Which Wire is the Hot and Which is the Neutral in an Old House? How to Tell and Stay Safe!

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2 жыл бұрын

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Пікірлер: 517

@SparkyChannel 3 ай бұрын

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@blazayblazay8888 Ай бұрын

Great video! What gauge do you think the old wires were and what size wago did you use?

@aaront5873 Жыл бұрын

Voice reminds me of Scotty Kilmer. Good info too 👍

@SparkyChannel Жыл бұрын

Thanks Aaron!

@kriskhaira Жыл бұрын

Sparky Kilmer

@gballs007 Жыл бұрын

Exactly what I thought!

@marilynthies5538 Жыл бұрын

I thought so also there probably related

@johnnyhip3939 Жыл бұрын

I agree sounds like him.

@feathermerchant 2 жыл бұрын

Instead of electrical tape, I've used white and black heatshrink. It also helps slow further deterioration of the old insulation.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent!

@jill-of-all-trades Ай бұрын

VERY helpful. I was just crawling around in the attic and went downstairs to disconnect a light fixture from below so I could require it. I promptly forgot which wire was hot and which was neutral. I could guess but thought I’d be safe and double check. Thanks Bill!

@davcot3675 2 жыл бұрын

Another great vid. I see this issue a lot in Boston old homes. Perfect application for the wago nuts.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I'm sure this situation is found all over in older homes because those old wires don't keep their color well over 60 years or so. And yes, the Wago's offer a way to check the voltage without exposing the installer to bare wires. Thanks Dav!

@billhandymanbill2775 2 жыл бұрын

Nice and clear video! The only thing I tell your viewers is the insulation on electrical wire shown is called “Cambric” which is a rubber insulation covered by a cloth covering and that when the rubber dries out it crumbles and the cloth covering also disintegrates leaving bare wires exposed possibly causing a short circuit. That is why it is super important to over the wires with color electrical tape.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

I agree. Thanks Bill!

@andrewbrown7171 2 жыл бұрын

WhY not test the earth wire as most electricians woul

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

@@andrewbrown7171 Hi Andrew! In 1957 in the USA there is almost never a ground wire in the ceiling for a light. That is the case in this example.

@apagan65 2 жыл бұрын

As always Mr. Sparky, you're the man! I can always count on you to learn about electrical wiring. 👍

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure, thanks!

@libertarian1637 2 жыл бұрын

Good choice in non-contact voltage detectors; the Fluke is by far the best I’ve ever found. While these are good they’re not cheap; I believe in spending money where it makes sense and these make sense.

@TheDizzack 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video for the newbs. Great job as always, Bill!

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Anthony!

@oshtoolman 2 жыл бұрын

thank you Sparky. I always learn so much from your videos.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent! That's the goal!

@bradgubanich8865 11 ай бұрын

Came across this by shear accident but was a gem to discover. Thank u

@davidkozal3622 2 жыл бұрын

This video was more than helpful being I have this type of wiring in my late 50’s home. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Great to hear! Best wishes!

@joejoe6949 2 жыл бұрын

You should re wire your house like yesterday

@AerialLensVideo 5 ай бұрын

THANK you! Something I HAD to know in my old house, and YOU provided the answer, fast and easy.

@SparkyChannel 3 ай бұрын

Excellent!

@farmerdave7965 2 жыл бұрын

That's the reason I use black and white liquid electrical tape. I paint the wires the proper colors. Works real fine, lasts a long time.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent, both for wire identification and to protect the wires!

@TomCee53 2 жыл бұрын

There is also spray tape in various colors.

@thomasdragosr.841 2 жыл бұрын

I can remember working in homes that were wired in the 1920's and before. As soon as you touched that old wire the insulation would crumble off. It would have been nice to have WAGO's back then, less stress on the wire when making splices.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent point. Thanks Thomas!

@MrKeefy 2 жыл бұрын

My great grandma's house was like that. The sockets were 3 pin round from the 1930s era I think only good enough for a couple lights am just about a TV. If she put the washing machine on the fuse would blow instantly. She had her house renovated in the late 90s and the whole place was deemed too dangerous due to the vulcanised rubber cables perished and gas leaks from the lead pipes. She had to go live with my grandma and granddad for a few weeks until it was all sorted.

@buddyboy4x44 2 жыл бұрын

Good job. Very helpful. Those little pen testers to show live wires are very cheap and very helpful.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Yes sir, I totally agree!

@AerialLensVideo Жыл бұрын

Well done -- THANK YOU! It is possible -- even LIKELY, out of so many views -- you saved some folks from a shock, a fall, or even worse. I live in an old house with a good bit of "knob and tube" remaining (some are even fused circuits) so definitely appreciate your video. EDIT: Both my wires at a ceiling fixture show hot using a little detector like yours (mine blinks rather solid light). Now what?

