Light fixture and light switch stopped working when I removed a 2nd fixture.
#1
03-15-17, 03:57 PM
Light fixture and light switch stopped working when I removed a 2nd fixture.
Hello,
I turned off the 2nd light. Turned off the breaker. Removed the 1st light fixture. A ground wire fell out of the box, I didnt see from where. I turned the breaker on. The 2nd light no longer works.
How do I get my 2nd light to work?
I drew this picture of the wiring that's in the 1st light ficture. The 2nd light ficture only has a 2 wire. I can't access this from the attic soI don't know which one goes to the source at the moment.
I appreciate any help! Thank you.
I turned off the 2nd light. Turned off the breaker. Removed the 1st light fixture. A ground wire fell out of the box, I didnt see from where. I turned the breaker on. The 2nd light no longer works.
How do I get my 2nd light to work?
I drew this picture of the wiring that's in the 1st light ficture. The 2nd light ficture only has a 2 wire. I can't access this from the attic soI don't know which one goes to the source at the moment.
I appreciate any help! Thank you.
#2
03-15-17, 04:04 PM
Group Moderator
Welcome to the forums.
You really splurged.... schematic on a napkin.
You have a switch loop there. A diagram without the grounds would be more helpful.
Direction of 2nd light from box means absolutely nothing.
Which cable is the hot coming in on ?
You really splurged.... schematic on a napkin.
You have a switch loop there. A diagram without the grounds would be more helpful.
Direction of 2nd light from box means absolutely nothing.
Which cable is the hot coming in on ?
#3
03-15-17, 04:35 PM
Lined paper splurge
Hahaha thank you for the welcome, and I did splurge on the napkin! 
Behold, a lined paper diagram without ground. I don't know which is the source yet I wanted to draw how I found it hoping it was something easy before I take it apart. Looking at it I'm ASSumig its #3.
]
Behold, a lined paper diagram without ground. I don't know which is the source yet I wanted to draw how I found it hoping it was something easy before I take it apart. Looking at it I'm ASSumig its #3.
]
#4
03-15-17, 04:49 PM
Where you have "fixture" in your diagram do you mean two switches in a double gang box? If so what other wires are in that box?
Source is a 2-conductor cable that when disconnected measures ~120 volts between black and white wires.
I don't know which is the source
#6
03-15-17, 05:15 PM
Hi Ray,
The picture and drawing are of the box that I removed the light fixture from. I wrote "fixture" to identify the wires that went to the light. I think they were using a white as a back (cable 1)?
The picture and drawing are of the box that I removed the light fixture from. I wrote "fixture" to identify the wires that went to the light. I think they were using a white as a back (cable 1)?
#7
03-15-17, 05:56 PM
So that whole thing is in a ceiling box? The squares were throwing me off. I thought they were other boxes but they are cables, correct?
Do you have two black wires on the switch to this and two white wires connected only to each other in the switch box?
Do you have two black wires on the switch to this and two white wires connected only to each other in the switch box?
Last edited by ray2047; 03-15-17 at 07:29 PM.
#8
03-15-17, 06:26 PM
Group Moderator
It looks like cable 1 is the switch loop. (wired backwards)
It looks like cable 2 is hot.
It looks like cable 3 is another switch loop. (also wired backwards)
What's the deal with only one wire connected on cable 4 ?
It looks like cable 2 is hot.
It looks like cable 3 is another switch loop. (also wired backwards)
What's the deal with only one wire connected on cable 4 ?
#9
03-15-17, 06:27 PM
Yep, they're all images of a ceiling box with four 2 wire cables.
Two black wires on the switch - no? The switch looks like it has a black and a white, however the ceiling box it looks like they're using a white as a black.
Two white wires connected only to each other in the switch - no
I
Two black wires on the switch - no? The switch looks like it has a black and a white, however the ceiling box it looks like they're using a white as a black.
Two white wires connected only to each other in the switch - no
I
#10
03-15-17, 06:33 PM
I don't know, could that be the problem? I think maybe they were using the white as black, it's a guess.
Both lights were working, I removed this light fixture, a piece of ground fell on my head and now another light isn't working. This ceiling box is working when I connect the "fixture" wires to a fixture.
Both lights were working, I removed this light fixture, a piece of ground fell on my head and now another light isn't working. This ceiling box is working when I connect the "fixture" wires to a fixture.
#11
03-15-17, 06:38 PM
Group Moderator
Are there two switches involved here ?
Is one light here and another is at a second location ?
Is one light here and another is at a second location ?
#12
03-15-17, 06:39 PM
Everything has been wired...uniquely in this house. :|
I don't know why there is only one wire connected on 4. It looks too short to have come out of a nut. I'm looking around too see if I missed something else that fell off. Geez haha
Thanks for the help do far
I don't know why there is only one wire connected on 4. It looks too short to have come out of a nut. I'm looking around too see if I missed something else that fell off. Geez haha
Thanks for the help do far
#13
03-15-17, 06:45 PM
Yes, two lights and two switches, not a 3 way. Yes, another at a second location. This ceiling box killed the other light so I'm guessing it's being used as a junction box to wire the other switch and fixture but I don't know how to put the ceiling box wires the way they were.
#14
03-15-17, 06:52 PM
Group Moderator
The white in cable 4 was connected with the white from cable two.
I'll be back with a diagram.
I'll be back with a diagram.
#16
03-15-17, 07:10 PM
Group Moderator
Cable 1 is line/hot cable
Cable 2 is switch loop for local light.
Cable 3 is switch loop for light 2.
Cable 4 is light 2.
You switches were wire with hot being sent to the switch on black and returning on white.
That is backwards and the diagram reflects the correct method.
Cable 2 is switch loop for local light.
Cable 3 is switch loop for light 2.
Cable 4 is light 2.
You switches were wire with hot being sent to the switch on black and returning on white.
That is backwards and the diagram reflects the correct method.
Last edited by PJmax; 03-15-17 at 07:35 PM.
#18
03-15-17, 07:22 PM
Group Moderator
Ok.... then the diagram I posted is wrong.
I corrected my diagram.
Try the short white wire from 4 to white of cable 1.
I corrected my diagram.
Try the short white wire from 4 to white of cable 1.
