FAQs on how to wire up an electrical receptacle:

Questions & answers on how to wire up an electrical receptacle or "outlet" or "wall plug".

This article series shows the basic connections for the black, white neutral or grounded conductor), and ground wire when hooking up an electrical receptacle (wall plug or "outlet").

We describe how to wire an electrical receptacle by making the right connections between individual electrical wires and the proper screw or clamp connectors on the electrical receptacle device itself.

Electrical Wiring Connections for Installing an Electrical Receptacle

These questions & answers about electrical receptacle wiring connections were posted originally at ELECTRICAL OUTLET, HOW TO ADD & WIRE. You will want to see the procedures and wiring details given there.

Watch out: miswired electrical receptacles are dangerous. Electrical wiring should be performed by a licensed, trained electrician and should comply with the National Electrical Code and local regulations. This article series describes how to choose, locate, and wire an electrical receptacle in a home.

[Click to enlarge any image]

Watch out: Electrical components in a building can easily cause an electrical shock, burn, or even death. 

Even when a hot line switch is off, one terminal on the switch is still connected to the power source. Before doing any work on the switch, the power source must be turned off by setting a circuit breaker to OFF or removing a fuse.

On 2018-02-03 by (mod) -

This sounds like mis-wiring or reversed polarity.

IF your receptacle has not had a tab broken away on each side, the two screws on each side are "common" electrically, connected by a brass strip.

The two silver screws get the white neutral wires

The two brass colored screws get the two black hot wires.

Why two wires on each side:

Typically of the two black wires one will be "hot" or live - the incoming power, and the other is the hot wire being used to power a device that is downstream from the receptacle you're seeing.

The white wire paired with the incoming hot black is the incoming neutral.

Watch out: doing electrical wiring if you are not trained and qualified risks fire, shock, death.

On 2018-02-03 by Brad Connot

Went to change a 3-2 prong outlet and the white "in" wire and black "out" wire is connected on same side. Same with the other side......can't seem to find why this works

On 2017-12-28 by Benjamin

Thank you for the information about the raised lug to close a loop. I was wondering about the hook's purpose.

On 2017-08-05 by Jesus Trevino

On my last comment I meant a 20amp breaker

I'm wiring a 32ft storage building and putting multiple outlets I have the connected and only get the top plug working on the first receptacle what do I have wrong is it because I have them connected to a 29amp single breaker

On 2017-07-10 by Anonymous

Im trien to replace my outlets in a trailer i have the new outlets that have 2 screws on each side and the old outlets and wires coming out are 3 black and 3 white, what do i do with the third black and white wires?

On 2017-06-04 by (mod) - how to wire a outlet with only a red and black wire no ground wire or white wire

If both of those wires are carrying live voltage, I suspect that there was a 220 volt device or receptacle at that location.

Without a neutral wire and a ground wire I don't think you can make a safe receptacle there. So you need someone who's trained to use a voltage meter to test the wires and to determine exactly how they are being used before you try to connect anything.

Watch out, where there is live voltage there's risk of electrocution, shock, death

On 2017-06-03 by raygannon99

I need to know how to wire a outlet with only a red and black wire no ground wire or white wire

On 2017-06-03 by Ray

My outlet has 2 wires a red and black one what do I do

On 2017-02-27 by (mod) -

Anon:

You'll need to review the wiring diagram for your Tandberg reel to reel tape recorder/player; I can't bet your life or a fire on a wild guess.

On 2017-02-27 by Anonymous

I have a tandberg 4 track reel to reel with only two white wires to plug which goes in the Live?

On 2017-02-18 by (mod) -

Sounds like a wiring error or loose connections. I suspect the box is over-crowded and when you push wires back into the wall something is coming disconnected.

On 2017-02-16 by steve

plug in quit working for frig - -replaced receptacle still wont work- 2 blackwires are hot when grounded- -2white wires are neutral-- -yet when I testfront of receptacle or plug in frig it doesn't work? ????

