Is the line or load a hot wire?
Content
By the end of this article, you should know if a line or load wire is a hot wire and have a basic understanding of what those wires are and how they work.
The terms "line" and "load" are used to refer to electrical wires that supply power to a device (line) from a source and transfer power to other devices along the circuit (load). There are other phrases used to refer to the same terms, including upstream and downstream, and incoming and outgoing wires.
Typically, both line and load wires work interchangeably, which means that both wires can function as either a hot wire or a neutral wire, depending on how it is being used. The wire that supplies power from the source to the device is the load wire, and the device is the line. The line also supplies power to other devices in the circuit, at which point it becomes the load..
What you need to know about the terms "line" and "load" in electrical systems
Both words "Line" and "Load" are often used in the meaning of one device and an electrical box.
In other words, the wire that carries power to the box is the line wire, the incoming wire, or the upstream wire. On the other hand, wires that carry power to other devices are called load, outgoing, or downstream wires.
It is worth noting that each of these terms refers to a specific position of a device in a circuit.
This is because the line wire for the outlet will become the load wire for the next outlet in the circuit. It should also be noted that the terms "line wire" and "load wire" have different uses at different locations in an electrical system.
Service entrance and main panel: what is it?
In the electrical system, the incoming flow from the utility company is transferred directly to the electricity meter line.
It then continues on its way from the loading point to power the line part of the electrical or disconnected service panel. Let me mention here that the service panel will also have load and line connections where the line feeds the primary switch inside the service panel.
Likewise, each break in a branch circuit is considered a load wire with respect to the main breaker.
When we talk about circuits, electrical devices such as sockets, lights and switches are connected to the manifolds in the circuit.
When you select the first device, the line wire is the one that goes from the service panel directly to the device, and the load wire is the one that goes from the first device to the next downstream in the circuit. The line becomes the power source from the first device to the second device.
This means it becomes a load wire that goes to a third device and then the chain continues.
What are GFCI outlets?
When it comes to connecting GFCI receptacles, also known as ground fault circuit breakers, line and load wires are essential.
Essentially, GFCIs have two different pairs of screw terminals that connect the wires. One of the pairs is labeled "Line" and the other is labeled "Load".
When connected to the line terminals, the receptacle will only protect the same receptacle with GFCI.
However, when connected to both line and load terminals using two sets of pigtails or two electrical cables, the connection provides GFCI protection for both the outlet and other standard outlets downstream. (1)
How does a line connection work?
If you want to connect a low-voltage circuit, such as one that powers a landscape or a doorbell, the line connection is the part of the circuit where you have standard full voltage, like in a house. (2)
Usually it is about 120 volts. The mains connection is made in the lower half of the junction box.
Sometimes line wires are marked with "pwr" or "line" or other lightning symbols.
On some common switches, you will find a wire connected to a silver or black screw. This is always different from the colors of the other screws used on the switch. So keep an eye on that when looking for line wire.
How does load connection work?
The load connection supplies power from the circuit to the device or device.
For example, if you want to make a load connection for a lighting circuit, you can add the total wattage of the lights in that particular circuit to find out the maximum potential power or total load that the load connection consumes for all the lights connected to it. scheme.
When it comes to connection, the line connection is often connected to the top half of the switch.
So, if you see a wire coming from the top of the junction box, you can be pretty sure it's a load wire.
How does grounding work?
In addition to connecting to the line and load, the earth fault connection is also an integral part of the electrical system.
While the line and load wires function interchangeably as power and neutral wiring components, the ground wire provides an additional path for the safe return of electrical current to earth.
With grounding, you don't have to worry about any dangers that can occur when a short circuit occurs.
So how does grounding work? You connect a copper conductor from the metal pole of the electrical wiring system to the load terminal to make a ground connection for the service panel.
When it comes to load colors and line wires, you should be aware that they are different.
They range from black wire, red, grey, yellow, brown, white, blue and green with yellow stripes to bare copper. None of them has a standard color. However, you can tell which is which by checking the colors of the insulation.
Summing up
So, is it a line or hot wire load? In this article, I have explained how the line electrical wire and the load wire work.
As mentioned, both work interchangeably, meaning that both can function as a hot or neutral wire, depending on how it is being used.
Take a look at some of our articles below.
- What color is the load wire
- How to test a GFCI socket with a multimeter
- Is it possible to connect the red and black wires together
Recommendations
(1) pigtail — https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g30471416/pigtail-styling-ideas/
(2) landscape – https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/
landscape/
Video link
