2 black wires, 2 white wires, and 1 red wire
#1
10-02-13, 03:38 PM
2 black wires, 2 white wires, and 1 red wire
Hi, this is my first time here but I couldn't find an answer I was looking for.
I need to replace an electrical outlet that is different from ones I've replaced in the past. This outlet has 2 black wires, 2 white wires, and 1 red wire (see attached picture). How do I properly wire with an outlet that has 2 brass screws, 2 silver screws and a ground? Thank you so much!
I need to replace an electrical outlet that is different from ones I've replaced in the past. This outlet has 2 black wires, 2 white wires, and 1 red wire (see attached picture). How do I properly wire with an outlet that has 2 brass screws, 2 silver screws and a ground? Thank you so much!
#2
10-02-13, 03:50 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
You would pigtail the two blacks together .along with a short black piece of wire. Break out the tab between the brass screws. Connect the black to one of the brass screws. Connect the red to the other brass.
Connect the whites and grounds following the existing wiring.
Your receptacle is half switched.
Connect the whites and grounds following the existing wiring.
Your receptacle is half switched.
ajaopify
voted this post useful.
#3
10-02-13, 04:57 PM
If your duplex receptacle was mounted with the ground slots down, the upper receptacle was switched. If it was mounted with the ground slots up, the lower receptacle would have been the one controlled by the switch.
Either way, if you terminate the red wire to the brass screw that's further away from the ground screw, and the black wire to the brass screw that's closer to the ground screw, your new duplex recerotacle will have the same receptacle switched as it did before.
Either way, if you terminate the red wire to the brass screw that's further away from the ground screw, and the black wire to the brass screw that's closer to the ground screw, your new duplex recerotacle will have the same receptacle switched as it did before.
#6
10-04-13, 12:25 PM
What kind of wire do I use to pigtail it with?
If this is on a 15A circuit, you can use either 12AWG or 14AWG. If it's on a 20A circuit the wire will have to be 12AWG.
I tried looking for a label on the black wires but couldn't find anything.
