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Wiring Diagrams


wiring diagrams by ©2007-2012
Summary: Home electrical wiring diagrams are an important tool for installing and testing home electrical circuits and they 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
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 diagram is important for wiring your home accurately and according to electrical codes..


Keep your diagram nearby. You will want to refer to it often as you work on your project. Once the electrical project is completed the diagram will be useful for testing and troubleshooting the circuit.


Directory of Wiring Diagrams


Audio Introduction to Wiring Diagrams

Wiring Switches

Wiring Outlets

Light Switches

Outlets 110 Volts

  • Wiring a Wall Outlet
  • Switched Outlet Wiring
  • Wiring a Disposal Outlet
  • Wiring GFI Outlets

Fan Switches

  • Wiring Exhaust Fan Switch
  • Wiring Ceiling Fan Switch
  • Wiring a Disposal Outlet

Outlets 220 Volts

  • Wiring a Dryer Outlet
  • Wiring a Range Outlet
  • Wiring a Welder Outlet
 

House Wiring

Wiring Symbols

Residential Wiring Diagrams

  • House Wiring including:
  • Kitchen Wiring
  • Bathroom Wiring
  • Bedroom Wiring
  • Basement Wiring and more...

Electrical Symbols

  • Symbols for Outlets
  • Symbols for Switches
  • Symbols for Light Fixtures
 
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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 diagrams for the most common electrical devices used in the home

  • Diagrams for Wiring Switches
  1. Single Switch
  2. 3 Way Switch
  3. 4 Way Switch
  4. Dimmer Switches
  • Diagrams for Wiring 120 Volt Outlets
  1. Wall Receptacle Outlet
  2. GFCI Outlet
  3. AFCI Outlet
  4. Switch Controlled Outlets
  • Diagrams for Wiring 240 Volt Outlets
  1. Clothes Dryer Outlet
  2. Kitchen Range Outlet

Instructions


Electrical Wire Colors
Electrical switch 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 .
electrical wire colors
See more about the types of wire and what they are used for.
Home Electrical Wire
Electrical Testers

Electrical Wiring Symbols
 
When looking at any switch diagram, start by familiarizing yourself with the symbols that are being used.

The electrical symbols will not only show where something is to be installed, but what type of device is being installed. Make sure you understand the symbols on your diagram before beginning your project.

There should be a chart on your diagram showing what the different symbols being used represent, much like a legend on a map.
Home Improvements 





Audio: Introduction to Wiring Diagrams
 
   
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Home Wiring Diagrams and Blueprints
home wiring diagram
  • 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.

Proceed to Wiring Diagrams and Symbols

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Switch Wiring Diagrams


  • A single 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.

Proceed to the Single Pole Switch wiring diagrams.

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Single-Pole Switch Wiring Diagrams



Three-Way Switch Wiring Diagram

3-Way Switch Diagrams


  • 3-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.

Proceed to the 3-Way Switch Diagrams

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4-Way Electrical Switches


  • One 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 without these wiring diagrams.
  • The wiring diagrams that I have prepared will make it possible for you to successfully wire one or more 4-Way Switches.

Proceed to the 4-Way Switch Wiring Diagrams

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Four-Way Switch Wiring Diagram




Knob Dimmer Wiring Diagram

3-Way Dimmer Switch Diagram


  • 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!

Proceed to see How to Wire 3-Way Dimmer Switches

Top of Page		 Slide Dimmer Wiring Diagrams


Diagrams for Switches



Residential wiring diagrams for switches

As important as 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.
Electrical Voltage Testers

If at any time you feel unsure bout what you are doing, please call a licensed electrical contractor.


Single Pole Switches
Switch diagrams that explain electrical wiring which controls light fixtures or outlets from a single switch.

3-Way Switches
Once you see these diagrams you will understand how to wire 3-way switches.

3-Way Electrical Dimmer Switches
Take the mystery out of wiring a 3-way dimmer switch and enjoy softer light and a reduced energy bill when you use one of these wiring diagrams.

4-Way Switches
Did you know - you can have any number of 4-way switches installed on one light circuit? Once you see how these switches are wired you'll be amazed. As you will see, its just one more step up from the 3-way switch configuration.