On 2018-11-08 by (mod) - . It's not required to daisy chain receptacles

Yes, absolutely. It's not required to daisy chain receptacles and in some areas people avoid that practice in order to improve circuit reliability.

When you daisy chain receptacles a failure in any receptacle kills everybody Downstream.

What I would do would be to use Twist on connectors in the larger box to feed the receptacle in the Box the wire going up to the new receptacle and to feed the wires going to the downstream receptacle but if you can save a pair of connectors by using the 4 terminals on the receptacle in the first box that's probably worth doing.

On 2018-11-08 by MJA

Thanks for the feedback! Yes, I full intend on increasing the box size to conform to code. I assume that the second approach I mentioned is good then.

On 2018-11-08 by (mod) -

MJ

Physically it's simple and practical to run 14/3 wire (or on a 20A circuit 12/3) from the incoming hot wires at a nearby receptacle to the new one, using twist -on connectors if there are not enough free connector screws on the receptacle itself,.

But watch out: check the number of wires in the electrical box with the box cubic inches: you may need to use a larger box or add a sidecar to get enough space.

Watch out: if you're not trained and familiar with proper and safe electrical work you should avoid doing it - making a mistake can shock, or kill someone or burn down the house.

On 2018-11-07 by MJA - how to add a receptacle: do I need to daisy-chain it?

I have a 15A circuit with daisy chained receptacles on it. I'd like to add one receptacle (higher up the wall) in the middle of the circuit for a TV.

There is an existing receptacle already between the two wall studs where I'd like to put the new one.

My question is: as it is daisy chained, do I need to insert this new one in the daisy chain by running one cable up and the other back down to link up with the originally downstream receptacle (in which case, providing by device box is ensured to be big enough, I assume I would simply pig tail the downstream receptacle wires to the one coming back from the new receptacle).

Otherwise, I was wondering if I could set this one receptacle wired in parallel to the existing one, in which case I'd only have to run one cable up to the new one and add some wiring and pig tails in the existing receptacle. Thanks for any info!!

On 2018-10-31

by Anonymous

how to locate where to put hole in wall.

On 2017-10-03 by Agatha

please how do I repair this wall plug

On 2017-08-29 by (mod) -

That sounds right, but of course I cannot see exactly what you are working on.

Beware of fatal electrical shock hazards when working on electrical wiring.

On 2017-08-29 by James

I'm replacing a failing two-prong outlet with a new three-prong outlet. The electrical box (properly grounded to the panel) has two wires in the bottom coming from the panel, and two wires going out the top up to the ceiling light. The old outlet only had one hot screw and one neutral screw. Can I just connect the two hots to the two hot screws, and the two neutrals to the two neutral screws?

On 2017-06-28 by RJ Smith

I recently changed a few receptacles and am seeking confirmation that I duplicated functionality in one particular receptacle

. This receptacle is in the middle of a circuit. It had 2 screws for neutrals, 2 for hots, 2 back stab connectors for the neutral side and 2 for the hot side. And the usual screw for ground. One white wire was stabbed into the top neutral side, one stabbed in the bottom.

On the hot side, one black was stabbed into the top slot, one black in the bottom slot.

There was a single red wire attached to the top screw, hot side. And the ground was connected. I asked around and followed one set of instructions. The new receptacle has only 2 screws on the neutral side, 2 on the hot side.

And a screw for ground. I did as directed and connected one white to the top neutral screw, one to the bottom neutral screw. I maintained the same top-bottom order as was before.

I then connected the one red wire to the top hot side screw and pigtailed both black wires and connected them to the bottom hot screw. And connected the ground. So, did I duplicate the original configuration?

I understand the red wire usually indicates connection to a switch. But I see no switches anywhere that draw power from this receptacle.

I don't think the black tab between the hot side screws was broken, but when I went to check on this, the receptacle had mysteriously disappeared. I can't find a switch that is seemingly tied to this receptacle so I can't check for switch functionality.

I would appreciate any advice on what the original configuration represented, did I duplicate this functionality, and am I safe as currently configured? Thanks in advance for your feedback.

