Halogen Track Lighting
#1
03-30-03, 07:12 AM
Halogen Track Lighting
I am trying to install track lighting with three 50 watt halogen bulbs. The current is runs first to an overhead light fixture and then continues to my track light. Previously there was a regular light here. I have attached the track lighting and now want to run a line from it for a dimmer switch. However, everytime I try to install a switch it either blows a fuse (with a regular on/off switch) or blows the switch (for a 600v halogen dimmer switch). What do I need to do? 
#2
03-30-03, 07:28 AM
Member
To be sure of giving you the right advice, please tell us the details of your connections (both at the light and at the switch). However, I'll make a reasonable guess anyway, without that information.
It seems that you are attempting to wire what is called a "switch loop". It also seems that you are attaching the switch directly between the hot and neutral. In essense, the switch is a very efficient way to intentionally create a short circuit.
To wire a switch loop (where the power comes into the fixture before going to the switch), at the light, you must attach the power cable black to the switch cable white. Tthis seems odd to many people, but it is correct if you reidentify the white wire with a black marker. These two wires do not attach to the fixture in any way.
Then you attach the switch cable black to the fixture black, and the power cable white to the fixture white.
At the switch, you simply connect the black and the reidentified white to the two screws on the switch.
It seems that you are attempting to wire what is called a "switch loop". It also seems that you are attaching the switch directly between the hot and neutral. In essense, the switch is a very efficient way to intentionally create a short circuit.
To wire a switch loop (where the power comes into the fixture before going to the switch), at the light, you must attach the power cable black to the switch cable white. Tthis seems odd to many people, but it is correct if you reidentify the white wire with a black marker. These two wires do not attach to the fixture in any way.
Then you attach the switch cable black to the fixture black, and the power cable white to the fixture white.
At the switch, you simply connect the black and the reidentified white to the two screws on the switch.
#3
03-30-03, 08:09 AM
Here are the wiring details:
From the center light there is a black and a white wire that are running to the halogen light, which is hooked to black and white. This is supplying the halogen with constant power. All I have done is run a new wire (hooked to black and white) from where that wire is connected to the halogen to the new switch. Are you saying that I need to just switch the colored wires all the way through from the light to the halogen and then the same to the switch?
From the center light there is a black and a white wire that are running to the halogen light, which is hooked to black and white. This is supplying the halogen with constant power. All I have done is run a new wire (hooked to black and white) from where that wire is connected to the halogen to the new switch. Are you saying that I need to just switch the colored wires all the way through from the light to the halogen and then the same to the switch?
