Q&A for How to Wire an Electrical Socket

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  • Question
    Where is the green (ground) cable attached?
    L.B
    Community Answer
    The ground wire is looped around the green screw (terminal), usually located on the bottom of the wiring device.
  • Question
    How do I connect a very short wire to an electrical outlet?
    L.B
    Community Answer
    If the wire has been cut back too far to make wiring feasible, you will have to extend it by using a pigtail. To do this, you will need an extra piece of 12 AWG copper wire (6" should be enough) and a yellow wing wire nut. Strip back the wire half an inch on both sides. Twist together one side of the new wire with the existing wire using the wire nut (the copper ends must make contact inside of the wire nut). Connect the other end of your new wire to your wiring device as normal. For added safety, use electrical tape to secure the wiring nut and the wires together so they don't come loose.
  • Question
    How to connect earthing to ground?
    Community Answer
    In a modern network there should be a L,N,E network. The E should be green/yellow covered. In your technical/electrical locker all Earth wires are combined. This is usually done on a copper strip or a connection bar (usually green). From there the earth wires go to 'the earth'. This is or directly to the city's network but will mostly be a leaden loop laying below the foundations of your house. If it is an old house and there is no option to connect with the loop, what can be done is to hammer copper coated pins in the soil near the electrical locker. These pins should make a low resistance connection with the earth. This can be measured with a specific tool measurement tool.
  • Question
    How do you hook up a light switch?
    Community Answer
    This depends of the amount of switch points needed. 1 point: Single, 2 points: 2 Parallel, 3 points: Cross switch and 2 Parallel and 4 or more: Interruptor with push buttons. Follow specific instructions provided with the equipment or do a search online.
  • Question
    How do you connect earthing to ground?
    Garrie Nassau
    Community Answer
    Connecting earthing to a ground cable is an important safety step in electrical installations. Here are the steps to connect earthing to a ground cable: Identify the earthing conductor in the electrical panel. This is typically a bare or green wire. Locate the ground cable or grounding electrode. This is typically a metal rod or plate partially buried in the ground. Strip the end of the earthing conductor and the ground cable to expose two bare copper wire. Twist the ends of the two wires together. Use a wire nut or connector to secure the twisted wires together. Check that the connection is tight and secure. (These are general guidelines.)
  • Question
    How do you verify the earth (ground) wire is properly connected?
    Garrie Nassau
    Community Answer
    Use a multimeter. Connect it across the earth wire and neutral wire to check the voltage. Next, you have to check the voltage between the phase and the neutral. If both results are similar and below 2 volts, then the earthing (grounding) is properly connected and good to be used.
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