What is Wiring: Definition and 167 Discussions

Electrical wiring is an electrical installation of cabling and associated devices such as switches, distribution boards, sockets, and light fittings in a structure.
Wiring is subject to safety standards for design and installation. Allowable wire and cable types and sizes are specified according to the circuit operating voltage and electric current capability, with further restrictions on the environmental conditions, such as ambient temperature range, moisture levels, and exposure to sunlight and chemicals.
Associated circuit protection, control and distribution devices within a building's wiring system are subject to voltage, current and functional specification. Wiring safety codes vary by locality, country or region. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is attempting to harmonise wiring standards amongst member countries, but significant variations in design and installation requirements still exist.

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  1. G

    NEWB - LED Tail light wiring diagram

    Hello. So I have a pair of LED tail lights that are operated by 2 modules. One is for Dimming, Braking and strobe function, and the other is for Turn signal blinking. One tail light is wired to the other through a wire harness and then the wires for dimming and brake function come out the other...
  2. caters

    House circuit wiring for 48Vdc and 240Vac

    For building the electrical lines of this house on New Earth that I am building I have a voltage of 48 volts from batteries that get electricity from my waterwheels, wind turbines, and solar panels. This goes through an inverter to give me 240 volts of AC electricity. There is a small circuit...
  3. N

    What is the purpose/function of negative and positive wiring

    This question pertains to all things negative and positive. Such as: batteries, wirings, and atoms. Mainly my confusion comes from the actual purpose. For instance, why does a battery need a negative and positive wire? what function does this serve? why is this distinction of negative and...
  4. sunergeo

    Determining correct wiring for an old washing machine motor

    I have an old washing machine that finally bit the dust, so I've decided to attempt several projects with its remains. I want to try to make a mechanical chicken plucker using the tub and motor. I've disassembled and salvaged all the useful parts and scrap metal, but when it got down to trying...
  5. B

    Understanding Cell Phone Wiring for House Hold Phone Jacks

    I know that a House Hold Phone Jack gives the Phone pluged into it the Low Level Powere to work. And I always see in movies and Hear how if you have just a Cell Phone you can take the Wire right from the Phone Jack and connect them to the Cell Phone. I do not understand this because even...
  6. C

    Need to learn how to make wiring diagrams

    I recently graduated with a bachelors in Mech Eng and have been asked to create some wiring and line diagrams for UL approved industrial control panels for my first job. I need some good resources to guide me through this... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
  7. B

    How Can I Connect Two Switches to One Hot Wire?

    If I have two S.P.S.T Switches and I have one Hot Wire but I want both Switches to get power at the same time I can do this. I take my one Hot Wire and put a Wire Nut on it then connect two Wires to that same Wire Nut. Is this called a Pig Tail? Thanks
  8. A

    Help with Counter Wiring Problem Statement

    Problem Statement . I am trying to create a 12 bit counter with a combination of 4 bit counters (74191 Spec Sheet: http://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/7831/NSC/74191.html) I cannot figure this out for he life of me. I'm honestly not understanding many of the circuits we have...
  9. E

    Car battery/ aux battery wiring question

    I have a diesel van that has a dual battery starting system. Each battery has 850CCA. I have 75w of roof mounted solar panels that are running through a 100amp controller and charging an aux battery that has 55amp hours. All batteries are 12v. I would like to be able to charge my aux...
  10. S

    Circuit wiring on an appliance

    Hi there! I recently tried adding an on-off switch, a timer and a control dial (like a dimmer switch for the heating coil) to my unit. See diagrams attached. I also rewired a fan wire. Instead of the complicated circuit diagram (see first attachment), I have shown the equipment wiring in...
  11. E

    Best oscilloscope for home and office wiring?

