# wiring **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 27, 2011, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wiring/583442 "2011-05-27T16:08:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Wizard\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Wizard\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wizard_One)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wiring/583442/21 "2011-05-30T05:44:06Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I wasn’t talking about the colour. I was talking about the actual run of wiring: which was the original question. Schematically, flow wise, wire from breaker to switch. Wire from other end of the switch to fan/light. All white wires run through, connected white to white. Grounds hooked to the metal of the fixture and the boxes. White is the neutral, which eventually goes to ground. Black is hot. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wiring/583442/22 "2011-05-30T05:56:57Z")
Well, the OP hasn’t been back. Now I’m worried. ☹ Also, since we live in older houses that usually have renos done by previous homeowners, I would really prefer it if people only did renos that they’re qualified to do. It wasn’t particularly dangerous, but the basement in our last house didn’t seem to have a single right angle in it - the door frames in particular looked like they were out of Dr. Seuss! ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wiring/583442/23 "2011-05-30T21:30:47Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Physically, it doesn’t matter which wire goes to the breaker box. All that matters is that the circuit is connected properly from a schematic perspective, and is also compliant with all codes. I have to wonder if those commenting on this read it and also: > [@Leaffan](#): > > I wasn’t talking about the colour. I was talking about the actual run of wiring: which was the original question. As I have pointed out: > [@thelabdude](#): > > I interpreted your post as meaning which cable went to the box. Actually the black, white, and bare or green wires each have their proper places to connect to at the breaker box, fan, and switch. > > Anything with 2 or more single wires within an outer jacket should be called a cable, not a wire. So the cable coming from the breaker box can go to either the fan or the switch. > > And yes, when the white wire in a cable is hot, it should be marked black at the ends. The original post said the breaker box, not the breaker. It also said things must be code compliant. Calling a cable a wire is sloppy, but common, just like saying 110 volt. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wiring/583442/24 "2011-05-31T00:42:36Z")
> [@thelabdude](#): > > I have to wonder if those commenting on this read it and also: > > As I have pointed out: > The original post said the breaker box, not the breaker. It also said things must be code compliant. > > Calling a cable a wire is sloppy, but common, just like saying 110 volt. Fair enough, but you don’t run a single wire to a breaker box; you run a cable to a breaker box. Asking which “wire” runs to the breaker box screams out to me that he meant which cable. You may return to your previously scheduled posts now. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wiring/583442.md?page=1)