Identifying wires for XPS3

[rishum]

I'm new to the X10 platform, and home wiring in general so I was hoping someone could help me identify the different wires in my switch box and recommend how to proceed. The white and orange (neutral and ground?) seem to be in the back, but i'm not sure - including how to access them. I'm trying to install the XPS3/WS13A. Thanks in advance!

[dave w]

This won't be much help, but: Do you have a meter?

By NEC standards, white should be neutral. White can be used in a switch loop, but it is supposed to be somehow differentiated as "not white". Other than that,  other colors can be used to indicate "hot" and "switched hot". Your local codes may be helpful.

Your conduit should be grounded so with that "ground" you can use a meter to help you find Hot and Neutral. The blue loop might be hot and the yellow is switched hot to the fixture.

If new construction, I would call the contractor.

[Brian H]

I don't think you have a Neutral wire in the box.

I suspect like dave w did.
The Blue maybe a hot line wire and the yellow the one to the load.

The red and grey lopped though the electrical box. Should not be a neutral.

[Dr.Fiero]

Just throwing this out there....  Where are you located??

Might help to figure out that (bizzare?) color coding.  Only ever seen blk/wht/red in residential wiring!

[rishum]

I'm in Chicago... this is a new construction built in the last 2-3 years...

[Brian H]

Do you know if your higher power devices are 240 or 208 volts?
Not too common, but there are housing developments and apartments. Wired three phase. 208 Volts between any two Lines and 120 between any Line and Neutral.

[rishum]

I think they're 240...

[Mellowmark]

The blue is hot and the yellow is the switch leg. The conduit is green ground. The orange is another hot or switch leg to something else.  The white is most likely neutral. If you need it you will have to find out where it goes. Then pull some back, or pull a new one in from point to point so you have enough to splice. Chicago has rules that will not allow for romex. so every thing is in pipe.  It is nice when you need to add a wire or new splice like yourself.  One thing you need to check is if, you have high voltage 277 / 480  there is a very slim chance that the two wire in the loop (back of box) are high voltage. Be carefull , and find out before you plan on connecting any thing to them. Most new installation use orange for high voltage and the new code requires that a label be placed at the panel for color code identification.

You will not find a white wire marked as a hot inside a conduit. That would be a violation. That practice is only used when the white is the only other conductor in a prefabricated cable or assembly.  Your picture shows two conduits in the jbox.
Good Luck.

[dave w]

One thing you need to check is if, you have high voltage 277 / 480  there is a very slim chance that the two wire in the loop (back of box) are high voltage.

rishum,

You need to check with a meter, but what does the switch control? A common lighting fixture using incandescent light bulbs will probably be 120V. Other devices like a flourescent ceiling fixture in a condo building could be higher voltage. Like everyone has said...be careful.

[rishum]

This particular one just controls a simple incandescent light bulb - but the other switches have similar wiring. Thanks for the advice. I'm definitely going to do my homework on this one before I attempt anything - including checking with a meter. Might even need to get a professional to check this if I'm unsure...

[dave w]

This particular one just controls a simple incandescent light bulb - but the other switches have similar wiring. Thanks for the advice. I'm definitely going to do my homework on this one before I attempt anything - including checking with a meter. Might even need to get a professional to check this if I'm unsure...

Well the good news is; it appears you have everything in the box that you need for XPS3 i.e hot, load, and neutral.   

[rishum]

Yeah - its the orange one which baffled me (but I'll probably just leave it alone for now).

Any suggestions on whats the best way to wire the neutral? Thanks again guys - you've been awesome

[Brian H]

Which one is Neutral?
I don't see any white wires in the box. Just a few that look like the box was exposed when the wall was painted with white paint.

[rishum]

I was under the impression the white/gray one in the back is the neutral...

[dave w]

Which one is Neutral?
I don't see any white wires in the box. Just a few that look like the box was exposed when the wall was painted with white paint.

You might be right. I was looking at that light colored loop through, assuming it to be a neutral.  rishum or an electrician will just have to compare it to the conduit ground to figure it out.