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If you put the switch on the white wire instead of the black wire, it can create a potentially dangerous situation. The white wire is typically neutral, and switching it could interrupt the return path of electrical current, leading to unexpected behavior in the circuit. This can also pose a shock hazard, as the device may still be live on the black (hot) wire. It's important to always switch the hot wire to ensure safety.

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1mo ago

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Light switch has 4 wire colors red and white and green and black which is the hot wire?

You have a 3 way switch. Your black wire is the hot wire. Your green wire is the ground wire. Your red and white wires go to the light and other switch. You should have gotten a wiring diagram with your switch.


How do you wire a light and switch with the 2 wire old romex?

To wire a light and switch using 2-wire Romex, connect the black wire to the brass screw on the switch, the white wire to the light fixture, and the white wire to the silver screw on the switch. Make sure to cap the unused wire at both ends for safety. Be sure to turn off the power before starting and consult a professional if you are unsure.


How do you wire a series of recessed lights to a single switch when the power goes to the lights first?

If you already know how to put one fixture on a 3-way, just connect white-to-white and black-to-black from one light to the next. If you're changing from a single switch to the 3-way, the exact wiring will depend on whether the power comes from the breaker box to the switch or the existing fixture. I'll assume you're starting from scratch or have the power going to the fixture. You need #15 two-wire with ground and #15 three-wire with ground romex. Run two-wire from the breaker box to the first light fixture. Pull a another two-wire from this box to switch A and a three-wire between the switches. String two-wire from the first light to the second, second to third, etc. In the first box, connect white from source to the white fixture wire and the white going to the second box; black from source to the black to switch A; and the black fixture wire to both the white to switch A and the black to the next fixture. At each of the other 5 fixtures, connect all white to white and black to black (three pair in each box except the last one). At switch A, connect the white from the fixture to the common (center) connector and the black directly to the black going to switch B. The red and white wires going to switch B are connected to the two outside connectors of switch A. At switch B, the black goes to the common connector and the red and white to the outside connectors. At each box, connect all the bare wires (second ground) to each other and to the fixture or box. Now turn the power back on. If all the connectors are tight, power should follow the black wires from source past the fixture and switch A to switch B. From there it will go through one or the other of the travellers and, if switch A is in the same position as B, up the white switch leg to the fixtures, turn on all the lights and go back to ground.


Have 3 lights Power to light 1 Need to connect light 2 then light 3 then down to single pole switch How do you wire?

You would wire the switch to the first light. Code says to break the black or power side of the circuit. Connect the white to the light. Take the black down to the switch on the black wire and back to the light on the white. This is a line of wire from the light to the switch. From the first light, take the white and the return white from the switch to the second with another run of wire. This will be regular black white with ground. White to white and at the first light the return line from the switch is white but hook to the black to the second light. Second light to third just continues the two wires. Black to black, white to white. I think this is clear enough to follow. If not, ask again.


What is the red wire and what wire does it go with when there are three wires black red and white?

Red, white, and black are standard for a three-way switch (you have two switches that control the same fixture). You should also have a ground wire (copper, unsheathed). The black and red are negative, while the white is positive. It works pretty simply. When the switch is up, the black and white are linked, creating a circuit. When it is down, the red and white are linked. If both switches agree (both are red/white or both are black/white), then the circuit is completed and power flows.

Related Questions

Light switch has 4 wire colors red and white and green and black which is the hot wire?

You have a 3 way switch. Your black wire is the hot wire. Your green wire is the ground wire. Your red and white wires go to the light and other switch. You should have gotten a wiring diagram with your switch.


How do you wire a light and switch with the 2 wire old romex?

To wire a light and switch using 2-wire Romex, connect the black wire to the brass screw on the switch, the white wire to the light fixture, and the white wire to the silver screw on the switch. Make sure to cap the unused wire at both ends for safety. Be sure to turn off the power before starting and consult a professional if you are unsure.


How do you hook up a light switch?

