How to Read Wire Diagrams

As technology advances, it becomes more and more difficult to understand wiring diagrams. Sadly with everyday appliances becoming more and more complex, it is almost a necessity to be able to decipher these diagrams so you can accurately troubleshoot. Follow the procedures below to read a wire diagram.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Get a copy of the diagram that is portable, easy to read and easy to write on.

2. Find the part that is not working properly or giving you trouble, and begin from there. Find that spot both on your electrical grid and on your wire diagram.

3. Find which wire on your diagram is supplying the power and the positive charge, and follow that back to its source. If there is a switch in the way, pretend it is closed, completing the circuit. Study your diagram to determine which circuits and wires are headed where, which outlets lead to which wires and circuits and which circuits lead to which breakers.

4. Mark the wire with a highlighter or a marker.

5. Highlight the wire that is providing the ground, using a different color. Look for a ground symbol or something that describes common ground.

6. Check where the wire connects to other wires. Intersecting wires does not mean that they are connected. If they are connected, there will be a large black circle at the point of intersection signifying a connection.

Tips & Warnings

• Have a magnifying glass handy because some thing may be hard to read.
• Realize where wires cross and where they intersect. Mixing them up will send you following the wrong wire.