One of the main reasons that your light switch has two black wires is that one black wire supplies the current, and the other one receives the current. One black wire is attached to the line side of the new outlet from the supply side and the other one is attached to the load part of the outlet.
Full Answer
What if there are two black wires and no white?
The question posted said there was NO white wire yet some responses missed that most important point. Some UL approved fixtures in CURRENT lamps have 2 black wires, no white, or in this case 2 gold wires. The person who solved the problem noted a difference even if both wires are the same color.
Which wire is neutral when both wires are black?
The black wire is the "hot" wire, which carries the electricity from the breaker panel into the switch or light source. The white wire is the "neutral" wire, which takes any unused electricity and current and sends them back to the breaker panel.
How to install light switch with only 2 wires?
Traditional Switch
- Mechanical switches
- 2-wire (Live in, Live out)
- Physically cut off the live to break the power
Which wire is Hot, Black or white?
The black wire is hot. The white wire goes by many names that all mean the same thing: neutral, common, or return. Power flows from the box to the outlet through the black wire and back to the box through the white one. The neutral wire can also be gray.
Why does my light fixture have 2 black wires?
If you end up with a fixture with two black wires, you can examine the texture first. Some fixtures with black wires have one smooth wire and one that has a ribbed texture. If this is the case, the ribbed wire is neutral and connects to the white wire in the ceiling.
Which wire is positive if both wires are black?
If the multi-colored wire is black and red, the black wire is the negative wire, while the red one is positive. If both wires are black but one has a white stripe, the striped wire is negative, while the plain black wire is positive. Look in the owner manual to determine which wires are negative in a car.
Can you have 2 black wires together?
This is the typical way to connect a switch. The 2 blacks connected are "power in, power out" to the next switch in the circuit. The pig-tail to the dimmer connected to the two blacks is also typical.
What do 2 black wires mean?
There are often more than an expected two wires in an outlet box: two black wires, two white wires, green wires and maybe some others. This is completely normal and is usually because the outlet is in the middle of a series circuit, accepting power from another source and sending it on.
Which wire is hot when both are same color?
In most modern fixtures the neutral wire will be white and the hot wire is red or black. In some types of fixtures, both wires will be the same color. In this case, the neutral wire is always identified by some means. In some cases, there will be small writing on the wiring case.
What happens if you mix up hot and neutral wires?
This happens when the hot and neutral wires get flipped around at an outlet, or upstream from an outlet. Reversed polarity creates a potential shock hazard, but it's usually an easy repair. Any $5 electrical tester will alert you to this condition, assuming you have a properly grounded three-prong outlet.
How do I wire a light switch with two black wires?
Connect the top screw to the wire that feeds to the light. Connect the bottom screw to the hot wire. When you turn the power back on, and if you want to swap the direction of the switch (as in press down to turn off, or turn on), turn off the power and switch the two black wires.
Why does my ceiling fan have 2 black wires?
That is, when two wires are connected, the connection must be accessible, (not behind drywall) and in a properly rated box. The blacks are always hot, and it carries on to another outlet or switch in your home. If you want your ceiling fan and light to be controlled by the pull chains, then it's simple.
Why are there two hot and two neutral wires?
The reason for multiple hot/neutral wires for one outlet is that the outlets are daisy-chained together. This means hot/neutral is only coming from one of the wires and it is being sent to the other wire.
How do you wire a light fixture with two sets of wires?
Connect the lead wires from the fixture to the black hot wire in the electrical box by twisting a wire connector to the ends of the lead and hot wires. Repeat these connections with the two white neutral wires from the light fixture and the white neutral wire in the light fixture box.
How do you hook up a 2 wire light fixture?
0:462:53We're going to bend the ends. And then on the light kit. We have our brass and our silver the whiteMoreWe're going to bend the ends. And then on the light kit. We have our brass and our silver the white wire goes to the silver. And the black wire goes to the brass.
Why are there 2 sets of wires in one outlet?
When an outlet receptacle falls in the middle of a circuit run rather than at the end, there are generally five wires in the outlet box. Two cables are hot wires—one bringing power in, the other carrying it onward to the next receptacle. Two cables are neutral and serve the same function.
Understanding Light Fixture Wire Colors
Normally, light fixtures feature different color wires that match the wires in the electrical box in the ceiling. This makes replacing an existing fixture with a new one reasonably easy–until you realize your fixture has two black wires.
Wiring A Light Fixture With Two Black Wires
If both black wires are smooth, or you just want to make doubly sure (good practice), you can test the fixture. This is a good idea before going through the trouble of replacing the fixture and installing it completely. You don’t want to get the whole project done only to learn you need to undo it to switch the wires.
When Should You Call An Electrician?
Normally, when installing a simple light fixture on one light switch, it’s pretty straightforward. But, sometimes, it can prove to be more difficult than first expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not including the price of the fixture, you could pay between $75 and $115 for an electrician to swap out a light fixture. This is as long as there are no unexpected problems or issues. To install a new light fixture with electrical, it could cost closer to $300 to $400.
Why do light switches have 2 black wires?
Just so, why does light switch have 2 black wires? The bare or green-wrapped ground wires serve as a backup to divert the power safely away in case of an electrical fault. In most cases, two black wires will be attached to the switch's two terminal screws.
What does the black wire mean on a light switch?
Black means hot, white signifies neutral, and green indicates ground. However, if you need to rewire a light switch or a plug socket, you may occasionally come across two black wires. It's essential that you determine which black wire is hot before proceeding. Click to see full answer.
What is the line on a switch?