@BearMeat4Dinner 11 ай бұрын

Just did a switch for our house 1902. We are the 2nd owners! ❤80 plus years in the family.

@ptuben 9 ай бұрын

I’m going through the same. Built in 1902, lots of add ons through out the years. I have one light fixture in the kitchen that looks like wiring from the forties. Time to run new wiring.

@Mrdealornodeal618 2 жыл бұрын

This is perfect and in time! Thank you!

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

@RSKLove 3 ай бұрын

This is a great refresher, sir! You are a great content provider.

@SparkyChannel 3 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

@michaelmeans9187 Жыл бұрын

Excellent tip. Thank you for sharing. I greatly appreciate that you take the time to film and produce these videos. I find them very helpful and informative. Thank you so much. Keep up the good work!

@SparkyChannel Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Michael!

@stargrog 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I appreciate your time in explaining this type of electrical connection.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Thanks!

@patthesoundguy 2 жыл бұрын

I love the use of the lever nuts for testing purposes!!! I think that is a very safe way to get the meter probes on there with very little chance of them shorting out. I have clips that slide on over my meter probes but I like the lever nut idea. I'm going to pick some up. Thanks

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

I agree. I feel that the more people can avoid bare wires, the less "shocking" accidents there will be.

@robfel9435 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the information. I ran into this situation and sparky helped with his video.

@buckshot8393 2 жыл бұрын

I'm an electrician but just subscribe to your channel I think it's great keep up the good work you're going to save a lot of lives thank you

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the sub and welcome to Sparky Channel! Saving lives is a good thing!!!

@garydudgeon 2 жыл бұрын

Good demonstration Sparky.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gary!

@jt9437 2 жыл бұрын

I know a electrical but I like how you get real simple with it so people who know nothing can actually understand what you're meaning.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jacob!

@Ulbre 7 ай бұрын

I thank you and other you tubers for this information. I built a house in Thailand almost 20 years ago and I have since discovered that there is absolutely no conformity to wire colouring through the entire house. There's probably about 80 elec outlets and switches throughout the property and there are just so many differences that I decided to start taking apart each box and colour code and mark each wire..........of course I had to learn how to identify each wire using a multimeter........but I thank you and the others for teaching me how to do all of this.......I have done about 10% so far, so still a way to go, but I am also making a log book for each and every plug & sw which will help both me and any future owner down the track. Cheers from Chiang Mai :) :) :)

@SparkyChannel 7 ай бұрын

Cheers from San Diego!

@kennylavay8492 2 жыл бұрын

Another good educational video. keep em coming.

@SparkyChannel Жыл бұрын

Thanks Kenny!

@drippinglass Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Happy New Year🎉

@SparkyChannel Жыл бұрын

Same to you, thanks!

@tommycho9068 2 жыл бұрын

Great demonstration and good video. Thank you.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tommy!

@robp9696 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this !

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure Rob!

@al52269 2 жыл бұрын

Great video as always

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@benl552 2 жыл бұрын

This was very helpful!!

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you think so!

@maryhuss3502 Жыл бұрын

Very helpful, thank you!

@petethehandyman9185 2 жыл бұрын

Welcome back Sparky!

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Pete!

@What1zTyme Жыл бұрын

Very clever method using WAGO connectors to hold multimeter probes!

@SparkyChannel Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@adamebj 20 күн бұрын

Thank you for the vid!

@panama-sx2oh 2 жыл бұрын

Sparky another great video. I hate working on those old wires sometimes very brittle thats why I always retape once I establish which is hot n neutral. Thanks Sparky keep videos coming

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent, re-taping with the correct color of tape is a great idea!

@KevinMichaelMichael 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! Thank you!

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

@michaelthompson7570 2 жыл бұрын

Good video and demo

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Michael!

@lovernotfighter 2 жыл бұрын

Great lesson. I was trying to figure that out just the other day.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Glad to help!

@charlesp9681 Ай бұрын

This was informative and helpful.

@SparkyChannel Ай бұрын

Thanks, great to hear!

@jimgd4 2 жыл бұрын

Great tips, thanks!!

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jim!

@McmM-cv9sb 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the safety tip bill..👍

@SparkyChannel Жыл бұрын

NO problem, thanks!

@Bobcat1950 9 ай бұрын

I got bit many years ago, because they wired a switch loop (hot wire to the light first). When the light switch was off and the light was out, I assumed the power was off to the light. The switch broke the path,but juice was still live at the light. We didn’t have all these nice testers like today. Always use a proximity tester and make sure it is working first.