On 2017-06-14 by colin

I need to change a broken socket in an office full of computers . Can I turn off power supply safely ?

On 2017-06-07 by (mod) -

You might indeed be able to install an outdoor ground-fault protected weatherproof electrical receptacle in the exterior wall wiring through the wall to the appropriate hot neutral and ground wires in the indoor receptacle as an extension to that circuit. There are however fire code requirements that you offset the two boxes so that they don't form a fire Passage through the wall.

On 2017-06-07 by Mike

Question would be if I have an outlet inside my house with a plated outside opening for electrical outlet; how would I wire outside plug to inside plug to make everything work correctly?

On 2017-03-27 by (mod) -

Thank you for the comment, anon. Can you help me find any actual data, studies, research, technical reports that document injuries from the situation that you describe, or that document that line cords come loose more or less easily depending on the plug position? I've searched for that specific information without finding an authoritative citation.

Perhaps you can suggest some search phrases that I might use with G. Scholar that provides research of technical papers and research.

On 2017-03-27 by Anonymous

As a licensed electrician for over 30 years,i've seen a thing or two. In reference to wall plugs, i'm of the opinion that the ground pin should face up. Leaving the plug in the opposite orientation, increases the likelihood that over time , a cord will come out partially thus exposing the live and neutral prongs.
Thus, materials or humans can come into contact with this live circuit and result in fire or shock.

On 2017-03-19 by (mod) -

Well just guessing, one of those hot wires was also spliced to a light circuit - maybe in the same box. See

LIGHT SWITCH WIRING DETAILS

On 2017-03-19 by Anonymous

The receptacle has two hot and two neutral and two ground. The two hot are on one side connected to brass screws the two neutral are on one side connected to white screws and ground wire are connected to the green screw. Before I changed the receptacle the bathroom had two lights, one fan, one receptacle and one light switch. Now everything works except one light. What have I done wrong?

On 2017-03-19 by (mod) - How do I wire the plug?

Sorry Mike I'm a bit confused. The "plug" in my lingo is the connector at the end of a power cord, while the thing on the wall into which you insert the plug is the "receptacle" or "wall ouitlet" as some say.

If you removed and re-wired a receptacle and it's not working I can but guess that youl've got an open wire or the unit is mis wired (risking a fire or shock).

Sometimes pushing the receptacle back into the box if it's crowded you may inadvertently disturb a connection.

In conventional electrical wiring, as this article will discuss:

Black (hot) to brass screw on the receptacle

White (neutral) to white screw on the receptacle

Green or gare (ground) to green ground screw on the receptacle

On 2017-03-19 by michael

I replaced a plug in bathroom that has two cables attached to it. All the bathroom lights, fan and this plug run off of this. After I installed it one lights would no work. How do I wire the plug? Where do place the black and white wires?

On 2017-02-16 by Sean

So I had a corded steam mop heating up then a breaker popped. Ever since 3 sockets will not work. Checked breaker and its good. replaced g.f.I. outlet that mop was plugged into and still no luck. Any suggestions.

On 2016-12-21 by (mod) -

Nice clue, Jim, though in the absence of a standard, interpreting which way the ground connector opening is mounted (up or down) remains forever ambiguous.

On 2016-12-21 by JimInSandals

In some areas I found that the builder put the room wall electrical plug with the GROUND facing the ceiling when that outlet was activated by a wall switch. Very easy to spot and you know which outlets are always LIVE. Cosmetic issue only. Secondly I found references that to add an outlet to an existing outlet is is NOT allowed by City code). They require you pigtail the incoming wires. Best to check your city / county / state codes.

On 2016-09-30 by Anonymous - height that the outlet should bee from the floor?

Anonymous,

In the list of articles in this series found in the ARTICLE INDEX please see the live link for HEIGHT above FLOOR for OUTLETS
for a detailed reply.

On 2016-09-30 by Anonymous

What is the height that the outlet should bee from the floor?

