How To Know If Unknown Wire Is "neutral Or Ground"?

handyman99

I'm trying to add an outlet from 2 wires that are just hanging out of the wall. I followed the wires to the attic and only one wire goes to the attic. The other wire went somewhere else.

I tested the one of the wires and found out that it's either a ground or a neutral. How do I find out for sure if this is a "ground" or "neutral". If it's a neutral, then this outlet I'm trying to add is almost complete. I will just need to run a hot wire to the wire in the attic. However, If it's a ground then I will need to run a new romex.

(PS. I posted the same question on DIY and the administrator there closed my thread and instructed me to go to this website.)

JumboJack

Oh boy.....

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

oldfrt

I hope this is on your own house!

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handyman99

I'm living in the house.

oldfrt

Rent or own?

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handyman99

It's not my place. However, the owner is paying me to do this. I'm asking for help to make sure I'm doing it correctly.

So how do I know if it's a neutral or ground wire?

oldfrt

Then hire a professional!!!!!!

You will be responsible for any problems and could face legal retribution.

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ChrWright

Is this knob and tube?

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Indianapolis Kitchen Remodeling Contractor - You Can Get There From Here

Celtic

Where is the closest fire hydrant?

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Teetorbilt

Your trade is "Plumber". I would suggest hiring an electrician. Two wires coming from different areas would be a serious bell-ringer for me.

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JumboJack

Maybe you're on to something..They might be the door bell wires...

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

Dustyrose

You do know that electricity is a dangerous thing. Right? You should probably tell your landlord to hire a professional.

What ya gonna do when this place goes into flames at 2am when your happy a$$ is asleep?

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handyman99

A professional will not do this job. That's the reason I got hired. The electrical in this house is not Code Compliant. A electrician will only rewire the whole house at some $5,000.

Can you please help me and let me know how to know if it's a neutral or ground?

JumboJack

If you don't know how to figure this out you should not go near electrical work..This is pretty basic stuff and the fact you don't have a clue should be a wake up call.

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

handyman99

I replaced a whole circuit breaker. I've worked on electrical for some 20 years. So I have some knowledge.

A professional will not take this job. The wiring in this house is not code complaint. Please help.

How do I know if the wire is neutral or ground?

ChrWright

There's a reason for that. You have got to be F-ing kidding me.

Do you know how many people die in house fires every year because of that kind of sh**??????????

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Christopher Wright, CR: President @ WrightWorks, LLC/President @ Central Indiana NARI, Named to the 2010 REMODELING Big50
www.WrightWorks.net - Facebook - Twitter - Carmel Remodeling
Indianapolis Kitchen Remodeling Contractor - You Can Get There From Here

handyman99

I'm sure it's not the doorbell wire. The doorbell works fine. Also, the door bell is usually thinner wires. These two wires are electrical for sure.

JumboJack

WOW!!! A whole circuit breaker!!??
20 years and you don't know how to identify wires???

__________________
in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

handyman99

No, I'm serious. This is a duplex, that at one point was one house, now it's a duplex again. So the electrical was changed from 2 meters, to one meter, and now back to 2 meters.

So can you help me. How do I find out if this wire is neutral or ground?

JumboJack

I am so glad I was not drinking anything when I read that because it would have most definitely shot out my nose!

__________________
in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber