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    RMAYNEHESS's Avatar
    RMAYNEHESS Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Mar 8, 2008, 06:52 PM
    Old wire identification
    This old house was wired in 1935, the two wire circuit has one tan wire and one tan with black stripe, which is the hot wire? I think I have a couple of circuits that may be reversed.
    Flying Blue Eagle's Avatar
    Flying Blue Eagle Posts: 2,056, Reputation: 225
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    #2

    Mar 8, 2008, 07:14 PM
    RAYNEHESS - On older houses with only 2 wires separated by about a 1' apart I have found the that the wire that has the( extra stripe )on it is the( HOT ) wire. THE wires (OLD) that I have found in this area were both BLACK , except one would have the white stripe on it and was the HOT wire . TO BE SURE IF A WIRE IS HOT OR NOT <go to Lowe's OR HOME DEPOT in their elect .dept and get you a ( GREENLEE CIRCUIT TESTER) THEY only run about $12.00 and they come in handy all the time, I use mine for a lot of elect. Reasonsand sometime it may save your life, when you think a circuit is off and it may NOT BE , but with this you know for sure in a second, It works on allvoltages I believe up to 1000 volts.
    HOPE I have helped you, with your question, IF I have ,rate my answer below Good luck & GOD BLESS ::: F.B.E.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #3

    Mar 9, 2008, 09:12 AM
    I would also remove Panel Cover, It will tell a lot.
    RMAYNEHESS's Avatar
    RMAYNEHESS Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Mar 9, 2008, 05:28 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by RMAYNEHESS
    This old house was wired in 1935, the two wire circuit has one tan wire and one tan with black stripe, which is the hot wire? I think I have a couple of circuits that may be reversed.
    I have 4 circuits with the old wire coming into the new 200 amp panel, 2 of the circuits have wire with black stripe for neutral and solid tan attached to breaker. The other two have wire with black stripe attached to breaker and solid tan to neutral. When I was changing a light in the bath I found the light switch was switching the neutral wire. I suspect the wires were switched in the panel box when it was installed.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #5

    Mar 9, 2008, 06:37 PM
    It should switch hot and not neutral, in very old houses, it may be easier to reidentify wires.
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