    I wonder if there is a ranking of oscilloscopes by an independent organization, which compares them for different uses? Well, I am a newbie looking for one at a lower cost for home and office inspection. It would be nice if it were simple to use! Apparently the G/S or Stetzer meter can just...
  12. C

    Wiring a gate driver correctly (keeps burning out)

    I bought the TC4421 to drive a IRFP250N power MOSFET. I'm using a 12v battery as the power source, and an Arduino to make a square wave input at ~1kHz. I have things wired this way: TC4421: GND to ground VDD to +12v line on battery Input to PWM output from Arduino Output to gate of IRFP250N...
  13. D

    Industrial Electrical Wiring Codes/Practices

    I'm a mechanical engineer by training. At my current job, I'm designing automation equipment for various processes. Part of that design involves designing basic power circuits to power all the Controllers, robots, PLCs, sensors, etc.. I'm looking for national or state (Massachusetts) codes on...
  14. H

    Home Wiring Questions: Hot, Neutral, Ground Voltage

    There is supposed to be 120VAC between hot and neutral as well as between hot and ground. Why is there no voltage between neutral and ground though? Why does current only flow from hot to neutral and not neutral to hot? Is neutral grounded?
  15. M

    Help Understanding Wiring Diagrams.

    Hello All, I was wondering if anyone can help me interpret these wiring schematics. As some know, I am trying to use a stepper motor to generate power. The motor can be wired in both unipolar and bipolar configurations. From my research, it seems to get the most power a Bipolar configuration...
  16. I

    Wiring Generator: Connect 3 Phase Wild AC

    I have two wind turbines that I am trying to wire up for power generation. They are three phase wild ac. I have a charge controller setup with dump resistor but I want to know if I can take the wires and connect each of the three wires to their counter part from the other generator and then...
  17. A

    Help Wiring a 30 HP Toshiba AC Motor - Ian Needs Assistance

    I hope someone can help me. I have an old 30 HP motor that I need to get working...if possible. It is a 12 wire Toshiba, dual voltage. 230V 460V. To wire for the low voltage the nameplate says: connect wires 4,8,10 and 2 to supply 1. Wires 9,5,11 and 3 to supply 2 and Wires 6,7,12 and 1...
  18. J

    110V wiring question (what to use, to provide minimal power to LED driver)

    :smile: Okay folks... Not sure where to turn to at this moment (I'm stuck, and need some help!)... however, I am working this from two angles as I also have the China manufacturer (of my LED pendant lighting) trying to figure this out too. I'll start with; I'm not an elect.engineer and will...
  19. H

    Can someone resolve an argument over audio amplifier and wiring theory?

    Hey, I'm sorry to bother you guys but I got a quick question I was hoping you guys could answer. I was just hoping someone had a definitive explination as to why a $500 audio amplifier that can put out 200 watts per channel will sound exactly the same as a $10,000 amplifier putting out 200 watts...
  20. M

    Mitsubishi Pajero 1995 Intercooler Turbo: Power Locking Wiring

    Hey guys, Doing a project with my Mitsubishi Pajero 1995 Intercooler turbo 3door. I've just got a simple question about the power locking wiring in the drive side door panel. I've attached an image. When detached like this and the white/black is connected to 12v the doors open (not the...
  21. Newtons Apple

    How do telephone companies locate and repair broken wires in underground piping?

    Hey everyone... Not sure if this is the right section, but here goes.. In studying the telephone network, I've been wondering.. I know that connected to the land line telephone in your house, is a twisted pair cable that leads from your house, meets up with a few lines from the neighboring...
  22. I

    Is 18/2 Doorbell Wire Safe for Wiring 110v to SSR?

    I'm new to projects requiring high voltage, but I need to wire 110v to an SSR controlling a device that pulls 2 amps and all I can find in my shop is some 18/2 doorbell wire. Is this safe to use?
  23. S

    Newbie accelerometer wiring question

    Hi everyone, I have an adxl193 analog accelerometer (http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9332) that I am trying to interface with a phidget i/o board (http://www.phidgets.com/documentation/Phidgets/1011_0_Product_Manual.pdf). I am having trouble calibrating the signal because the acceleration...
  24. S

    Question on wiring fire wire to usb wire?

    Can i wire fire wire to usb wire? What i mean is cut one end off on a fire wire and one end off a usb wire and wire the two together would that work?
  25. T

    How can I use a three phase WYE alternator to charge a battery with a DC output?

