As opposed to 12-2 with only black and white (plus a ground)... This is only was guess. What does the red wire do? I noticed in a professionally wired switched light in my house the red from the light was wired into the switch and the black was just capped. If I am doing a shed wiring project (maybe to power a band saw in the future) do I need to mess with the red wire (12-3 - if that is correct?)??? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
2007-09-15 07:36:53 · 10 answers · asked by ape54321 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Yes, the ground wire is not counted in that scheme. The 12 is the guage of the wire, lower number means it can safely carry more amperage.
2007-09-15 07:41:32 · answer #1 · answered by spacedude4 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
STOLI: There is no magic here, but you are about to HOSE yourself real quick. I'm going to guess that there are 2 TWO switches controlling this light fixture. This would explain why you have Black, Red, and white wires in the box. Light fixtures are NOT 220 volt. I'm not an electrician, and apparently you aren't either. I've wired several temporaries before, but have had NO SUCCESS with 3-way switches, which is what you are dealing with. Call An Electrician to relocate the switch for you. You cannot use 2 wire w/ground to replace 3 wire w/ground, because the switch you are wiring is going to send hot current down the bare ground. Good Luck.
2016-03-18 06:31:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
12-3 Wire
2016-10-01 22:13:33 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3-wire is used when wiring 3 and 4 way switches. It is also sometimes used to run a ceiling fan. The black wire would be hooked up to the light and the red would be hooked up to the fan. You would have two switched on the wall controlling each. The black wire is capped because they are not using it for the fan or light. If you have a ceiling fan installed, the red wire was used for both. If you have no ceiling fan, it might have been removed and just a light was put in! Feel free to contact me with any further questions. Good Luck!!!
2007-09-15 08:15:51 · answer #4 · answered by Wolfchevy3 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do yourself a favor, get a book on wiring.
12/3 refers to 12 AWG wire in the cable and 3 refers to the number of conductors. Red is the second hot leg or can be a switched hot, or a traveler.
12 AWG is used on 20 amp circuits. 14 AWG on 15 amp, 10 AWG on 30 amp.
Spacedude and Bsod are both idiots, who are just guessing answers. No such thing as a 2 way switch.
3-way or 4-way only, then the red and white become travelers. Get the book, you can't learn enough in this forum, to wire safely.
Just a reminder, if running a line out to a shed, you must use at least 12/2 type UF cable. Underground Feeder. Type NM may not be directly buried. I would run at least 10/3 to the shed with GFI circuit protection. And a branch panel in the shed.
- Taught National Electrical Code to journeymen electricians prepping for master examination.
2007-09-15 08:55:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
12-3 Uf Wire
2016-12-31 05:34:17 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 12/3 is just what you said , red , black, and white with a bare ground(or it may have a green covering). To put an outlet in your shed You should only need to use a 12/2 w/ground. Make sure to use a GFI (ground fault circuit for the shed). Good luck.If your not sure how to do it DON"T, get an professional to do it.
2007-09-15 07:46:10 · answer #7 · answered by gentleretiredworshipper 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You are correct about the 12-3. 4 conductor cable assemblies like that are used in certain circuits. A 12-3 cable could provide two 20 amp circuits. Or it could provide a 240 volt 20 amp, 4 wire circuit. To run a simple 20 amp 120 volt circuit, you would use 12-2 wire if the run was not longer than around 50 feet.
2007-09-15 15:38:32 · answer #8 · answered by John himself 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
3 wire cable is generally for a 120/240V. system.
It allows you to run two circuits with three wires.
(There are other uses, but that's the most common).
Sorry, but you need to know too much to explain
here.
I strongly advise you to get a book on home wiring
or an electrician. You're way over your head here.
2007-09-15 11:32:49 · answer #9 · answered by Irv S 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
yes your right
12-3 is to run three and two way switches
2007-09-15 07:44:17 · answer #10 · answered by Red Sawx ® 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