Can someone help me fix this light switch mess up?
#1
11-17-19, 02:47 PM
Can someone help me fix this light switch mess up?
I have a double box that has four toggle switches in it. One of the switches broke and I am trying to replace it but the new switch has a different configuration than the old one and now none of the switches work.
I tried to attach a picture, hopefully it worked, if not I will try again. There are 9 wires coming from the box. I have numbered the hot wires in red. There is also a wire connected between 2 screws on one of the switches that isn't connected to the box.
Help?
#4
11-17-19, 03:03 PM
Cause I'm a dummy.
Seriously, I thought I kept track of the wires fairly well, they are still in the same order they came off just when I reconnect them in the same order nothing works.
Seriously, I thought I kept track of the wires fairly well, they are still in the same order they came off just when I reconnect them in the same order nothing works.
#6
11-17-19, 03:12 PM
Do you have a volt meter? We need to know what wires are hot (120 volts) Picture shows 2 black and 1 white hot but usually only blacks are hot. You may have a switch loop or something we can't see in box.
#8
11-17-19, 11:31 PM
Group Moderator
You are going to need a voltmeter. You need to confirm that everything in that box is on one circuit. If it's on two circuits it will be doubly hard to figure out.
Use the meter to verify the four wires you have marked as hot are actually hot. A non contact tester is not reliable enough for this type of repair.
Use the meter to verify the four wires you have marked as hot are actually hot. A non contact tester is not reliable enough for this type of repair.
#9
11-18-19, 08:51 AM
I'll borrow a good meter from work and check when I get home tonight and let you know.
They are on two different circuits, but I'm certain that I didn't cross the wires - as in, the wires on the left side were all attached to the left switch and the wires on the right side were all attached to the right switch. That I did make sure to keep track of. The problem is that for whatever reason, the old configuration of which wire goes on which post isn't working for the new switches.
They are on two different circuits, but I'm certain that I didn't cross the wires - as in, the wires on the left side were all attached to the left switch and the wires on the right side were all attached to the right switch. That I did make sure to keep track of. The problem is that for whatever reason, the old configuration of which wire goes on which post isn't working for the new switches.