To hook up a light switch, first turn off the power to the circuit. Then, connect the black wire from the switch to the black wire from the power source, and the white wire to the white wire. Finally, connect the ground wire to the green screw on the switch. Secure the switch in place and turn the power back on to test the connection.


How do I wire a light switch to a light?

To wire a light switch to a light, first turn off the power to the circuit. Connect the black wire from the switch to the black wire from the light. Connect the white wire from the switch to the white wire from the light. Finally, connect the ground wire from the switch to the ground wire from the light. Secure all connections with wire nuts and cover with electrical tape. Turn the power back on and test the switch to ensure it is working properly.


When at a 2 pole light switch and the wire colors shown are black white and green which is the hot wire and which is the common?

the black wire is the hot wire


How do you wire a single light switch?

To wire a single light switch, first turn off the power to the circuit. Remove the cover plate and switch from the electrical box. Connect the black wire from the power source to the black wire on the switch, and the white wire to the white wire. Connect the ground wire to the green screw on the switch. Secure the switch back into the electrical box, replace the cover plate, and turn the power back on to test the switch.


How do you wire a series of recessed lights to a single switch when the power goes to the lights first?

If you already know how to put one fixture on a 3-way, just connect white-to-white and black-to-black from one light to the next. If you're changing from a single switch to the 3-way, the exact wiring will depend on whether the power comes from the breaker box to the switch or the existing fixture. I'll assume you're starting from scratch or have the power going to the fixture. You need #15 two-wire with ground and #15 three-wire with ground romex. Run two-wire from the breaker box to the first light fixture. Pull a another two-wire from this box to switch A and a three-wire between the switches. String two-wire from the first light to the second, second to third, etc. In the first box, connect white from source to the white fixture wire and the white going to the second box; black from source to the black to switch A; and the black fixture wire to both the white to switch A and the black to the next fixture. At each of the other 5 fixtures, connect all white to white and black to black (three pair in each box except the last one). At switch A, connect the white from the fixture to the common (center) connector and the black directly to the black going to switch B. The red and white wires going to switch B are connected to the two outside connectors of switch A. At switch B, the black goes to the common connector and the red and white to the outside connectors. At each box, connect all the bare wires (second ground) to each other and to the fixture or box. Now turn the power back on. If all the connectors are tight, power should follow the black wires from source past the fixture and switch A to switch B. From there it will go through one or the other of the travellers and, if switch A is in the same position as B, up the white switch leg to the fixtures, turn on all the lights and go back to ground.


How to wire a light switch properly?

To wire a light switch properly, first turn off the power to the circuit. Then, connect the black wire from the power source to the black wire on the switch. Next, connect the white wire from the power source to the white wire on the switch. Finally, connect the ground wire to the green screw on the switch. Make sure all connections are secure before turning the power back on.


How do you wire an outlet switch combo?

To wire an outlet switch combo, first turn off the power to the circuit. Connect the black wire to the brass screw on the switch, the white wire to the silver screw, and the ground wire to the green screw. Then, connect the black wire from the outlet to the brass screw on the switch, the white wire to the silver screw, and the ground wire to the green screw. Finally, connect the remaining black and white wires to the corresponding screws on the outlet. Make sure to secure all connections and test the switch and outlet before turning the power back on.


How do you wire up a light switch in a home electrical system?

To wire up a light switch in a home electrical system, you need to first turn off the power to the circuit. Then, connect the black wire from the power source to the black wire on the switch, and the white wire from the power source to the white wire on the switch. Finally, connect the black wire from the light fixture to the other terminal on the switch. Make sure to secure all connections properly and test the switch before turning the power back on.


Which electrical wire to cut black or white?

Black is hot and white is neutral. If you are switching something you switch the black, so that is what you would cut.


How do you wire up a light switch?

To wire up a light switch, you need to turn off the power, remove the old switch, connect the wires to the new switch (usually black to black, white to white, and ground to ground), and then secure the switch in place. Finally, turn the power back on to test the switch.