On 2016-06-06 by (mod) -

Anon you can use the ARTICLE INDEX found near the end of this page or search InspectApedia for WIRING COLOR CODES

Typically an electric range uses two hot wires and a grounding conductor. If the range includes 120V circuits as well there'll be a neutral wire.

On 2016-06-06 by Anonymous

Installing a 3 prong electric range receptical with color coding procedures?

On 2016-05-31 by M. Lacson JR.

thank I learn how to connect in switch

Thank you for this website I learn more about how to connect in to the plug so very thanks

On 2016-05-11 by (mod) -

Victor,

Watch out: depending on where you live you may be required to hire a licensed electrician. If you are permitted to do your own electrical work most likely a permit and inspections are still required. These steps are more than just there to annoy you. Electrical wiring mistakes burn down buildings and kill people.

With those warnings given, typically you can make a limited extension to some (not all) electrical receptacle circuits (e.g. you cannot extend a knob and tube circuit) to add one more receptacle. I look for the receptacle in the source room closest to the room where another receptacle is needed. I open walls or drill holes to snake wire, perhaps armored cable to be a bit safer. I splice the new wire into the sending receptacle box matching hot to hot, etc. and route it to the new receptacle location.

Watch out: you may need to install a larger receptacle box in the source room because adding more wires and splices into the existing receptacle box in wall may make for more connections and crowding than permitted by the electrical code.

On 2016-05-10 by victor friskey

I want to connect a ground wire(three wires) receptacle in one room to one in another room...what is the proper procedure

On 2016-04-10 by (mod) -

Anon:

I can only guess about your question about what "AL with a line through it and CU" means because I don't know where you saw that.

I suspect you are looking at an electrical device such as a light switch or receptacle. If there is an AL with a slash through it and a "CU" also imprinted on the device I guess the manufacturer is telling you:

"THIS DEVICE IS ONLY FOR USE WITH COPPER WIRING, DO NOT USE WITH ALUMINUM ELECTRICAL WIRE"

On 2016-04-10 by (mod) - inspector told us that the reason some of our outlets are "upside-down" is to indicate that those outlets are controlled by wall switches

PWuz

Well that's sure interesting. nI 5 decades of electrical work that's not one I've heard before: that doesn't make it right or wrong, however. I do not believe that there is any agreement nor any standard practice for putting the receptacles with ground prong opening uppermost vs. lowermost.

On 2016-04-10 by Pwuz

Our inspector had told us that the reason some of our outlets are "upside-down" is to indicate that those outlets are controlled by wall switches next to our light switches. He said it was a very common practice, and it seems every "upside-down" outlet is one that has a corresponding wall switch.

Very handy for power hog devices that draw a lot of energy even when in standby mode.

On 2016-04-04 by Anonymous

What does the Al with a line threw it and a Cu mean? I need a wall outlet that is good for both aluminum and copper wiring

On 2016-03-05 by (mod) -

You can't just drop wire connections if you want the downstream receptacles to work and if you want a safe, grounded circuit.

On 2016-03-03 by Ken

How do I replace an outlet that has 2 black, 2 white, and a ground wire with an outlet that requires 1 black, 1 white and no ground wire ?

On 2015-10-22 by (mod) -

Generally, yes, Mark; but take a look at the different wire colour codes used in the E.U.

See I.E.C. I.E.E. ELECTRICAL WIRING COLOUR CODE CHART

On 2015-10-22 by (mod) -

RE-posting

Mark said:
Thank you for so detail tips. Especially pictures made me understand everything the most. I'm a memeber of EU and as you know I have another kind of sockets. Can I use your tutorials if i want to install european kind of sockets such as Obo?

OBO is een Duitse producent van systemen voor gebouwinstallatie zoals verbindings- en bevestigingssystemen, inbouwapparatuursystemen, kabel- en wandgoten, brand- en bliksembeveiliging en meer.

OBO is een familiebedrijf dat in 1911 werd opgericht als stansfabriek voor bevestigingstechniek, en wordt inmiddels geleid door de vierde generatie Bettermann.

Het bedrijf is in meer dan zestig landen actief. De vele producten van OBO worden gebruikt in bijvoorbeeld de scheepsbouw en voedingsmiddelenindustrie.

