help! adding a flourescent fixture in my closet

i have two small bulb fixtures in my closet and want to add a 4-bulb flourescent fixture for more light. i snaked the new wire for the new fixture into the wall to the switch that controlled the 2 single fixtures. following the new fixture instructions, i connected the white wires to the new white wire, and the black wires to the new black wire (w/ wire nuts, seems a firm cionnectiion). then in the switch box in the wall, is where i am having problems. there was originally just the standard 3 wires in the box, white, black, & ground. so, my new ground goes with ground, of course. but i can't figure out what to do with the new white & black. can't get them to work unless i don't use the switch, and simply connect the old white w/ the new white, and the old black w/ the new black. what am i doing wrong??

 

First of all, there are severe restrictions on the placement of a light fixture in a closet. Make sure that the new fixture is no closer to the closet shelf than the old fixture. If you project a line vertically upward to the ceiling from the front edge of the closet shelf, this line must be no closer than 12" to the nearest edge of the light fixture.

Now your other problem. Unfortunately, you attempted the impossible -- you are dealing with an existing switch loop. It is not possible to tap power for your new light from here! One approach is to remove the new cable you just installed, and instead install a new cable between the old light and the new light. Another apporach is to leave your new cable alone, but replace the cable between the switch and the old light with a red/black/white cable rather than the black/white cable you have now.

Post back with which of these options seems easier for you. We can then tell you how to hook it up.

 

hi john, thanks for getting back to me. the impossible, huh ? only me! ok, i think the best way will be for me to tap into one of the existing lights. the wire for them is not in the wall. upon further inspection, it appears that the live wires are coming from another part of the house because they come thru a wall, then go into an accessible junction-type box, which i opened. inside this box, is the wire set from the switch and two wires sets to the two existing lights. it looks like the black live wire goes to the switch black wire; the white (live - not really) goes to the white fixture wires; the black fixture wires go to the white switch wire. so,it would seem to me, that i can add my new fixture wire set to this junctiion box, attach the white & black the same way as the other 2 fixtures. what do you think?
kris

ps - i way just going to post another question, when i saw your reply. it has to do with a replacing 2 3-way switches. can i ask you or should i post it formally?

 

The wiring in this box is a code violation, but the violation is relatively minor. Perhaps some DIYer has been messing around here?

Your strategy is fine. Run a cable from the new fixture to this box and attach them the same way as the old fixture wires are attached.

New topics deserve a new thread.

 

thanks again john! i just bought this home in november and am trying to make what i thought were a few simple changes! thanks for the advice & help!!
kris