light wiring
#1
08-04-02, 07:49 PM
light wiring
I installed recessed lighting using an existing switch and have run into a problem. The switch doesn't work. The light just stays on. Can anyone advise?
#2
08-04-02, 08:31 PM
Member
Please give us more details about what you did. Did this switch already control one or more lights? Did you add another light to it? Did you run the cable from the new light to one of the existing lights, or from the new light to the switch? Is there a white wire attached to the switch? Is this just a simple single-pole switch, or are there a pair of 3-way switches involved?
The most common reason for this problem is a failure to understand how a switch loop works.
The most common reason for this problem is a failure to understand how a switch loop works.
#3
08-04-02, 10:42 PM
It's a pre-exististing single pole switch, but I'm not sure exactly where it's wires go. I simply can't find them. I have access to an attic, where I found the other wires, but the switch wires don't go up there. The original light was mounted on the wall and had it's box right behind it. I've tried different combinations with the wires inside the original box, but I'm still confused.
#6
08-05-02, 09:36 AM
Member
You need to run a new cable between the existing light and the new light. At the existing light, the wires of the new cable should be connected to the same wire nuts that the wires of the existing light are connected to. Note that because you have a switch loop, connecting all wires of the same color will not be the right answer.
#7
08-05-02, 02:13 PM
No, you do not need to run a new wire to the switch if there is already one there. From what you described the power is at your light already. You need to find the wire that is "hot" all of the time and hook its white wire to the white wire on the fixture. Then hook the "hot" wire to the white wire going down to the switch. Then hook the black wire back up to your fixture. What is going on is you are sending just the "hot side of the circuit down to the switch on the white wire, and then back up to the light on your black wire.
let me know if this helps you.
let me know if this helps you.
