We just had the siding done , and took out a second entrance door , and I am having a time rewiring a switch for a hallways and stairs . It's a box with four wires as such : 1-Hot wire , its the only wire on this circuit breaker . 2-Dead wire to old outside light and outside receptacle . 3-Single receptacle on wall . 4-Wire leading to two switches and two lights , switch and light downstairs , switch and light down stairs . I leave off the single receptacle , but no matter which way I wire it the lights do not work . I am fairly certain that the receptacle and old outside lines do not factor in , any thoughts before I call an electrician ?

I've been investigating my breakers and found one set of cabling is just downright messed up. This circuit goes to the bathroom. I wouldn't think the original owner would have added this circuit but I am just shocked that the original installer would have done it this way. Doesn't make sense but I need to fix it. Here's the neutral_white wire with nicks in it, I think there's a third on the back side. [ATTACH]40262[/ATTACH] Here's the ground wire, snipped, curled around an extension piece. [ATTACH]40263[/ATTACH] Here, the black_hot wire has electrical tape along a good portion of it. I have no idea what it looks like underneath. [ATTACH]40264[/ATTACH] Now my question is; what is an acceptable repair? Does a junction box need to be installed just before the main panel where the wires can be joined with new there, then to the breaker. Or Can a butt splice repair be made in the panel? Never seen a butt splice repair made in a panel before so I am gonna guess that's a nono. Thanks in advance for any advice.