Wiring
#1
03-28-03, 03:27 PM
Wiring
I'm replacing the receptacles in my house and some of them have 6 wires, two white on one side, two black on one terminal on black side and two red on one terminal on black side. Do I connect them the same on the new receptacle? Why are there two red wires?
Jim
Jim
#2
03-28-03, 03:38 PM
Member
There's a good chance these are split-wired receptacles on a multiwire circuit. Look closely at the brass screw side, comparing it to the silver screw side. Is there a tab broken out on the brass screw side that is still there on the silver screw side?
#4
03-28-03, 05:04 PM
Member
So yes, connect them the same on the new receptacle, and don't forget to break out the tab in exactly the same way as the old receptacle. The red wire is used so that that half of the receptacle is either switched, or on a different circuit than the other half. You can probably tell based on whether there's a switch on the wall somewhere that controls one half of the receptacle(s). Be careful. You may need to shut off two breakers to deaden that box. Test carefully with your meter before touching anything.
#5
03-28-03, 05:44 PM
You are not allowed to put 2 wires under 1 screw. If it is the backwire type(not the spring loaded backstab) receptacle you can insert 2 wires and tighten the screw. Don't forget to break the tab off your new recptacles.
#6
03-28-03, 06:04 PM
Member
Thanks Joe. I missed that.
If there are four screws on each side of the receptacle, then you're in good shape. Otherwise, I recommend you use a pigtail (short section of wire) to connect the two red wires to one brass screw, and do the same with the two black wires and the other brass screw.
If there are four screws on each side of the receptacle, then you're in good shape. Otherwise, I recommend you use a pigtail (short section of wire) to connect the two red wires to one brass screw, and do the same with the two black wires and the other brass screw.
#7
03-29-03, 06:32 AM
Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 130
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
jwk
If there are two separate circuits at the receptacles, you can not use the receptacle to splice the white wires. You will need to wirenut the two whites with a third 'pigtail' for the receptacle itself.
If there are two separate circuits at the receptacles, you can not use the receptacle to splice the white wires. You will need to wirenut the two whites with a third 'pigtail' for the receptacle itself.
