Just went to change out a light in the closet with a recessed can and this is what I found. One, I have no idea what this would be linked too as it is the only light in the closet and nothing else in the house appears to be operated from this. More importantly I'm confused by the wiring of this. At least based on the colors of the wires. It looks like the hot wire of one 14/2 is connected to the light and then the neutral from the other 14/2 is connected to the light. The remaining hot (black) and neutral wire (white) are wrapped together?!? This is seriously confusing me so any assistance is appreciated. Home built in 83 but no idea how long it has been like this as I just moved in last summer. The light does work fine...

 

I assume there is a switch that controls this light. The power comes in on one cable, the other cable comes from the switch and is called a switch loop. The white wire of the switch loop should have been marked with black tape or paint to indicate it is not a neutral.

 

There should also be a wirenut, or some type of connector, on the ground wires.

A marker can also be used to mark the neutral as a hot wire.

 

Is it a pull chain light with an abandoned switch on the wall that does nothing?

 

An unenclosed light fixture such as that seems to be can by code no longer be used in a closet.

 

The light is operated by a switch on a wall and there is not a pull chain.

Okay - googling switch loop I think I now have my answer.... many thanks for the quick replies!!!

 

But you can't use that light fixture if the bulb isn't enclosed.

 

If it helps to understand... The reason you send hot down to the switch on the white wire is so that when it comes back up to the light, the wire is black hot and what you would expect to see.

 

Like Ray siad, the bare bulb can not be used in a closet .

 

A bare incandescent or LED bulb can't be used in a closet. A CFL can be.

 

Just to be clear, is everyone saying that I can not put a recessed can LED light fixture in here? Not sure if this matters but the room is no longer a closet, it is open on both sides and acts as an entry into a wine room that was built behind it. Previous owners / remodel company just never changed this light fixture. Appreciate all the help here.

 

If it is not a closet no problem.

 

A CFL is great if you don't need to see anything.

 

Surface mounted and recessed fixtures with incandescent or LED lamps are required to be completely enclosed. (Note: an LED lamp is enclosed if you can not touch the LED diode IMO)

Surface or recessed CLF fixtures can be exposed.

See Art 410 for location limitations of fixtures.