Interesting Outlet Configuration
#1
Interesting Outlet Configuration
Hi all,
I'm curious about a wiring configuration I discovered today while doing some remodeling.
I found an outlet connected with two 12/3 wires. The connecting tab between the top and bottom hot poles is removed. The top hot pole is connected to all the black wires. The bottom hot pole is connected to all the red wires.
The neutral poles are connected to all the white wires. The ground is connected to all the green wires.
No big mystery up to this point. But, when I turn off a single 20 amp breaker at the panel, both the top and bottom receptacles are dead. I haven't traced the lines back yet, but I find this arrangement interesting, especially since neither line is controlled by a switch.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
I'm curious about a wiring configuration I discovered today while doing some remodeling.
I found an outlet connected with two 12/3 wires. The connecting tab between the top and bottom hot poles is removed. The top hot pole is connected to all the black wires. The bottom hot pole is connected to all the red wires.
The neutral poles are connected to all the white wires. The ground is connected to all the green wires.
No big mystery up to this point. But, when I turn off a single 20 amp breaker at the panel, both the top and bottom receptacles are dead. I haven't traced the lines back yet, but I find this arrangement interesting, especially since neither line is controlled by a switch.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
#2
Member
What color is landed on that breaker? If you leave that breaker on, can any other breaker also shut off at least one of those poles? What colors are landed on the breakers immediately above and below that breaker? Does that breaker also shut off any other receptacles? Where is this receptacle located?
You meant 12/3 "cables," not "wires," though.
You meant 12/3 "cables," not "wires," though.
#4
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Location: Central New York State
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This is wired for switches. Perhaps a switch used to control them, and someone added a ceiling light so they rewired the switched half of the receptacles, or perhaps only on of the receptacles is switched and the others have been changed to always hot.
#5
The only hot wire connected to the breaker at the box is black. Also the cable coming out of the box is 12/2, so there must be a j-box somewhere where black meets red.
I agree about being pre-wired for switching - especially since there are other rooms in this house that have been wired with switched outlets.
I will eventually find out where the connections are as I progress. I really appreciate all the help guys. Thanks!
I agree about being pre-wired for switching - especially since there are other rooms in this house that have been wired with switched outlets.
I will eventually find out where the connections are as I progress. I really appreciate all the help guys. Thanks!
#6
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Join Date: Oct 2004
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First see if you have any switches that don't work.
Sounds like you may have more then one outlet switched on the same circuit, the tabs will also need to be removed from the others if any.
Sounds like you may have more then one outlet switched on the same circuit, the tabs will also need to be removed from the others if any.
#7
yes - I found one switch that doesn't seem to do anything. There is one other outlet connected to the first one I found as well. The tab is already removed on it as well, but neither outlet is connected to the switch.