Which wire is hot and neutral? Both wires are white with no distinct markings. I need to replace the plug.?
Question:Its an old fan. The plug needs to be replaced. the wires are both white. Does it make a difference? Or do I need to know which is hot and neutral?
Answers:
The neutral has ribs on the outside of the wire and the hot is smooth
doesn't really matter, in most cases.
It doesn't make any difference. Just put one of the wires under each terminal.
With alternating current, it won't make any difference which way you wire your plug. Just make sure the connections to the new plug are secure.
It doesn't make any difference.
Fans are cheap so I'd just buy one.
However, if you want to go forth with this here is what to do:
1. Is the plug polorized ( one side larger than the other - the largest is the negative)
2. Plug it in so that it runs this way you'll know which is the negative side even if the plug is not polarized. (The side that is in the larger slot of the recepticle is the negative)
3. Open it up and trace the cord to the point where it screws in / or solders in.
4. Replace the plug & cord according to this informaton, screwing the black to where the old negative line was, and white(or red) to the positive connection point.
If its an old fan it will probably rotate backwards if reversed - it won't blow air it will draw air...this is how the reversing window fans work.
You do want to know for sure which wire is hot and which one is neutral. If you hook them up in reverse, you then you can set a trap for making other neutral wires "hot." This is a real common mistake by do-it-yourself electricians. The best way to identify which wire is hot is to buy an inexpensive voltmeter from the hardware store or radioshack. The last one I purchase cost $10.
Using the meter in the AC volts setting. Measure for voltage potential between one wire and a known ground. Then check the other.
If you find both wires are "hot" then what you probably have is a wire connection that is wired for a combination cieling fan and light. This is okay. In fact it is the preferred method.
If that is the case, you wire one white to the fan motor and the other to the light. If your fan has no light. Then put a wire nut over the extra hot wire and use electrical tape to completely insulate and cover the wire.
One other thing to keep in mind. When you connect the lamp switch and fan motor switch into the circuit, you will find that there the switch is "single pole." That means it has only connections for one wire. Be sure to put the switch into the "hot leg." That way when you turn the fan or light off, you are actually interrupting the hot wire, and not the neutral return path.
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