Ook worden OBO-producten onder meer toegepast in zonne-energie-installaties, energiecentrales en tunnelbouw.

On 2015-08-14 by (mod) - hoof up an outlet using the hot wire coming in and going out?

All due respect, Brad, what you describes sounds like damaged or improper electrical wiring, an unsafe condition that risks fire or death by electrocution. It's time to call a licensed electrician to track down what sounds like a voltage leak and dangerous conditions. Meanwhile leave that circuit OFF.

On 2014-05-07 by Anonymous

can I hoof up an outlet using the hot wire coming in and going out

On 2017-02-27 by (mod)

Anon:

You'll need to review the wiring diagram for your Tandberg reel to reel tape recorder/player; I can't bet your life or a fire on a wild guess. -

On 2017-02-27 by Anonymous

I have a tandberg 4 track reel to reel with only two white wires to plug which goes in the Live?

On 2017-02-18 by (mod)

Sounds like a wiring error or loose connections. I suspect the box is over-crowded and when you push wires back into the wall something is coming disconnected.

On 2017-02-16 by steve - trouble wiring up plug for refrigerator

plug in quit working for frig

replaced receptacle still wont work

2 blackwires are hot when grounded

2 white wires are neutral

yet when I test front of receptacle or plug in frig it doesn't work?

On 2016-10-09 by (mod)

Re-posting

Mark said:
I've been searching around, but I can't find any guides on my type of outlet.

He posted a link to a floor-mounted receptacle for sale at Amazon, TOPGREENER 705506 Floor Box 1 Gang 20A Kit, Tamper / Weather Resistant Duplex Receptacle, UL Listed - Stainless Steel

The wiring connections for the receptacle you describe does not change because of its location.

On 2016-07-26 by (mod) - how to wire a 30 Amp breaker to a 3 prong outlet: Don't

You don't if the 3-prong receptacle is on a typical, common household circuit, as you'd be over-fusing the wire.

On 2016-07-26 by Anonymous

I have a30 amp breaker how do I wire it to a 3 prong outlet

On 2016-07-26 by (mod) - usual red, black, white wires at a receptacle

... a question on somebody's test, being asked of InspectApedia.com

more likely we're looking at a switched receptacle or a multiwire circuit using a common neutral; I doubt that the third wire is connected to your receptacle unless it's a 240V receptacle and circuit. If so it won't look like a regular 120V receptacle, right?

Now, no cheating on tests. A license obtained that way could encourage a mistake that could kill your clients.

On 2016-07-26 by Ruben

If a receptacle has one red one black one white and one ground wire is usually indicates it is

On 2016-05-01 by Dale

I'm wiring up a air cond/heater that says 208/230 the receptacle where the unit plugs in only has 2 bronze lugs and a green ground screw no lug for a neutral or common

On 2015-10-07 by AL

I'm replacing a plug in the kitchen for a gfi plug rewired it the same way I took it off old plug and I just blow the breaker ? I have white and two blacks and a red wire

On 2015-09-06 by (mod) - reader warns of electrical shock hazards in do-it-yourself wiring

Thank you for your concern for electrical safety, Jack. It is certainly the case that among millions of readers, homeowners, apartment dwellers, home inspectors, repair technicians and licensed electricians quite a variety of questions will indeed arise.

Technical researchers, writers, publishers, as well as building code compliance inspectors, licensing agencies, and electricians are quite unable to physically prevent an un-trained person from attempting a repair that she or he should not.

We can however help people understand where safety hazards lie, where there is risk of fire, shock or even death from electrocution, we can suggest consulting a qualified expert, and we can often help a consumer understand what is required in diagnosing and repairing building problems - an effort that can reduce these risks, improve safety, and at the same time can help a consumer understand why a fifteen minute repair by someone who knows what she or he is doing can and should more than fifteen dollars.

