Connecting the ground wires properly in box
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Connecting the ground wires properly in box
Hi
I had to move a ceiling light fixture box (which I did) in my dining room. I noted that there are 3 wires coming into the box: a 14-3 which goes to the light switch; a 14-2 coming into the box from an outlet on one side of the room. This wire is bringing in the power. The last wire is another 14-2 going to an outlet on the other side of the room. This is the last outlet on the circuit.
Anyway, I made note that all whites are spliced together and all blacks are together leaving the red to go to the fixture. My question is about the ground wires. How do I connect the grounds? I am embarrassed asking this because it seems so simple. I am confused about whether they get connected to the junction box and to each other or whether they are just connected to each other. Do I put one to the box and the others go together.... AARGGHHH. Did I mention I am embarrassed?????
I had to move a ceiling light fixture box (which I did) in my dining room. I noted that there are 3 wires coming into the box: a 14-3 which goes to the light switch; a 14-2 coming into the box from an outlet on one side of the room. This wire is bringing in the power. The last wire is another 14-2 going to an outlet on the other side of the room. This is the last outlet on the circuit.
Anyway, I made note that all whites are spliced together and all blacks are together leaving the red to go to the fixture. My question is about the ground wires. How do I connect the grounds? I am embarrassed asking this because it seems so simple. I am confused about whether they get connected to the junction box and to each other or whether they are just connected to each other. Do I put one to the box and the others go together.... AARGGHHH. Did I mention I am embarrassed?????
#2
Member
We are here to help! The grounds all get tied together (with a wire nut) and if the box is metal, you need to run a wire from the box and tie it in with all the other grounds. Usually there is a threaded hole for this purpose. Your light fixture may also have a ground wire, which gets tied to all the others.
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks Carbide. Can I use one of the grounds to go to the box ground screw first and then tie it in with the other two? I left all the grounds long knowing I didn't know what to do with them!
#5
Can I use one of the grounds to go to the box ground screw first and then tie it in with the other two?