@sergeylavrinenkov7834 Жыл бұрын

i like this channel, it is very simply to understand this work

@SparkyChannel Жыл бұрын

Thanks Sergey!

@steffany6233 9 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for your video, this was exactly what i needed to see. Im going to grab some white electrical tape now so i can clearly mark mine.

@SparkyChannel 3 ай бұрын

Good job.

@12345shushi 2 жыл бұрын

If I find just the two wires in a old home and I want to add a neutral line to update the wiring, how would I go about determining whether that ground wire is connected to the ground or neutral bus at the subpanel? It's pretty hard to locate the lines from the outlet to the subpanel since the wiring gets lost inside of the cinderblock walls

@mohammedsedqi542 2 жыл бұрын

Very helpful!! Thank you so much :)

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome!

@corygillyard1455 Жыл бұрын

Yes indeed great video and lesson on this type of wiring. Yep this wiring is found in older homes especially build after 1930 which my house has some remnant of the old bx wiring. I would wrap them in electrical tape or I like to us heat shrink tube with a blow dryer. I did that for an old light fixture wiring in the front hallway.

@SparkyChannel Жыл бұрын

Good job.

@rashellyohn5128 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the vid. How would you trace wires in a ceiling that are for a fixture back to the breaker if they are not getting juice. It read a very low reading on my meter to no juice. I need to find out what circuit it's on. Really could use some advice.

@labornoting 2 жыл бұрын

Great points, Thank You.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@danap.235 2 жыл бұрын

Great teaching of the double check voltage testing technique. Only in the testimony of two or three witnesses is anything considered to be true. Amen Mr. Sparkey.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Amen brother!

@jsubound2007 Жыл бұрын

Thank u soooooo much!!

@LuisGarcia-kb5ti 9 ай бұрын

These is very helpful thank you sir

@SparkyChannel 9 ай бұрын

Glad to hear that, thanks!

@McmM-cv9sb 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that sparking

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

LOL! No problem, thanks!

@McmM-cv9sb 2 жыл бұрын

@@SparkyChannel I wish I could come down there and and work with you you're a wonderful person bill I've learned a lot from watching your videos keep up the good work,mike.

@bernlitzner2739 2 жыл бұрын

Thx, Bill. I will use your tape wrapping idea as I change all the outlets (and some fixtures) in my 1952 (new to me) house. The wiring in this house is all 12-2 (no ground) and I plan at this point to use GFCI breakers so I can put in 3 prong outlets. Some areas will get 12-2 w ground ...such as furnace...fridge, and the laundry room.

@kenbrown2808 2 жыл бұрын

it would be a good idea to use combination ground/arc fault breakers for an added layer of protection in any circuits you don't upgrade - and yes, definitely upgrade your appliance circuits.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent!

@marcafterdark1003 Жыл бұрын

Thanks this video was very helpful

@SparkyChannel Жыл бұрын

No problem, thanks!

@vince6829 4 ай бұрын

Very helpful. Thank you.

@SparkyChannel 3 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@Guardducks 2 жыл бұрын

Think of it this way Bill, if you get zapped by the wires being reversed you won't need that cup of coffee from 7 eleven because you'll be wide awake after you get up from the floor. Lol

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

And it will save you a buck fifty! LOL!

@emsteph 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

No problem, thanks!

@tkjazzer 2 жыл бұрын

Do you use heat shrink tubing around old cloth jackets? What heat gun do you use?

@MIKESMITH-jc2ki 6 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for this information I am running to the same problem

@SparkyChannel 3 ай бұрын

Sounds good!

@woodyblakemore8401 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent!

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Cheers!

@Dirtyharry70585 2 жыл бұрын

Waco are fantastic Especially if you’re doing multiple ceiling lights on the same circuit within their cans and outlets and other sorts makes it a lot easier to do than a twist nut

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

They really do have advantages.

@richardzapor1983 2 жыл бұрын

I have been using this method for years. I would just add that often the insulation on old wires is badly deteriorated especially if you are dealing with older knob and tube era wire. In those cases i put shrink wrap as far on the wires as possible then use a small heat gun rather that a flame to shrink the tubing. Then I mark the hot feed to the box with a black tape flag back far enough back that it will not get in the way of of the wire nut or wago .i also put a white tape flag on the primary neutral in the box . Also good to look the wires over especially stripped ends to see if the copper has been nicked such that it is likely to break as you are shoving back in the box . And if there are just too many wires in the box i will try to put an extension on it or change it to a 2 gang old work box if necessary or a deeper single gang box. Some times you can use Wiremold system boxes to get around some overcrowding problems . Those non conduct current testers are great and essential tool in my bag! Also good to take a picture of the wires and connections in a box when you first open it so you duplicate what is there and working when putting it back together , as long as you find that what is there originally is safe . As i am sure you know sometimes those “rats nest “ boxes can be a nightmare to unravel and figure out .

