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Standard 115 extension cords have three wires but sometimes the ground is the only wire that is color coded. If you cut off the plug, you can lose a sense of which wire is NEUTRAL (white) and which is HOT (black). Its easy if you THINK. Look at the plug as and a receptacle as if you were going to push it in. The ground wire (green) is on the bottom. The ribbed side is on the left of the plug. If you look at a receptacle, you will see that side is NEUTRAL. The smooth wire side is on the right of the plug and would connect to the BLACK side of the receptacle. Got it? Most 3-wire cords use color coding. Most 2-wire cords use the "ribbed" method. The RIBBED side is supposed to be the "identified wire" which is the neutral. Be careful with thinking "right" or "left" because some 3-wire receptacles are installed horizontally or with the ground up. Further, don't assume the ribbed side is neutral on an existing installation unless you test and confirm it.
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What do the ribs on one side of an extension cord wire mean?
It allows you to identify one of the two conductors by feel alone.
Should neutral wire of lamp be connected to the 3amp or the 6 amp side of a canopy switch?
You should never switch the neutral wire. The neutral of the appliance should be connected directly to the neutral wire leading to the service panel neutral bar.
Does the neutral wire go on the silver screw when wiring switches or outlets?
No, the switch just breaks the hot side of the circuit. The incoming hot wire should be connected to the top screw and the load side of the switch should be connected to the bottom screw. The neutral wire is usually connected together with a wire nut and pushed to the back of the switch box.
Which wire on an ac cable Is the neutral the one with or without writing?
On a lamp cord or two wire extension cord the writing is on the neutral side. Double check this by tracing the wire down to the cord end. You should find the neutral wire connected to the wider blade, of the two blades, of the plug cap
How do you know what wire is ground on 200 amp service?
On a 200 amp or any size service the ground wire is easily identified. Look in the distribution panel for the neutral bus bar. This is where the service neutral (white wire) is connected to the distribution panel. There you will see a bare copper wire connected to the same neutral bar. This is the ground wire that is connected to the ground rods out side of the house.
Which side of the White neutral wire do you connect the Black power wire?
The neutral wire and power wire are never connected together.
What do the ribs on one side of an extension cord wire mean?
It allows you to identify one of the two conductors by feel alone.
What does an open neutral mean?
Typical home wiring will have one hot wire, one neutral wire, and one ground wire per circuit. An open neutral would indicate that the neutral wire, usually white wire, is broken.
Should neutral wire of lamp be connected to the 3amp or the 6 amp side of a canopy switch?
You should never switch the neutral wire. The neutral of the appliance should be connected directly to the neutral wire leading to the service panel neutral bar.
Does the neutral wire go on the silver screw when wiring switches or outlets?
No, the switch just breaks the hot side of the circuit. The incoming hot wire should be connected to the top screw and the load side of the switch should be connected to the bottom screw. The neutral wire is usually connected together with a wire nut and pushed to the back of the switch box.
Where is the neutral safety switch on a 1992 dodge Dakota truck?
The neutral safety switch is on the side of the transmission. It screws into the side and has a small three wire plug.
Which wire on an ac cable Is the neutral the one with or without writing?
On a lamp cord or two wire extension cord the writing is on the neutral side. Double check this by tracing the wire down to the cord end. You should find the neutral wire connected to the wider blade, of the two blades, of the plug cap
What is a floating neutral wire?
a loose connection of a neutral wire
Can a burnt out wire cause you to lose a neutral connection?
Not usually. When a wire burns and grounds out the breaker will trip. Wire burns are usually centered around terminal connections points. If a connection becomes loose heat will be produced and this heating action is what burn the insulation on the wire. The neutral wire on the other hand is not switched so it is less likely to have terminal connection points that can become loose. In a circuit the neutral wire is connected under a wire nut with other neutral extensions in the circuit and then connected to the neutral buss in the distribution panel. There is very little to go wrong on the neutral return side of the load wire.
Does the ribbed wire connect to the positive or negative on a light fixture?
On a molded 2- or 3-wire line cord the ribbed conductor is the neutral conductor. On a polarized 2-prong plug it will be connected to the wider blade. On some line cords the neutral conductor may have a white stripe instead of ribs.
Clear wiring which one will be hot?
Even though it is a clear wire, there will be a tracer of raised or indented rib on the wire to identify the neutral. You may have to run your thumbnail around the wire to feel it rather that see it. This ribbed identified wire will be the neutral leaving the other wire to be connected to the hot side of the circuit.
What does flashing overdrive light mean in a 2001 F-350?
unplug 9-wire connector for neutral safety switch on side of trans, and look for broken or corroded terminals
