Wire marking tips-tricks

11 years ago

What are some tips, tricks, techniques and materials for marking the individual conductors inside a box? I have some 2-gang and 3-gang boxes which have SPST, SPDT and DPDT (regular, 3-way and 4-way) switches in them. I am planning to pull the switches so as not to lose the ears when the drywall is installed, and would like everything to work the first time with no arc-ing and sparking when I put the devices back.

I did all the wiring (pulled permits) and it all works, but even though it works I have been known to have issues when, say, a switch wears out and I go to replace it.

Thanks for any assistance.

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Comments (4)

PRO
Taylor Electrical Solutions, LLC
11 years ago
Get a number book for electrical wires and put a number on each wire then on a piece of paper write down where each number goes. Just so you know for the future a 3way is not a SPDT its just a 3way and a 4way is just a 4way, DPDT has 2 contract that open when the switch is off and close when the switch is on it will say "on off" on it. A 4way has a contract that alternates between the other contact when it is moved up or down, there is no "on off" on the switch
User
11 years ago
"DPDT has 2 contract that open when the switch is off and close when the switch is on it will say "on off" on it." - - That would be called a DPST.

A 3-way IS just the American name for a SPDT, and a 4-way is just the American name for a DPDT that is internally wired for the specific purpose.
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User
11 years ago
I always put the cables into the box in the correct order according to where the switch goes. Then, if there is still a chance that it isn't obvious, after making up all the ground wires and neutral wires, I might twist the pigtailed ground wires around each set of wires for each switch. But, that has never been necessary.
PRO
Taylor Electrical Solutions, LLC
11 years ago
Ok that makes sense I guess I always mixed up the names of the switches