Jazz Report post Posted January 28, 2017 So there I am. The pump control junction box had an add-on electrical outlet for the arsenic scrubber led display. All the wires came loose. I had opened the panel it was a mess.. So I have a electrical outlet that I'm trying to reconnect it to. I know the black will go with the black (right junction box/top left screw) and the ground will go to the box- (although in that picture, the ground wasn't connected- at all. It was on the outside of the box). I guess my question is: Where do I connect the white wire too? It was my understanding that white only goes with white/grey wires. My guess is that it was attached to the yellow wire. Obviously I didn't hook this up initially.. And thank you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted January 28, 2017 I'm no expert, but does the white wire lead to the gfi outlet? If so, then it would be a neutral wire that would connect to a neutral busbar. Are the connecting terminals labeled with any letters? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buckskinmule Report post Posted January 28, 2017 Hello, I don't know you but you need to stop !!! Based on what I can see in your photos and your description someone's going to get hurt or worse.... My number is 623-695-1226 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couzer Report post Posted January 28, 2017 On the GFI there is a load side as well, gotta make sure that is wired correctly. White is usually your neutral, if that's the case it can be tied in the same place as your ground. Careful on the yellows, if your running 240-220 volts, they might be hot. Where do you live? Edit: like mention above, stop and be careful Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jazz Report post Posted January 28, 2017 Buckskin I called- I don't want this to be a "Hold my beer" moment =) LOL I put it on hold till I get more info. Going into town to do some shopping. With the research I came up with, it's a 220 volt system. Black to black- and the white is probably neutral. (I don't know if that will go to a ground screw in the box). It's a two wire system. With a GFCI I'm thinking that might be ok. I'll definitely get more info before I play around. Of course, the whole power grind will be down to this before I even think about it. I'm in New River, btw.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edge Report post Posted January 28, 2017 Buckskin I called- I don't want this to be a "Hold my beer" moment =) LOL I put it on hold till I get more info. Going into town to do some shopping. With the research I came up with, it's a 220 volt system. Black to black- and the white is probably neutral. (I don't know if that will go to a ground screw in the box). It's a two wire system. With a GFCI I'm thinking that might be ok. I'll definitely get more info before I play around. Of course, the whole power grind will be down to this before I even think about it. I'm in New River, btw.. Glad you can take good advice. I just finished working on my electric box for my shop. Some anxious moments with my screwdriver for sure.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted January 28, 2017 If a white is being used as a hot wire it should be wrapped at the end with redtape to indicate a live wire, but not always. Did you trace the wires from the breaker box? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
5guyshunting Report post Posted January 28, 2017 Maybe stop by home depot and pick up a wiggy voltage tester before sticking a screw driver in there. They are $20.00 and up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HuntHarder Report post Posted January 28, 2017 If it is indeed 240v, make sure that the guy who originally wired this is not using the ground as a neutral. This was/is a common practice for some hack electricians. They are bonded at your service panel, but should remain separate after that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted January 28, 2017 There are 3 & 4 wire setups for 220-240v systems. Only in a 4 wire setup will there be a white neutral wire. 3 wire 220v - black, red, ground 4 wire 220v- black, red, white, ground. The other colored wires are switched off the contactors, pressure switches, relays etc. I have seen people use 3 wire romex that has black, white, ground. They used the white as a lead without marking it with tape, which is a big no-no. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRDATR Report post Posted January 28, 2017 I have been doing electrical for 40 years and you need someone with a meter who is competent to trouble shoot it. AND, figure out if it was wired correctly in the first place. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle mountain ranch Report post Posted January 28, 2017 Get a meter ... From the picture I can't even see the white wire ?? The yellow wires in the pic look to feed One side of the coil on that contactor , and the set of contacts. Looks like Melvin might've wired that. Lol .. Get a meter !!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jazz Report post Posted January 28, 2017 If a white is being used as a hot wire it should be wrapped at the end with redtape to indicate a live wire, but not always. Did you trace the wires from the breaker box? I did. So when I got out there, there was 1 black wire from the add on electrical out connected to the other black wire.. I marked up the pic to show. There was a white wire- that had been attached to something, but it was in mid air. I'm assuming it was near the screw to the box like I found it. Maybe as a ground. The other ends of the black and white wire went to the box. Nothing of that setup is in the original pic. Once I figure out where the white wire goes, I'm set. But I think I'll still get that meter at home depot.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted January 29, 2017 If that white wire is connected to the neutral terminal on the gfi duplex outlet, then its definitely a neutral wire. Looks like someone hooked it to a ground terminal. Normally it would go to the neutral busbar in the breaker box. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HuntHarder Report post Posted January 29, 2017 As I mentioned above, some bad electricians use grounds as neutrals. This appears to be the case from the pictures I see. I can tell from the pictures that the wire is not romex, as the grounds have green insulation on them. This appears to be thhn wire. Having said that, I would get an electrician out there to give it a once over. Using the ground as a neutral works, but is frowned upon because it can lead to unsafe conditions. If you were to disconnect the ground wire going to the house panel ( breaker box), it could become the same potential as the circuit it is being used on (120v). This can lead to people getting shocked, metal water pipes carrying voltage, gas pipes carrying voltage, and pretty much anything that is grounded having the potential to become energized. Chances are, this will not happen, however I have seen it more times than I can count. Do yourself a favor, and either pull in a new circuit for your GFI containing a neutral, ground and hot leg or get an electrician out there to correct the wiring mess it appears you have. I am sure it is an easy fix, but grounds and neutrals are far more important than hot legs when it comes to safety. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
