Welcome to the Colorado AR-15 Shooters Club Discussion Forums.
Where are all the electrical guys?
So I want to put a timer on my front porch lite.. so I go and buy one.. this can't be that difficult right?
Well the timer has 5 wires coming out of the back of it, the rocker switch I'm replacing has 2 wires..that's right two. They both look the same, same black wire.. Wtf...
In Durango.......
One wiree side is the hot coming to the switch, the other is the switched leg going to the light.
To tell the difference, lick your thumb & forefinger, then quickly pinch one wire, then the next.
you will quickly know which is which......
Last edited by SideShow Bob; 09-14-2015 at 18:07.
My T.P. wheeling and dealing feedback is here.
Opinions are like assholes, everybody has one, and it stinks more than mine.
Yo Homie, That my chainsaw ?
Pati, improbe et vince
What Bob said is correct, as far as on a switch it is the same wire. On a switch you are just interrupting the power wire, off cuts the connection, and on makes the connection to complete the circuit. Timer should have come with instructions and you may not use every wire.
"There are no finger prints under water."
Deleted
Last edited by Danimal; 02-27-2016 at 10:10.
You timer probably needs a neutral which may not be in the box. It is also likely able to be used as a three way switch. That would explain all the wires.
That would not be to code.Originally Posted by newracer
the timer most likely has wires for:
1. Hot - most likely black.
2. Neutral - white.
3. Ground - green.
4. Switched leg - red or another color other than the previously mentioned.
Last edited by SideShow Bob; 09-14-2015 at 20:35.
My T.P. wheeling and dealing feedback is here.
Opinions are like assholes, everybody has one, and it stinks more than mine.
Yo Homie, That my chainsaw ?
Pati, improbe et vince
How long has that been code though?
The reason why so many wires is it is probably compatible with either single pole or 3 way installations and needs a neutral and ground. Best bet is check the destruction's. If you have two black wires you probably have a neutral there which is good. PM me if you need a hand.
It's recent (last code change or the one before it) and if you could fish it in later you don't have to do it
How recent something is code really isn't relevant to me.. if you're making a change, it should comply to current code (UNLESS the site infrastructure prevents it)
It's always good practice to have a separate ground & neutral in every box.. in the past, one of those was allowed (depending on jurisdiction)
the neutral would not be wired to the switch in this situation, only the "hot" wires..
The ground sould be wired to the switch (if it's a modern switch). look for a leg with a green screw on it... if not, then you could pay $1-2 or so for a new switch. (they are cheap)
If the junction box is metallic, then the ground would be tied to the box as well.. many plastic boxes will have a common ground point (not the same as a neutral point)
I just re-read and understand what you're saying better..
the switch you are replacing has 2 wires the same color (should be black).. one is hot from the breaker, other is the hot towards the light.
on the timer, one will likely be black (hot to the breaker) and red (hot towards the light).. you need to determine which is which with a meter. (in order to meet code)
Last edited by 68Charger; 09-14-2015 at 22:00.
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ, we are the III%, CIP2, and some other catchphrase meant to aggravate progreSSives who are hell bent on taking rights away...
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote