how to make
it work.
A schematic, or electrical diagram, only shows the logical connections. Wiring diagrams show the physical location
and connection of the wires. If you don't know the difference, get help before you start.
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