It clips on to one or two live busbars in a panel box and passes this liveness through itself to the circuit wire attached to it, normally by means of a screw. Question: I have can lights in an old house that the common wire is hot. It refers to an intended or unintended connectedness to the earth. It is understandable that some people use "socket" to mean the receptacles we plug cords into, because in both cases the one thing is receiving the other thing that actually "uses up" electricity. To understand the function that different wires on a circuit play, see Hot or Neutral or Ground above, or see, Read more about 3-ways, including diagrams. Once you understand the different types of switches and outlets and follow a wiring diagram you should be able to install a new electrical wiring in your home or repair existing problems with light switches and outlets. AC (Alternating current) Electrical current that reverses direction . So in this case you cannot get back or use the "common" wire. Collapse All Expand All A. Abrasion Resistance. We'll show you how to do... Upgrade communications wiring and hardware for better reception with less interference. Because a house is provided with alternating current, the terms "positive" and "negative" do not apply as they do to direct current in batteries, cars, and such. What a great way to enjoy softer light and a reduced energy bill! Since those appliances don’t require a neutral but use two current-carrying conductors and a ground wire, an electrician may repurpose the white to carry the secondary phase (also called a “secondary leg”) of the 220-voltage. In homes, wires that run to outlet and switch locations are mostly within cables; their sizes (gauges: "AWG") are (from smallest) 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, etc., with larger wires at the meter and panel using a different numbering system. However, those same 220-volt appliances can be wired with a black and white wire, where the white wire had been marked with black or red tape at both the appliance and in the main panel to indicate that it has been re-purposed as a current-carrying wire. A device used to interrupt continuity and current to part of a circuit. A short piece of wire within a box, going between two wirenuts or between two devices' terminals. When in its normal operation a circuit has carried a little too much flow a little too long, so that the wires will be getting too hot to be safe, the breaker will trip off. The power is run through an electric meter, which records how much energy is used in … The key elements for these wiring scenarios are describer with wiring diagrams and instructions. Instead, in the case of 120-volt power, we tend to say that the power company is providing electricity that will flow "to" their neutral wire "from" hot wire. Standard wall outlet are typically easy to replace and wire, however it may be discovered that the wiring is not correct or that the outlet is not grounded and will require further attention. An older term for the nominal voltage in a home for running some major appliances. Handy homeowners do electrical work all the time. For instance, a wire has become too loose at the terminals on a receptacle or at a wire connector. You’ll find black and red or orange wires connected to 220-volt appliances like electric water heaters, well pumps, and older electric ranges. The wires running to the element are black and white, but the white wire is wrapped with red tape. General Electrical Terms Adapter Variations Cord Connectors Flanged Inlets Flanged Outlets Fluorescent Starters Lamp holders Plugs Receptacles Surge Suppression Switches Wall plates. The wiring diagrams that I have prepared will make it possible for you to successfully wire one or more 4-Way Switches. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! The electrical symbols will not only show where something is to be installed, but what type of device is being installed. If things were not grounded, people's bodies would more often be a path for current from a hot wire touching the metal to get to ground (without our having enough conductivity to trip a normal breaker!). AES/EBU. Electrical switch diagrams that are in color have an advantage over ones that are black and white only. The only term used to describe something that measures electricity, and don’t confuse this with gauge. Here then is a glossary of home electrical terms related to troubleshooting: An older term for the nominal voltage for lights and portable appliances in homes.