Light Switch Wiring Help

[sprigfan]

Originally Posted by John A.

What happens if your house is wired so that the hot goes to the lights themselves and the switches are there to break the ground/nuetral circuit?

I've seen it done numerous times. Especially in older houses because it takes less wire that way.

Just looking at the color of a wire, does not mean that the person who did it knew what they were doing in the first place, nor that the wiring is correctly done. That what volt/ohm meters are for.

This is coming from someone who got their electrical certifications close to twenty years ago.

This thread could have disaster all over it.

Can't a voltage tester confirm the wiring is correct?

[wisekise]

Originally Posted by db_xd

"dying practice" is that a pun?

Bravo, you win the interwebs today!

[db_xd]

Thanks, I think. Just that house wiring advice on a gun forum scares me.

[Jimmycrackcorn]

Originally Posted by db_xd

Thanks, I think. Just that house wiring advice on a gun forum scares me.

That's what I do for a living.

Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

[John A.]

Originally Posted by sprigfan

Can't a voltage tester confirm the wiring is correct?

A voltage tester pen will only show you which wire is "hot".

An volt/ohm meter (while reading ohms/resistance) can effectively tell you which wire goes to what if you know how to use it.

The downside to that is that it takes a lot of time to physically "ground" each wire you're tracing while the power is off.

[wisekise]

Originally Posted by Jimmycrackcorn

That's what I do for a living.

Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Me as well.

Db_xd - or anyone for that matter, if you are unsure about working with electric, please let a professional do it. Many of my service calls are from wives whos husbands swear "I put the wires back just like I found them" lol

[db_xd]

I did not say I was uncomfortable with doing electrical work.

[wisekise]

Originally Posted by db_xd

I did not say I was uncomfortable with doing electrical work.

no disrespect intended, i just hear/see the result of mistakes made with electricity all the time. that was merely a disclaimer for my wiring advice on a gun forum...helps me sleep better.