If your switch has a “LINE” marking, the always hot wire goes to this. The other connection will be “LOAD” where the load (ie light fixture) is wired. The load wire may have red electrical tape on it to differentiate.
Pliers
You will need the pliers to secure the wire connections. This action prevents the failure of the fixture and fire hazard. Twist the wires to make the connections tight. In addition, this tool also allows the formation of neat connections when you cut the wires and eliminate the protruded parts.
Screwdriver
Any installation involving wires needs a screwdriver, the main function of which is to tighten the screws and hold them in their positions. Like pliers, this material is necessary for making better connections that are long-lasting. Some screwdrivers come with an interchangeable tip or head, making them versatile for both smaller and larger screws.
Voltage Tester
Several good-quality non-contact voltage testers are available in the market. Their purpose is to test that the device is not drawing any voltage during its adjustment and fitting process. Moreover, they also facilitate providing information about the neutral and hot wires.
Multimeter and Voltmeter
The function of both the voltmeter and multimeter is to analyze the circuits and the voltage. The information is displayed on a screen, after which a person can fix the product. A multimeter provides the data regarding various characteristics, including resistance, polarity, and voltage.
Wire Nuts
You will need the wire nuts or twist-on-connectors for securing the electric connections through which less voltage is flowing. They allow you to fasten these connections that provide insulation. Other terms for this tool are thimble connectors and cone connectors. Generally, orange nuts are common when dealing with light or fan fixtures.
Striper
As their name suggests, the strippers are needed to remove the wire sheaths. It will expose the copper inside to form connections with other wires. The blades on these tools make it convenient to remove the skin of cables. They are also beneficial for repairing the cables as well as replacing them.
Wiring Procedure
Make sure to follow the guidelines for doing this task safely. I have mentioned some significant pointers at the end of this article to help you avoid any kind of mishap. While wiring, if you feel like getting assistance from an electrician, do not hesitate to contact him. Since this is your first time, I recommend that you get help.
What is the black wire on a switch leg?
That is what its called when the black wire up at the light fixture is interrupted and a pair of wires called a Switch Leg goes down to a wall switch. One wire goes in the top of the switch, the other into the bottom.
How many wires does a light fixture have?
If you have a simple lighting fixture, it probably has three wires; black, white, and green. Its difficult to answer your question because there is not enough detail. Purchase a small voltage tester and mesaure on the 240VAC scale and see if you have 120 volts.
How to tell which wires are on a wall?
To tell which one you have, simply use a voltage tester acrossed each pair of black/white wires or check the black wires with a tick tracer. If you get voltage from both pairs, turn the wall switch off and check again. If you still have voltage at both pairs you have scenario #1. If this is the case (very unlikely), pick one set of wires and wire it according to the instruction manual. Cap the other pair of wires off.
How to check if a light switch is working?
Ok, so you have a light switch in a box: Your safest way is to use an ohm meter or continuity meter: 1 switch the light on to make sure the bulb is good. 2 2. switch off the breaker to de-energize the circuit. You verify this by seeing that the light is now off. Now it is safe to pull the switch out of the box. (If you have a voltmeter or non-contact detector you can check that none of the exposed wires have voltage). 3 3. Switch the switch to the off position, and use the continuity tester to see which wire is connected to ground. That one is the “load” —the one that goes to the light bulb. If there i
How to tell if a wire is energized?
Normally if you have just two black wires, then one is painted or taped to color it. The natural black wire should be the hot wire. Test it with a multimeter. A test light or non-contact tester can tell you that a wire is not energized, but if it fails it will not tell you that the wire could kill you. Non-contact testers can tell if a wire is energized but never use them when your life is at stake. Yes, I as a professional did use them a fair amount, but I always knew what results I was expecting and how to use them safely.
What type of breaker is used for hot water heaters?
This requires wiring to a 240 volt circuit breaker (a “two-pole” breaker) in the circuit breaker panel - see the photo below.
What happens if a breaker is off?
If the system is off (breaker in off or tripped position) then nothing will happen until you turn the power back on. The breaker will instantly trip as soon as you attempt to turn it on.
How to test a black wire on a multimeter?
Place the prong of the multimeter's red wire on the bare metal on the end of one of the black wires. Don't get confused about using the red wire from the multimeter to test a hot black wire. The positive wire on a multimeter is red, and the black wire is negative.
What does it mean when a wire is hot and the other is not?
You will get a reading if one wire is hot and the other isn’t. However, if both wires are hot, the reading will be zero. The United States has strict codes relating to home wiring, including clearly defined colors on the outer casing of the wires. Black means hot, white signifies neutral, and green indicates ground.
How to read a multimeter?
Place the prong of the multimeter's black wire on the bare metal on the end of a white wire, then read the meter. If you get a reading, the black wire is hot; if you don't, the black wire isn't hot.
Can you rewire a light switch with two black wires?
However, if you need to rewire a light switch or a plug socket, you may occasionally come across two black wires. It's essential that you determine which black wire is hot before proceeding. The easiest and safest way is to use a multimeter to test for current. Advertisement.
What is the wire on the left smart switch?
To help you lose your mind less in that box, look at the wire that attaches to the left smart switch's red wire; I would tag that with red tape. The right wire on the right switch, I would tag that with blue tape. They are both switched-hots going to a light or fan.
Can you put a dimmer on a fan motor?
As the first post says. You wont be putting a dimmer on a fan motor or switched outlet.
What is the black wire on a syringe?
One wire (the unmarked black wire) is ribbed. The other (marked with text) is smooth.
Where does ribbed wire go in a ceiling?
Ribbed wire goes to the white in the ceiling, smooth to black.