Power to ceiling light fixture but won't turn on
#1
09-01-16, 04:25 PM
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 11
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
Power to ceiling light fixture but won't turn on
I have a kitchen light fixture that stopped working, the light bulbs worked in another fixture so I figured I needed a new fixture. Bought a new one and it still won't work. When I test the power at the fixture box in the ceiling I read around 115v with my multimeter. But when I hook up the new fixture and test for voltage I get nothing. The wall switch seems to be working because when I test for voltage with the switch off I read nothing and with the switch on I read 115v. So something seems to happen when I hook up the fixture, any ideas?
#2
09-01-16, 04:28 PM
Group Moderator
Welcome to the forums.
You need to check for 120vac with the fixture connected. You may have a loose connection that will allow enough current to flow to allow the meter to read but not enough to light the light.
You need to check for 120vac with the fixture connected. You may have a loose connection that will allow enough current to flow to allow the meter to read but not enough to light the light.
#4
09-01-16, 04:40 PM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
How are you testing voltage at the switch. Which wires are you using for your test? Are you testing hot to neutral in the fixture? If so, test hot to ground and let us know what you have.
#5
09-01-16, 04:42 PM
Group Moderator
If you don't read any voltage from black to white.
Try black to ground and white to ground.
Then check at the switch.
You need to find out whether you are losing hot or neutral.
Try black to ground and white to ground.
Then check at the switch.
You need to find out whether you are losing hot or neutral.
#6
09-01-16, 04:55 PM
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 11
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
I haven't tested voltage at the switch however when I'm testing the hot and neutral at the ceiling receptacle with the switch on I'm getting 110V, same wires with the switch off no voltage.
#8
09-01-16, 08:56 PM
Group Moderator
So you're getting the voltage with the light connected ?
If the light isn't working.... it's defective.
If the light isn't working.... it's defective.
#9
09-01-16, 10:03 PM
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 11
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
I get voltage without the light connected, both hot and neutral and hot and ground. When I connect the fixture I don't get voltage when I test hot and neutral but do get it with hot and ground. As soon as I remove the fixture I get voltage again on hot and neutral.
#11
09-02-16, 12:55 AM
Group Moderator
You are losing your neutral (white) then.
You will need to leave the light connected at the ceiling..... go to the switch and measure from hot to neutral there.
You will need to leave the light connected at the ceiling..... go to the switch and measure from hot to neutral there.
\
#15
09-02-16, 01:19 AM
Group Moderator
When you are checking at the switch for power..... is the light connected ? It should be.
On edit: The GFI probably tripped when you cross connected the neutrals.
On edit: The GFI probably tripped when you cross connected the neutrals.
#16
09-02-16, 09:23 AM
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 11
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
Yes the light was connected when I checked the switch.
I tried resetting the GFI but nothing, so I put everything back to original configuration. The GFI is fed by 2-3 strand wires, right now the neutral from the GFI is connected to the two other neutrals in the junction box. When I connect the two neutrals from the line that feeds the light to one of the lines that feeds the GFI the light works and the GFI doesn't. I'm assuming it's not feasible to tie all the neutrals together(basically I would have 5 neutrals tied together), probably not a good idea right?
I tried resetting the GFI but nothing, so I put everything back to original configuration. The GFI is fed by 2-3 strand wires, right now the neutral from the GFI is connected to the two other neutrals in the junction box. When I connect the two neutrals from the line that feeds the light to one of the lines that feeds the GFI the light works and the GFI doesn't. I'm assuming it's not feasible to tie all the neutrals together(basically I would have 5 neutrals tied together), probably not a good idea right?
#19
09-02-16, 11:19 AM
Member
Gray or blue should do it.
The GFCI neutrals have to remain separate. Rule is with multiple circuits in the box you never combine the neutrals of two different circuits (unsafe) but do combine all grounds.
The GFI in the same box is on a different breaker and works fine.
#20
09-02-16, 11:42 AM
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 11
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
I'm confused then, if I was to tie all the neutrals together I would be combining neutrals from two different circuits which you mention I shouldn't do. Right now the GFI has 3 neutrals connected( 1 from the GFI switch connected to 2 separate neutrals not associated with the light switch) If I was to connect the 2 neutrals which feed the light to the 3 neutrals from the GFI that would break the rule of combining neutrals of different circuits. So I really can't tie these 5 together correct?
