Wiring Outlets In Series Vs Parallel

To wire in parallel one connects the live and natural wires to the receptacle by a pigtail see image 1 below.

Wiring outlets in series vs parallel. Parallel wiring is used in homes because of the reliable self containment of each outlet or light fixture that allows current to flow past them even if they fail than to have. The neutral wire from the circuit is shared by both sets. This wiring is commonly used in a 20 amp kitchen circuit where two appliance feeds are needed such as for a refrigerator and a microwave in the same location. You can get these books at home improvement stores.

I understand that there are two ways to wire up receptacles. Parallel circuits are a bit trickier allowing multiple circuits to connect while operating individually as part of a larger circuit. Wiring in parallel gives greater reliability to the devices on the electrical circuit but larger electrical boxes and more wiring connections are required. In the following diagram it shows 2 lights connected in parallel then 2 lights connected in series.

In this article series we illustrate basic connections seen in the field for the black white neutral or grounded conductor and ground wire when hooking up an electrical receptacle wall plug or outlet. Much more common than series circuits are those wired in parallel including most household branch circuits powering light fixtures outlets and appliances. The bulbs in circuit a are arranged in series while the bulbs in circuit b are arranged in parallel. Either in series or in parallel.

Outlets and lights should be wired in parallel. Advantages and disadvantages of arranging bulbs in series or parallel now that we have gained a better understanding of what it means to arrange bulbs in series and in parallel let us discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these two arrangements. To wire in series one connects the live and neutral wires directly to the receptacles. If they were wired in series no current would pass through unless something was plugged into every outlet to complete the circuit and the combined resistance of more than one device would drop the volt.

A parallel circuit is also a closed circuit where the current divides into two or more paths before coming back together to complete the full circuit. Here 3 wire cable is run from a double pole circuit breaker providing an independent 120 volts to two sets of multiple outlets. And the more work you have a series circuit do the more your current will decrease. Ac receptacles are always wired in parallel.

Wiring outlets has to be done in parallel since that way should one outlet fail or a bulb inserted in one light fixture burn out the rest of the fixtures and appliances hooked up to that same line will keep working. Wiring diagram for dual outlets.