condoowner
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- Joined
- Dec 6, 2009
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Hello,
I have removed the outlets in my kitchen to install a backsplash and having completed the installation of it, I now want to install the outlets back.
The problem is that I forgot to document or take note of how the wiring was connected to the outlets. Normally this would be no big deal since I have a general good understanding of electricity & I could simply put the outlets back the way I think they were installed but I have some concerns.
Refer to my attached picture for nomenclature...
At first, I had no idea of how the wiring was done and which breaker was controlling what.. I had done no testing (bad boy!). SO I simply installed a conventional outlet to locations A, & C, and GFCI's to D & E. I went to turn the breaker 26 & 28 and the main tripped! (not good!).
I immediately rtemoved everything and did some testing.
I have found that:
There are 3 breakers in the main panel (18/20, 26/28 & 6/8) controlling the kitchen outlets (marked by the electrician as so on the panel nomenclature sticker)
Breaker 6/8 controls Outlet B (not sure if fed directly from main since it uses 3 wires)
Breaker 18/20 controls the left wire of outlet A, right wire is dead. Again, not sure if fed directly from main because of the 3 wires.
Breaker 26/28 controls the left wire of outlet C, right wire is dead. Again, not sure if fed directly from main because of the 3 wires.
Outlets D & E are never alive so I assume they are fed from another outlet. I have marked in purple the possible path I think of..
So now to the questions:
If all else fail, I will call an electrician.
I appreciate any answers!!
Thanks!
I have removed the outlets in my kitchen to install a backsplash and having completed the installation of it, I now want to install the outlets back.
The problem is that I forgot to document or take note of how the wiring was connected to the outlets. Normally this would be no big deal since I have a general good understanding of electricity & I could simply put the outlets back the way I think they were installed but I have some concerns.
Refer to my attached picture for nomenclature...
At first, I had no idea of how the wiring was done and which breaker was controlling what.. I had done no testing (bad boy!). SO I simply installed a conventional outlet to locations A, & C, and GFCI's to D & E. I went to turn the breaker 26 & 28 and the main tripped! (not good!).
I immediately rtemoved everything and did some testing.
I have found that:
There are 3 breakers in the main panel (18/20, 26/28 & 6/8) controlling the kitchen outlets (marked by the electrician as so on the panel nomenclature sticker)
Breaker 6/8 controls Outlet B (not sure if fed directly from main since it uses 3 wires)
Breaker 18/20 controls the left wire of outlet A, right wire is dead. Again, not sure if fed directly from main because of the 3 wires.
Breaker 26/28 controls the left wire of outlet C, right wire is dead. Again, not sure if fed directly from main because of the 3 wires.
Outlets D & E are never alive so I assume they are fed from another outlet. I have marked in purple the possible path I think of..
So now to the questions:
- Do you think my sketch is right, that is, are the purple connections correct?
- If so, How can I install GFCI's to the outlets D & E with 3 wires? If they are feeding something else (hence the 3rd wire?) would that pose a problem?
- Why is there a red wire in each outlet? Whats the purpose of it? As far as I know prior to stripping the kitchen, none of these outlets were controlled by a switch.
- I have checked, all light switches and light fixtures are on a separate unrelated breaker
If all else fail, I will call an electrician.
I appreciate any answers!!
Thanks!
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