This warning appears at page top:

Watch out: Electrical components in a building can easily cause an electrical shock, burn, or even death.  Even when a hot line switch is off, one terminal on the switch is still connected to the power source. Before doing any work on the switch, the power source must be turned off by setting a circuit breaker to OFF or removing a fuse.

On 2015-09-0 by Jack

I just came across this page, and I must say it terrifies me. The people asking these questions clearly should not be allowed anywhere near an electrical outlet other than to put in their iPod charger.

On 2015-07-16 by Stella

We are supposed to install an outlet (3 prong) for a freezer and wire we have to work with is two black and one green. After seeing no white or ground wire, I am very confused now. Originally, the old freezer that we need to replace, was wired directly to the power switch in the freezer box section. Sorry, for my description. Best I can do. Thank you.

On 2015-05-29 by Joe

I have seen in your illustrations that when you terminate the wires on the sides (using the screws) you put the wires underneath the metal tab that is immediately below the screw head. I realize that "tab" is probably not the proper term, but I don't know how else to describe it; perhaps plate or bracket is more applicable. Is it incorrect to terminate the wires in between the screw heads and that metal tab? Does it make a difference whether it's below or above the tab? Thanks.

On 2015-05-18 by (mod)

Mark

You'll need to follow those "black" wires to see what they actually are. It's possible that the installer was feeding hot in and hot out from one side of the receptacle - current flowing through the receptacle itself.

On 2015-04-24 by Mark

I was looking to replace a duplex receptacle. It was an outlet with a ground. When I pulled
the receptacle out of the box I was surprised to find that one of the black wires was going to
the hot (brass) screw on top and other black wire was going to the neutral side on top.

The white
wires had one going to the bottom brass screw and the other was going to the bottom neutral screw.

So, what I have a black and white wire on the same side of the receptacle. What is going on here?

On 2015-04-13 by (mod) - Harbor Breeze Oracoke fan wiring details

Roger

You can obtain wiring instructions for the Harbor Breeze Oracoke fan by contacting Harbor Breeze (a Lowes brand) at 800 643 0067 , or by visiting a Lowes building supply store close to you or by calling 800 445 6937 for Lowes customer service - assuming you did not find that information in the product package.

From what I've read, on this fan the wires are identified as follows (CHECK THIS with your instructions). Your electrician will sort this out for you. Typically:

Black: fan power - connects to the "hot" or usually black wire of the powering circuit

Blue: fan light power - connects to a switched hot wire circuit to permit switching the fan light on or off separately from the fan itself. If you wire the blue and black fan wires both to the same black powering circuit then fan and light would always be forced to be on together.

Green: fan ground wire, connects to the circuit grounding conductor (usually bare or green)

White: neutral wire, normally connects to the circuit neutral wire which is usually white

At https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Wiring_Colours.php you can see tables of wiring color codes for the U.S. or other countries.

On 2015-04-13 by Roger

The fan is a Harbor Breeze, Ocracoke model. The wall switch has two red wires connected to the two terminals on the right of the switch ( as you face it) and the black wire is connected to the one terminal on the bottom left side. The ground is on the top left. Hope this helps. Thanks again.

On 2015-04-13 by (mod)

Roger

Sorry to be so timid but flying blind risks sending you into the electric-shock zone. I don't know what your switch terminals and wires are doing or connected-to. If you don't have a wiring diagram for the fan and switch, tell us the brand and model and perhaps we can help find that information. That'll tell us which wires connect to which terminals.

On 2015-04-11 by Roger

i am installing a speed control switch for a recently installed ceiling fan. This switch has a green wire and two black wires. The on off switch in the wall is connected to two red wires, a black wire and a ground. Can I pigtail the two red wires and connect them to one of the black wires from the speed control switch? Thanks for your help.

On 2015-02-22 by (mod)

Talha,

In addition to obtaining a permit and inspections for electrical wiring safety, you will want to see

https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Backup_Electrical_Generators.php

On 2015-02-17 by Talha

I'm building a generator at home. Could you please tell me how to hook it up to a receptacle?

