Wiring Diagrams
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by Dave Rongey
©2007-2012 Summary: Home electrical wiring diagrams are an important tool for installing and testing home electrical circuits. Wiring diagrams will also help you understand how electrical devices are wired and how various electrical devices and controls operate. |
Illustrated Wiring Diagrams for Home Electrical Projects |
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Wiring diagrams can be helpful in many ways, including illustrated wire colors, showing where different elements of your project go using electrical symbols, and showing what wire goes where. This is why a good electrical wiring diagram is important for wiring your home accurately and according to electrical codes.. Keep your wiring diagram nearby. You will want to refer to it often as you work on your project. Once the electrical project is completed the wiring diagram is useful for testing and troubleshooting the circuit. |
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Wiring Diagrams
When it comes to household electricity,
there is a lot more to consider than simply turning a switch On or Off.
- Some of the most common questions electricians receive involve switches.
- Once you understand the different types of switches and follow a good switch-wiring-diagram, you should be able to install a new switch in your home or repair existing problems with the ones you have.
Here are some of the more common switching configurations.
After absorbing the following information, you will be able to wire switches just as well as the pros
Electrical Wiring Diagrams
Featuring wiring diagrams for the most common electrical devices used in the home
- Wiring Diagrams Include:
- Wiring Diagrams for Switches
- Single Switch
- 3 Way Switch
- 4 Way Switch
- Dimmer Switches
- Wiring Diagrams for 120 Volt Outlets
- Wall Receptacle Outlet
- GFCI Outlet
- AFCI Outlet
- Switch Controlled Outlets
- Wiring Diagrams for 240 Volt Outlets
- Clothes Dryer Outlet
- Kitchen Range Outlet
Electrical Wire Colors |
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Electrical switch wiring diagrams that are in color
have an advantage over ones that are black and white only. *The individual wires on the diagram should be colored the same as the actual wires you will be using. Green or bare wire is the ground wire. White or off-white is neutral. The neutral wire carries power back to the service panel. Black indicates the hot wire. The hot wire carries power from the panel to the device you are wiring. Red blue, or other colors also indicate hot wires. |
*Important Note:
When wires or cables such as Romex are used with switching applications and as Switch Legs, the function of a colored wire may be different from what is noted here. The only way to positively identify wires used for any application is to purchase a good volt tester and understand how to use it . |
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| See more about the types of wire and what they are used for. Home Electrical Wire Electrical Testers |
Electrical Wiring Symbols |
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Home Electrical Wiring Diagrams |
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For example a surface ceiling light will be shown by one symbol, a recessed ceiling light will have a different symbol, and a surface fluorescent light will have another symbol. Each type of switch will have a different symbol and so will the various outlets. You will even find symbols showing the location of smoke detectors, your doorbell chime, and the thermostat. |
Home Electrical Switch Wiring Diagrams |
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Single Pole Electrical Switches A Single-Pole
Switch provides switching from one location only. “Single-Pole”
may sound simple, but there are different ways to wire a Single-Pole
Switch. The power can come from either the switch box or the fixture
box and a set of electrical switch wiring diagrams will explain each of
these scenarios to you clearly. |
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3-Way Electrical Switches3-Way Switches are used to control one or more fixtures from two different
locations. This is a common configuration in hallways and staircases.
There are many ways to wire a 3-Way Switch. The power can start
at a fixture or either of the two switches. Without a switch-wiring-diagram
it can be very easy to make a serious mistake that will cause the
circuit to malfunction and possibly become a hazard. |
4-Way Electrical SwitchesOne of the most complicated wiring configurations is a 4-Way Switch. These switches enable you to control one or more fixtures from three or more locations. It would be almost impossible to write the instructions in a way that you could simply read them and complete your project. However, a good wiring diagram will make it possible for you to successfully and safely tackle wiring 4-Way Switches. 4-way Switch Wiring Diagrams |
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Wiring for Dimmer Switches |
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A
wiring diagram will even take the mystery out of wiring a 3-Way Electrical Dimmer Switch A dimmer switch can be either a rotary or a sliding switch that lets you adjust the intensity of a light. Both are wired the same way. What a great way to enjoy softer light and a reduced energy bill! Wiring Diagrams for 3-way Dimmer Switches |
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Wiring Diagrams for Switches |
As
important as electrical wiring diagrams are to the
successful completion of your wiring project, safety and respect
for electricity are essential. Never work on live circuits.
Before you begin your project, identify the circuit you’re
working on and then turn off power to that circuit at the main panel.
Then confirm that the power is off with a voltage tester.
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| Switch wiring diagrams that explain the basic wiring for lighting control from a single switch location. |
3-Way Electrical Switches |
4-Way Switches |
More Wiring Diagrams: |
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