110 volt outlet

110 Volt Outlets


  • 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. Wiring diagrams and instructions will assist you with these situations.
  • Switched outlets are very popular and typically found in bedrooms and living rooms where they are used to control floor lamps or table lamps. Existing outlets may be converted to provide the desired functionality for most any room. The key elements for these wiring scenarios are describer with wiring diagrams and instructions.
  • Kitchen garbage disposals are typically plugged into an outlet under the sink which is typically controlled by a countertop switch. the disposal outlet or switch may require replacing or a remodel project may require wiring to be installed for a new disposal outlet. Outlet diagrams instructions and diagrams will help with your project.
  • GFI Outlets or GFCI Outlets are required in areas of the home and often they may need to be replaced or an older home upgrade project will require installing GFCI protected outlets. The wiring of these devices can be tricky so I have devoted a section describing several methods for wiring GFCI Outlets and GFCI Receptacles.

Proceed to the section for Wiring 110 Volt Outlets

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220 Volt Outlets


  • Electric clothes dryers may have a 3-wire or 4-wire cord or 220 volt outlet configuration requiring special attention to the connections as found in the instructions and diagrams.
  • The kitchen electric range may also be found to have a 3-wire or 4-wire cord or 220 volt outlet which will require proper electrical connections and wiring as found in the diagrams and instructions.
  • Most Arc Welders require a dedicated electrical circuit and 220 volt outlet that is sized according to the specifications of the welder as described in further information.

Proceed to Wiring 220 Volt Outlets

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More Diagrams:

Wiring Electrical Outlets

110 Volt Outlets

220 Volt Outlets

Wiring Diagram Symbols

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 disposal-outlet-wiring-diagram
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Related Discussion:


related

3 Way Switch Help

Installing 3 Way Switch Wiring
Is it possible to install 3 way switches on knob and tube systems?

Dave's Reply: Kent, yes - 3-way switches can be installed on a knob and tube wired system as long as the appropriate wires to support 3-way switching have been installed. I encourage you to consider upgrading the electrical wiring when practical. Dave

Wiring with 3-Way Switches

I have can lights in an old house that the common wire is hot. The can lights are on a three way switch. How can i get my my common wire back?

Dave's Reply:
The common wire may be used for the three way switching, and this is typical, not that the common is switched, but that the "white wire" which looks like a common is used for switching. So in this case you cannot get back or use the "common" wire. It may be necessary to install new wiring to accomplish what you are trying to do.

The Basics for Wiring with Existing Switches

Can I add a switch off an existing switch that has a main power source? If I can, how can it be wired. I have a three wire to a three way switch and I am trying to pigtail off of that to add a switch for a light under a cabinet.

Kurt,
Maybe this will help you:

The Keys to Using Existing Switch Wiring:
Identify the location of the power source, which means both the Hot and the Neutral (and the ground of course).
Understand that switching is just a loop of the hot wire, regardless of the colors of the wires. Often white wires that are used for switching should be marked with black tape or a black marker but in a lot of cases they are not, so the purpose of the wires must be verified carefully with a voltage tester.

4 Romex Wires in One Ceiling Junction Box

I replaced a junction box in my kitchen ceiling. It has 4 Romex wires going into it. Which wires should be wired together and which ones should connect to a ceiling fan/light?
Alex, the connections for the individual wires will depend on what each cable is used for or connected to. Each cable and wire set will need to be tested to make this determination. Typically cables are connected to wall switches, other lights or outlets, and the power source. Once the wires have been identified then the proper connections will be understood.


Wiring for Recessed Lighting

I want to put recessed lighting in my living room. I currently have a light plugged into the outlet where the top plug of outlet is controlled by the wall switch and the bottom has constant power. For the wiring of the recessed lights (4-6 of them), am I able to connect the wiring to the top portion of the outlet or do I need to take it from the wall switch?

Yes Jordan,
The power source for the light fixtures may be attached as you have described as long as the circuit has the capacity for the additional load that will be placed on the existing outlet circuit.


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