    So I am trying to figure out how to wire a three phase generator. I understand the WYE connection, but I am stumped about the load connections and specifically what to do then. The generator will be connected to a wind turbine so I will be needing to charge batteries. So my main question is...
  26. T

    Three Phase Generator Wiring for Wind Turbine Battery Charging

    So I am trying to figure out how to wire a three phase generator. I understand the WYE connection, but I am stumped about the load connections and specifically what to do then. The generator will be connected to a wind turbine so I will be needing to charge batteries. So my main question is...
  27. D

    Novel Guitar Wiring Idea need technical advice PLEASE

    Hi Everyone, I appreciate any useful feedback and advice on this project as honestly it has become the bane of my existence and a real downer everytime i look at my half assembled guitar. Guitar? yes guitar and I know one might be tempted to dismiss this post or just refer me to the myriad of...
  28. G

    Some noob questions on wiring LEDs, current, etc.

    I'm making a wearable project that involves me wiring up about 16 LEDs into a piece of clothing. Unfortunately, it's been many a year since I took a physics course and I'm a little rusty on things. Here's my situation: The LEDs drop about 2V each, and are meant to be used with a current of...
  29. S

    Circuits with Series and Parallel Wiring

    I attached the problem. I'm pretty confused. I remember the equations for parallel and series circuits, but I have no idea how to do this. I attempted, but failed. I know the two 10 ohm resistors are in parallel (so Rnet is 5), and the 20 ohm and the 6 ohm resistor are in series (So Rnet is 26)...
  30. T

    Help with electromagnets wiring method

    I am curious to know, why on a electromagnet that the wire coming in is on the opposite side to the wire leaving? Is it due to the way the current comes in and leaves, as in the anticlockwise field in the north so incoming and the outgoing is clockwise south. When I say a electromagnet I...
  31. P

    Basic single phase electric motor wiring help

    i have a 20 year old electric garage door motor that i cut out of the housing and kept but threw away the rest as garbage. now that i want to use the motor, i have no recollection of how the wiring worked. it is a very clean basic motor made by samsung. it's a 120 volt, 5 amp, single phase...
  32. P

    Proper Wiring of Old Washing Machine Motor

    I recently purchased an old small drill press. It hosts a retasked old washing machine motor as the power source. Only problem is that the wiring was snafu, and I could use some help with that. This is a FSP motor, 115 volt 1725 rpm, 1/3 horsepower. The motor input wiring are to a set of...
  33. S

    Wiring 100 LEDs - Advice Needed

    Hi I am making a project in my spare time and i am getting quite confused with the whole situation. I have 100 LED's that need to be wired up, my first question is what is best to wire them up in, series or parallel? My power source is a 9V alkaline battery and i need to know if a...
  34. M

    Help w/ Single Phase AC Motor wiring? (not HW)

    Hey all. I have an old garage door opener motor. Its a 1/3 HP, 1000 RPM, 115 volt, 3.6 amp, AC Motor (Am I correct in thinking its single phase?). I'm attempting to motorize a grain mill that I have in the kitchen. (the faster I can grind the wheat the faster my wife can make homemade bread...
  35. S

    Piezoelectric generator wiring question

    Hello, I am working on science fair project in which I am harvesting kinetic energy and converting it into electrical energy to charge an electrical device. However, i would appreciate another opinion on the setup of my circuit. Currently, my setup is as follows: I am using a piezoelectric...
  36. C

    Audio/Video DIY headphone wiring (nylon-stranded wire)

    I've connected the 3 wires as shown in the picture: GROUND, GREEN, and RED (the latter 2 having their enamel removed). [PLAIN]http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/4133/nylonstranded.jpg But I'm getting only low-volume (un-amplified) sound. Now, if I connect either GREEN or RED wire to the...
  37. O

    Domestic wiring problems/magnetic fields

    We have magnetic fields (strong enough to spin a compass needle round 360 degrees) generated along the lengths of our household wiring. I haven't measured the strengths of these fields yet because I am trying to decide what to buy to do this. I presume that I need a gauss meter. I have been...
  38. K

    Household Wiring Setup: Jacuzzi, Light Switch, Fridge & AC

    This is how the wiring is set up in the basement I am renting out: On one circuit, there is a jacuzzi and a pond pump, both which run 24/7. There is a porch light that is controlled by a light switch inside. It is set up such that in order to keep the pump and jacuzzi running, you have to...
  39. B

    Motor wiring - will phases be unbalanced?

