Trying to figure out where to check for the problem
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 14
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Trying to figure out where to check for the problem
How are you all doing? I installed a motion light and it didn't work. So I tried turning the light switch on & off that is located right inside of the door to the left of the junction box. So I replaced that light switch to make sure I didn't have any problems from that first, and it still didn't work. So I went outside and replaced the the bottom outlet because it didn't work & old(see image). So I test removed the motion light and tested the wires and the meter shows no activity at all ( I tested it with the light switch on & off). I was wonder where do I start to check for the problem in the fuse box or in another location to get the power live again?
Thanks
Thanks
#2
Tell us about all of the wires in the switch box and how they are connected. Tell us about all the wires in the receptacle box and how they are connections. Pictures may help.
#3
Welcome to the forums!
Do you know that that switch controls the power to the light outlet? If so, check for power at the switch. If not, check for power at the switch and check for continuity between the switch box and the light box.
See Troubleshooting a dead receptacle or light, Basic Terminology & Other info.
The receptacle and the light switch should not be wired together. Do they appear to be?
I was wonder where do I start to check for the problem in the fuse box or in another location to get the power live again?
See Troubleshooting a dead receptacle or light, Basic Terminology & Other info.
So I went outside and replaced the the bottom outlet because it didn't work & old(see image).
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 14
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
They are only three wires (White, Black, & Green) and a ground (in the receptacle box, but I'm unsure where they are connected. I loaded a picture with my post, because I was wondering if I have to go to the the attic to find how it is connected to the house.
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 14
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Do you know that that switch controls the power to the light outlet?
The receptacle and the light switch should not be wired together. Do they appear to be?
Last edited by Nashkat1; 10-17-13 at 09:32 PM. Reason: Remove URL links from quotes
#6
I didn't check it for power, but I will!
They are not wired together, but i wanted to make sure everything was working
#8
In your picture is a three way switch. I see two black wires and one red wire going to the switch. I see red connected to the odd color terminal. I see one black on one of the traveler screws.
I see the other black connected to the ground screw
There should not be a black wire on the ground screw. It should be on the other unused traveler terminal. There should only be a bare wire or green on the switch ground screw.
I see the other black connected to the ground screw
There should not be a black wire on the ground screw. It should be on the other unused traveler terminal. There should only be a bare wire or green on the switch ground screw.
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 14
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
I understand! I call myself install the new switch like the old one that was wired 15 years ago was. I test all of the wires, but I still have no power going through them. Even tho its wired wrong, I should still be able to detect power right? Right now my meter shows no power at all.
#10
I could be wrong, but that looks like a SPST (on/off) switch with some funny-colored terminal screws and a black wire on the grounding terminal to me. Does it have ON and OFF molded into the face of the toggle?
How are you testing for power?
How are you testing for power?
#11
I have a strong hunch that that is a three way switch on a three way circuit which means there is a second switch that is also connected to that one. The power may come from that switch.
#13
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 14
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
How are you testing for power?
http://www.southwiretools.com/tools/...do?file_id=221
#15
Very nice test instrument A+
Then it is a three way switch and there is another one in that circuit.
Then it is a three way switch and there is another one in that circuit.
#18
I replaced [the old switch] with a new switch yesterday...
It does not any on/off on the toggle...
Should I have bought a special light switch?
It does not any on/off on the toggle...
Should I have bought a special light switch?
Originally Posted by PJmax
Then it is a three way switch
The question now is whether you needed to buy that switch. Is this the only switch for that light location? Where is that red wire coming from?
Nice wiki, but my question was
Originally Posted by Nashkat1
How are you testing for power?
#19
What is the best way to find the other circuit?
Answer the questions I asked earlier and we can go from there.
#20
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 14
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Are you disconnecting all of the black and red wires and testing for 120V from each of them to neutral and to ground?
Last edited by ray2047; 10-19-13 at 05:41 AM. Reason: Remove reference URL
#21
He's using a good tool Ray. It's back in post 13.
Just my thoughts passing thru.....
I had a reply all typed up but this may not be a three way circuit. It could be a a hot leg is carried thru the box and red is switched. That would mean the blacks need to be connected.
Just my thoughts passing thru.....
I had a reply all typed up but this may not be a three way circuit. It could be a a hot leg is carried thru the box and red is switched. That would mean the blacks need to be connected.
#22
this may not be a three way circuit. It could be a a hot leg is carried thru the box and red is switched. That would mean the blacks need to be connected.
Lutrella, do you still have the switch that you removed? Did it have ON and OFF on the toggle?
#23
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 14
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Lutrella, do you still have the switch that you removed?
Did it have ON and OFF on the toggle?
Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...#ixzz2iBkmatVP
#24
Originally Posted by Nashkat1
Did it have ON and OFF on the toggle?
You should probably wire the new switch the way PJ suggested earlier: Splice the two black wires together. Add a 6" - 8" piece of black wire - a pigtail - the same gauge as the other two wires to that splice. Connect the pigtail to one of the power terminals on the switch. Connect the red wire to the other one. Make another pigtail if you need to to connect the grounds to the switch.
But, before you do the wiring, what did you learn when you tested the black and red wires for 120V AC?
#26
Ok! I will try that!
Originally Posted by Nashkat1
before you do the wiring, what did you learn when you tested the black and red wires for 120V AC?