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Because the white wire on a 120 volt circuit is the neutral wire that is connected to the silver screw on outlets and switches. It is connected to the neutral bar in the service panel.

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How are you losing volts by slicing a wire with 120v the going to 50v?

The voltage is lost at the slice.


Can you get a shock from a white wire?

YES the white wire can shock. There are a few reasons why it might: 1) the white wire is actually connected to a switch. When the installer connects the white wire from the switch to the light, the National Electric Code requires the white wire to be "hot", and to be marked to indicate that it is hot. Sometimes this doesn't happen. The problem comes later when Joe homeowner replaces the light fixture. He sees the white wire with a black mark or maybe not, and connects the white wire to all of the other white wires. When the switch is turned on, the black wire that he placed on the other side of the switch connects to the white wire and trips the breaker. When Mr. Homeowner checks it out, touching the white wire gives him a shock. 2) The white wire returns the current to the source of the circuit. When the white wire is shared with two circuits, It returns the current from both circuits to the panel. When someone (even a professional) turns off only one of the circuit breakers to these circuits, the white wire still carries the current from the second LIVE circuit. If the person is replacing a receptacle withonly one of these circuit breakersoff, he or she could touch the white wire (called an open neutral) and get a shock from the returning current from the second circuit.


Why don't you need a white wire when wiring a 240v a c unit?

White wire is usually used as a neutral conductor and a 240v ac unit has no neutral. Each leg of the 240 volts is a "hot" leg However, very often a 12/2 or 14/2 NM cable is used to power small window ac units using 240v. In this case one of the conductors is white, but is not a neutral. It is good practice to mark the white wire with black tape so it is readily identified as a hot wire.


Should grooved wire be connected to white wire?

If you are referring to lamp cord type wire where both wires are brown then yes, connect the wire with the groves to the white neutral and the smooth wire to the black hot wire.


Is number 10 wire good for a 20 amp circuit that is 250 feet?

Assuming you are working with 120v, you need #4 AWG copper conductors.

Related Questions

On a 220 volt circuit where the white wire is common how many volts would the red wire be?

3 OR 4 . you only need 2 wires for 220, 1 phase is 120v between 2 of them its 220v . you also should have a ground for the third wire ,and the newer stuff requires a neutral or white wire for the 4th wire. hope i helped , D


Which is the ground wire and which carries 120V on an old 240V welder that needs a new plug at the end of the power cord if the wire colors under the outer insulation are white green and black?

If you only have 3 wires you don't have the fourth wire for 120V. Since this is a 240V only device it doesn't need it. Black and white are your hots and green is ground.As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.


How do you wire a 120v A base emter for 120v?

To wire a 120V A base emitter for 120V, you would typically connect the emitter to the ground, the base to the input voltage source (120V), and the collector to the load. Ensure you follow proper safety precautions and consult the specific datasheet for the A base emitter you are using for correct wiring instructions.


I have 240V 3 wire twistlock plug and want to wire it so I have 120V outlet?

Don't!


Which color wire is normally not on a 120v system in an apartment?

Black


What size wire is required for 120v 5amp 250ft?

Use AWG #10 wire on a 20 amp breaker.


What wire number in a 120v system L2?

In a 120V system, the wire number for L2 would typically be black (or red, blue, or another color designated for a hot wire). However, it is important to consult local electrical codes and standards to ensure compliance and safety.


You want to wire a switch to a 120V 1440W Popcorn Popper Plug is not polarized plus - which lead do you wire switch to?

Wire the switch to the hot/black lead.


Could 12 gauge wire is used on a 20 amp circuit at 120V?

Yes.


How are you losing volts by slicing a wire with 120v the going to 50v?

The voltage is lost at the slice.


How do you hook up a 3 wire water herter to 4 wire circut?

4 wire household wiring is black, red, (hot wires) white (neutral) and bare or green (ground wire). You say 3 wires. Is it 120v or 240v. If its 240v which is more common just use the two hots and the ground and cap off the neutral wire.


Which wires go where when putting a power cord on a 120V compressor motor?

Connect the green wire to the ground terminal, the white wire to the neutral terminal, and the black wire to the hot terminal on the compressor motor. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety guidelines when wiring the power cord to the motor. If in doubt, seek the assistance of a qualified electrician.