    Ok an easy post to settle a discussion. I have posted two rough diagrams below. One shows a 3 phase motor connected directly to the supply through a 10Amp MCB for protection and a second single phase load connected via an MCB again. Now in theory if I was remove the 2nd MCB and connect the...
  40. F

    Resistance in a circuit caused by the wiring

    Recently, I made a laptop cooler using an old CPU fan (rated 12V, 0.37A) I removed from a desktop. The cooler was comprised of the cooling fan, a base for the laptop to go on, and a DC power adapter (rated 12V, 1A)...nothing too complicated. Now from what I know, the current being drawn by the...
  41. J

    Simple theory question on capacity of wiring

    First post, simple question. Oddly enough, there is great dissention amongst my circle of friends as to just what forces are at work here. Of note, neither myself nor my friends are electrical engineers . . . . . obviously. I have a power source. . . . . . say 110 V AC. I have a 12 gauge...
  42. G

    Wiring a 115/230 VAC Power Supply Without a Wall Plug

    I have a power supply with an input of 115/230 VAC. There is no wall plug wired to it, just cut wires. I don't have much experience with this. If I wire this to a cord can I plug it into the wall (120 volts)?
  43. G

    Wiring a HeNe Laser - Step-by-Step Guide

    I just purchased a HeNe laser with a power supply that came with it. I am not sure how to wire the powersupply to test the laser. There are 4 input wires, Brown, Blue, Green and white. The output is already plugged in correctly. I can take pictures if needed.
  44. E

    Troubleshooting PIC18F45J10 Wiring with PICKit2 Programmer

    Hi, I am attempting to wire a PIC18F45J10 to my PICKit 2 Programmer and I'm running into difficulties. My PICKit2 is reporting a VPP and VDD Voltage level error. Troubleshooting it further tells me that I have a VDD short. I have attached my wiring diagram along with the general wiring...
  45. L

    Need help with light fixture transformer wiring distance

    I have a low voltage light fixture with a 12-volt transformer at the top of the fixture where it mounts to the ceiling. I would like to move the transformer to the closet where the source of the wiring for the fixture and my fuse panel reside. I am wondering if the distance is too great for...
  46. turbo

    Fixing Home Wiring: A Tale of "Surprise" and Gratitude

    OK, it wasn't all that fun. A few days ago, my kitchen light fixture over the sink started acting up - not working or working only intermittently. The box over the sink contains a two-up receptacle and a switch. I figured that the switch was toast, so I prepared to wire in a new one. Imagine...
  47. M

    How do I wire a fluorescent ballast for a 2G11 base and multiple bulbs?

    Hello, This should be a simple question for you guys. I want to buy something very similar to this http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/4850/AU-LPLL18UV.html". How do I connect it to a battery or the outlet? I know I need a ballast and some type of socket but what kind? How do I wire it? I'm...
  48. E

    Strange Motor Wiring: 6 Motors, 200HP, 380V 50Hz

    hey guys... i have 6 motors at work, 380V, 50Hz, 200 HP. the terminals are labeled 1,2,3,7,8 and 9. continuity test showed that 1,2,3 are connected together, and 7,8,9 are connected together. how is that possible ?? am i missing something ?? note that that is the case in all 6 motors. thx
  49. M

    Actual Scenario Qualitative Wiring Problem

    There is this one question on my physics homework that has been eluding me for quite a while. The problem itself is simple and is built upon common sense yet for some reason I can't wrap my head around it. The problem reads that the installation instructions for connecting an outlet to the...
  50. F

    Understanding the Role of the Red Wire in Wiring Smoke Detectors

    wiring in smoke detector...?... Hello Forum, simple question about wiring in a house smoke detector. It operates at 120 V. Two wires, the black (hot) and white (neutral) are enough. There is a 3rd wire, red, to interconnect multiple alarms: if one rings all the others ring too... The...
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