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Wire New Thermostat

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1:05
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Electrician Service Call, Troubleshooting a 24-Volt Thermostat for Heat in someone’s Home, Thoughts?

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What happens here

With the old thermostat removed, the electrician prepares the new thermostat's wall plate for wiring. He references a standard thermostat wiring diagram, which clarifies the function of each colored wire. He identifies the red wire as the main 24-volt power wire, which always connects to the 'R' terminal. The white wire, responsible for initiating the call for heat, is connected to the 'W' terminal. The yellow wire, which signals the call for cooling, is attached to the 'Y' terminal. He uses a power screwdriver to securely fasten each wire into its designated terminal on the new thermostat's base plate.

Goal: Connect the thermostat wires correctly to the new base plate.

Tools and materials

  • New Thermostat Wall Plate Honeywell Home — The mounting and wiring base for the new thermostat
  • Power Screwdriver Milwaukee — Securing wires into the thermostat terminals
  • Thermostat Wires — The existing wires from the HVAC system that connect to the thermostat
  • Wiring Diagram Generic — Visual guide for correct wire connections

What they say

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18 gauge. Tiny wire, not big enough to get zapped. So, I'm working live. I'm not saying to work live. You should never work live. Only when you have to schedule a shutdown if you need to. So, a thermostat is usually 24 volts. The red wire is the main power wire, which always goes on the R terminal of the thermostat. The call for heat wire goes on the W terminal of the thermostat, and the call for cool wire goes on the Y terminal of the thermostat. It may sound a little bit confusing, but it's not rocket science. I tell people in the field, you just got to do it to know. In electrical, you're always learning.

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