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent tips, thanks Richard!

@Eddy63 2 жыл бұрын

Good teaching vid ... Well done ...

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Eddy!

@davidreeves310 2 жыл бұрын

Alot of good information thanks

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@jcf3996 2 жыл бұрын

Great video

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@Deafjustin 2 жыл бұрын

Good job man

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Justin!

@Veronique487 8 ай бұрын

👍thanks! 😊

@jennyleung6537 2 жыл бұрын

thank you very much.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Welcome 😊

@100yearsofwealth 7 ай бұрын

Hi Sparky, is it okay to have a ground wire that isn't connected?

@jsubound2007 Жыл бұрын

What if I can’t identify my ground wire (idek if I have 1 cuz it’s not bare or green) and don’t have a ground screw, when I go to test the wires to identify them, if I mistakenly put my probes on the 2 hot wires (because the colors are off and I’m trying to see which is which) will I receive a shock?? Using a Fluke MM and I’m just trying to see which wires are what because I installed a new ceiling fan. I have (coming from my ceiling junction box) 2 white uncapped and 2 black uncapped. Help someone plz. It’s been 2 weeks now…😩

@AMERICANA-BOOMSTICK 9 ай бұрын

THANK YOU!

@SparkyChannel 9 ай бұрын

Welcome!

@marco785 11 ай бұрын

Where do I ground if there is no ground in house, but has a ground coming from new fixture? Mine was built in 1958.

@HRConsultant_Jeff 2 жыл бұрын

Really like the idea of using the lever nut so you don't accidentally touch them. hope you are doing well by the way.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Jeff! Thanks, you too!

@FormerlyKnownAsAndrew 6 ай бұрын

This is excellent.

@SparkyChannel 3 ай бұрын

Great to hear!

@MeaThreattoDemocracy 5 ай бұрын

Check the switch wiring too. Many times nuetrals are switched in these old buildings. I learned the hard way.

@SparkyChannel 3 ай бұрын

Good tip, thanks!

@SprouseyTheHandyMan Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@SparkyChannel Жыл бұрын

No problem, thanks!

@Marcel_Germann 2 жыл бұрын

That's not only a problem in old houses. Once came to a situation like this were all wires were completely painted over, so I had pink wires instead of black, blue and green/yellow (since 2003 it's brown instead of black, but black is still a colour for lines).

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Painters! Some of them will paint everything, even our wires! LOL!

@leelemon3373 10 ай бұрын

I had the same issue plus there was no ground wire! house was built in 1972 ish. on a ceiling fan/light. I updated with just a hanging light.

@JOEZEP54 2 жыл бұрын

Great safety tip! 👍 # 835 Stay safe, Joe Z

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, you too!

@georgequalls5043 11 ай бұрын

Did the same thing but with wire nuts and a voltage test light years ago in a 120 y/o house.

@Platerpus7 Жыл бұрын

Is this wire dangerous. I am able to replace just about every circuit that contains this wire in my house except one. This wire I cannot change without basically gutting 3 rooms. It’s a 15 amp line that only is doing lights. Is it ok to keep?

@patrickgr1547 5 ай бұрын

Exactly what I’m dealing with, thanks.

@SparkyChannel 3 ай бұрын

Excellent!

@cjfazio3012 Жыл бұрын

Good video thanks👍🏻

@SparkyChannel Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@eosme 10 күн бұрын

What if at the junction box you test both wires and both beeps then what do you do?

@enerelmaaaa9641 2 жыл бұрын

thanks a lot mate 🙏

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

No worries!

@sparkyheberling6115 Жыл бұрын

Black wire to black wire. Got it. For consistency, shouldn't the black probe of the multimeter go to the black wire?

@michaelmclaughlin8474 2 жыл бұрын

Thank You…!!!

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

Welcome!!

@Bob.W. 11 ай бұрын

In my first house with knob and tube wiring I would clamp a grounding wire to the plumbing and use it to determine what wires were hot.

@5_fun_facts123 2 жыл бұрын

Fluke makes the best non contact circuit tester.

@SparkyChannel 2 жыл бұрын

For what it does, yes.

@louisquatorze9280 10 ай бұрын

What about the ground wire on the fixture?

@NewPhone-cz7rn 25 күн бұрын

I have those same wires, except 3. How do I tell which is neutral and which is ground??? TY

@Femur15 2 жыл бұрын

I have an electrical project in my home and I really thought about getting Wago’s to tie my conductors together, and I never did. They look so much easier to use compared to using regular wire nuts. It seems they are becoming more popular to use.

@SparkyChannel Жыл бұрын

It's all they use in Europe.