Junction bars

[Lit'l Shinee]

I am in the final stages of a complete rewire of my TD and would like some input on a question. The searches I have done didn't come up with much so here goes.

Am installing new wiring for the interior lights but I want to leave room for future expansion of other lights or maybe a 12v fan on this circuit. I want it where all items on the circuit can be attached or removed individually. It is my intention to make this happen in as clean a manner as possible I don't want to put it together with butt connectors that would require cutting wires to fix or change out something. So, that brings up the following question.

If I use a studded junction bar, will the whole bar be hot when I attach the main feed from the breaker panel or do I have to individually power each stud with a jumper wire? Basically, I don't know if the stud posts are hooked together internally or not.

Better ideas for making this happen accepted and appreciated if you have them.

Thanks,

Shinee

[Corwin C]

I have seen both where the studs were all connected and where each stud was isolated.

Take a multimeter, measure the resistance (ohms) between two of the studs. If resistance is low (zero) they are connected, if high (usually the same reading as no connection) then they are isolated.

This can also be done with a test light. Ground a stud on the bar, attach the clip on the test light to +. Touch the grounded stud (check for connection) the light should light. Touch another stud ... if the test light comes on they are connected, if it stays off then they are isolated.

Hope this helps...

[Lit'l Shinee]

Corwin,

Did the ohms test, looks like they are isolated. Can't do the test light version, I don't have a battery in it yet. Jumper wires it is I guess.

Thanks much,
LS