2 Wires to 1 Terminal?


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Old 07-20-18, 10:25 AM
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2 Wires to 1 Terminal?

I'm considering purchasing a smart wifi thermostat, this one in particular https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G4CIG7M...v_ov_lig_dp_it. Before I order it, I took the cover off my current thermostat to make sure I have a "C" wire. I noticed I have 2 wires going to the E terminal. What might be the purpose? Assuming this is correctly wired, I'm guessing the new thermostat should be wired the same way? Picture of my thermostat wiring below (link). In the link below, you can click on the arrow to move to a second picture.


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Last edited by PJmax; 07-20-18 at 10:05 PM. Reason: added pic from link
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Old 07-20-18, 07:47 PM
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I would remove the panel of the indoor unit and snap a few pictures of the wire connections and the heat strips information.

While there is nothing wrong with connecting two wires to the E terminal... Your new thermostat will probably have a single heat strips terminal labeled Aux/E. I would not connect 3 wires to this terminal.

I would connect 10 KW to the Aux/E terminal. This is probably 2 wires.
I would tape off the third heat strips wire
 
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Old 12-16-18, 12:01 AM
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I just got my smart thermostat and wanting to install. A picture of the wallplate is below. So which wires connect to which terminals. Some are obvious while others aren't (at least to me). I don't know how to put the image right in the post, only can supply a link. My current wiring is at the bottom of this thread.

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Last edited by PJmax; 12-16-18 at 09:35 AM. Reason: added pic from link
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Old 12-16-18, 12:22 AM
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Houston204, I'm not sure what you mean by "I would remove the panel of the indoor unit and snap a few pictures of the wire connections and the heat strips information." Do you mean the wiring going into my air handler in my garage? Perhaps air handler is not the correct description. The unit housing my fan, ac and emergency heat?

Unless something different is determined by what I find by removing the panel of the indoor unit, I think I know what you're saying. My new thermostat has only 1 terminal for W2 and E. I think you're saying connect the blue and white wires below to the W2-Aux/E terminal on wallplate and tape off the black wire?
 
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Old 12-16-18, 07:56 AM
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Don't know that it matters for the wiring, but I ended up purchasing this model https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-RTH...ords=rth9585wf.
 
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Old 12-16-18, 09:48 AM
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You can only put one wire into a terminal. You'd need to splice two wires into one wire.

The unit housing your electric heat, A/C and fan is an air handler. Follow the thermostat cables to it. Post a picture or two of the splices. They may be behind an access door.... How-to-insert-pictures.
 
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Old 12-16-18, 12:01 PM
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Thank you, PJ. I assume this is what you need to see, but a better image (remove the cover from over the wires too). Water softener is tight against the unit in garage. I'll work on getting better pictures posted tomorrow.

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Last edited by PJmax; 12-16-18 at 12:08 PM. Reason: added pic from link
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Old 12-16-18, 12:08 PM
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The wiring connections you are concerned with are in the red circle.
 
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Old 12-16-18, 12:18 PM
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Great, I'll gain better access and remove the cover for a good picture.
 
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Old 12-16-18, 08:52 PM
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Hope the picture is enough to determine what is needed. If not, let me know and I'll take another.

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Last edited by PJmax; 12-16-18 at 09:08 PM. Reason: cropped/labeled picture
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Old 12-16-18, 09:17 PM
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R - red ----------> R
G - green ------> G
O - orange -----> W-O/B
Y -yellow -------> Y
C - tan -----------> C
E - white --------> W2/E/AUX
W2 - black ------- Tape off
Tape off the blue wire

The black and white are both tied to the W - electric heat strips.
Blue is doing nothing.
 
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Old 12-16-18, 09:17 PM
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Thank you, PJ. I REALLY appreciate your help.
 
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Old 12-16-18, 09:19 PM
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Old 12-17-18, 10:48 AM
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Don't know that it matters, but wanted to comment as I didn't see it until I disconnected my old thermostat (can't tell from the picture either). The white wire connected to the E terminal on my old wallplate is only a jumper to the W2 terminal. Perhaps I noticed before, but don't recall and don't see that I commented on that anywhere. I installed per your instructions, PJ and everything seems to be working fine. Just wanted to be sure the fact that white wire is a jumper wouldn't dictate a change.
 
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Old 12-17-18, 11:10 AM
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The white and black are connected together at the air handler.
That means you can use either one at the thermostat. Be sure to insulate the unused wire.
 
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Old 12-17-18, 11:35 AM
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Thanks again, PJ. Everything is working well.
 
 

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