Arduino Controlled Relay Box

Step 3 Splicing the Wires

When you splice the extension cord wires you are likely to see one of two things.  Either your cord has three different color wires or it doesnt, but there ought to be three or this project won't work.  The three cords are as follows:

• Green - Ground Return
• Black - Hot Wire
• White - Neutral Wire

If your extension cord does not have three wires then you'll have a green wire in the middle, one smooth wire on one side which carries the voltage (The Black Wire), and one wire with ridges on the other side (The White Wire).  Double check these before you make any live electrical connections.  Even I messed this up and caught it just in time.

Your going to cut the extension cord about a foot from the end of the female plug.  Then split the three wires about 6 inches down.  Cut the black wire five inches from the end.  This should give you about one inch attached to the cord and a 5 inch extension that will go from your relay board to the outlet.

Next strip and tin the end of all the wires.  It's likely your wires are a collection of smaller wires, twisting them before tinning is a big help.  Then lay out everything and check it before moving on.