Piggy back wires?

I'm adding a new fixture in my hallway and I've found that there are two sets of black wires and two sets of white wires that joined.

When I separate the white wires, I lose power in the bedroom and the bathroom.

My question is, do I piggy back the connections of the light fixture to the two white wires?

Thanks in advance.

 

So you're replacing an existing fixture with another fixture in the same spot? And the wires you describe are in the box where the existing fixture is? How is this light fixture turned on and off? Does it have a wall switch, a pull chain, or perhaps a switch on the light itself?

If you are connecting a new fixture where an old one was connected, then connect it exactly as the old one was connected. If you are not replacing an old fixture with a new, then where exactly are these wires you "found"?

Your post makes it sound like that old "Doctor, it hurts when I lift my arm" joke. No disrespect intended, but if you lose power when you separate the white wires, then don't separate the white wires.

Post back with more information, and we'll sort this out.

 

There use to be an existing fixture at one time, but the previous home owners removed it before they left.

I was asking the question because I wasn't sure what the correct procedure for installing a new fixture with all these extra wires.

I didn't want anything to blow up on me.

Thanks for your help though.

 

Is the fixture controlled by a switch? If not then just hook the new fixture black to blacks and white to whites and grounds to grounds. Use the fixture pull chain to turn it on/off. If there is a switch then there should be more wires.

 

The fixture is operated by a switch. I went ahead and installed the new light fixture by attaching the black wires to the black wires and so on.

My question was that with the white wires, there are now three white wires that are connected to supply power.
I was just wondering if this is ok to do.

 

Please tell us exactly how many cables enter the box and what color wires are contained in those cables. Also, if you remember, please tell us how the wires were connected together when you started, and where they go once they leave the box.

You should also tell us the wireing at the switch, as that is important.

In general the black wires are hot wires and the white wires are neutrals (or returns). However, when you throw a switch into the picture a white wire MAY become a hot wire.

Without the whole picture it is hard for anyone to help you.