Question: can't get an electrical switch to work on a combined receptacle-switch device

(July 30, 2014) Anne said:

I am replacing an outlet that has the top half on a switch and the bottom half always on. The old outlet had stab wire connections for a black, white and RED wire in the top section

I have tried to install the new outlet, using the screws as recommended, rather than the stab connections, and cannot make the top half work on the switch.

(I tried with the tabs in place, one tab removed and both tabs removed. Also tried the red & black on the same screw, red on the screw and black in the stab hole and the reverse.) How to I make the switch work?

Reply:

Anne I don't have a full picture of what you're doing but

first: be careful not to electrocute yourself or start a fire - a standard caveat I'd make to anyone not a trained electrician

Now, in general,

1. to power the upper and lower halves of a receptacle separately we have to break the line-in or black wire or power tab. You can break apart the tab on the white wire neutral side but those connections are going to be made common by a splice in the electrical box anyway.

2. The line-in power wire into the receptacle box is split into two feed wires. One goes to the lower "always on" half of the receptacle line in screw while the other connects to a wire leading to the receptacle switch. The return wire from that switch then connects to the line-in or black wire or gold-colored screw on the receptacle.

Question:

(Oct 30, 2014) James said:

I am an apprentice in house wiring I wired a four plate stove like this: I installed 30A circuit breaker in the consumer unit and ran wires to the kitchen where I connected the wires coming from the breaker box to the line (input) an I connected the load to the stove I used 2.5mm. I tested the it and is working but now my question is did I do it right? is the 2.5mm ok for the circuit? Is there a negative impact the wire size will have in future?

Reply:

James you don't identify your country nor voltage levels. Typically an electric stove is wired on a 220V-240V circuit, sometimes depending on stove design, some burners may use always or part time just one 120V leg. I'm not quite clear on what you did. Did the 4-plate electric stove come with wiring instructions and a wiring diagram?

Question: Tom Planer doesn't like photos of electrical wiring details

Tom Planer said:

I would be embarrassed to say I allowed the pictures in this article to be a part of this page.

You really need to take a quick look at NFPA Article 110.3 and 110.4 and do it quick.
Tom

Reply:

Tom, thank you for your comment.

Indeed I expect licensed electricians to know how to make proper electrical connections.

And to be familiar with the national electrical code. We do, however, often include photographs of as-is wiring as important illustrations of what's found in the real world - in the field. Showing what people actually do, right and wrong, can be useful.

While we regret that you might be embarrassed, explicit, technical comment would be more helpful than shame tossed over the electronic-wall.

Your comment to look at NFPA Article 110.3 probably intended to refer to the National Electrical Code NEC 110.3 which gives advice for the examination, installation, and use of [electrical] equipment and includes the expectation that such wiring details are inspected by the local electrical code compliance officer.

NEC 110.4 includes "The voltage rating of electrical equipment shall not be less than the nominal voltage of a circuit to which it is connected. "

Referring readers to a mere paratraph nunmber that points to lengthy electrical code specification without any specifics is not helpful.

Thanks - Moderator.

...

Continue reading  at ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE CONNECTION DETAILS - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

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• ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE TYPES
• ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE WIRING SERIES vs PARALLEL
• ELECTRICAL WIRE CLEARANCE FROM DUCTS & PIPES
• GROUND WIRE CONNECTIONS
• MULTI-WIRE CIRCUITS
• NAIL STOPS to PROTECT WIRES
• NUMBER of WIRE CONDUCTORS
• OLD WORK ELECTRICAL BOXES for RETROFIT
• REVERSED POLARITY ELECTRICAL DEVICES / CIRCUITS
• ROUTING, SECURING & PROTECTING ELECTRICAL WIRES
• SIZE of WIRE REQUIRED for ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLES
• SPLICING ELECTRICAL WIRES
• STRIPPING ELECTRICAL WIRES
• ELECTRICAL WALL PLUG WIRING ID & CONNECTIONS
• KNOB & TUBE WIRING
• SAFETY for ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS - home

Suggested citation for this web page

ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE CONNECTION FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to ELECTRICAL INSPECTION & TESTING

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Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

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