Ceiling Fan with Light Fixture Outlet Box Wiring Nightmare.
#1
05-08-19, 01:48 PM
Ceiling Fan with Light Fixture Outlet Box Wiring Nightmare.
I need help.I am replacing an older ceiling fan with light fixture with a new ceiling fan with light fixture. The problem I am having is this;
There are (3) groups of wires coming out of our bedroom outlet box. Each group has (1) white, (1) black and (1) copper.
What are all of the copper wires for and why are they there?
I understand black to black, white to white, and one copper to ground, but what do I do with the other two copper wires?
#2
05-08-19, 02:25 PM
Al the coppers(ground) get connected together. Green is also ground. Connect any of them together with the bares.
Keely
voted this post useful.
#4
05-14-19, 06:29 AM
So...that didn't work.
It is tripping the breaker at the light switch. I am going to take a picture of another wiring conundrum and post it so you can hopefully see the actual wiring itself.
I will post back today with clearer photos.
Thank you Joed for your help, I know that I am getting closer to having a fan and lights yippee!
Lori
It is tripping the breaker at the light switch. I am going to take a picture of another wiring conundrum and post it so you can hopefully see the actual wiring itself.
I will post back today with clearer photos.
Thank you Joed for your help, I know that I am getting closer to having a fan and lights yippee!
Lori
#5
05-14-19, 07:17 AM
Wiring Conundrum with Photo
The photo in this post is from our bathroom, so it was not wired to a ceiling fan, just a light fixture. I wanted to give a clearer photo shot of the original wiring from 1996. We bought the house when it was built.
also, I have replaced the blue plastic wiring box for the ceiling fan with light fixture that is the subject of this thread with a steel box rated for a fan and fixture combo.
Lori
also, I have replaced the blue plastic wiring box for the ceiling fan with light fixture that is the subject of this thread with a steel box rated for a fan and fixture combo.
Lori
#7
05-14-19, 08:57 AM
A very accurate and precise description of the wiring is as follows;
(4) copper wires, no wire nut, twisted all together, by themselves and pushed up into the top of the box.
(4) white wires all together with one large Grey wire cap, and with (1) extra added white wire that can be removed by itself.
(5) black wires capped all together (with one white wire coming from the box), with one large Grey wire cap, with (1) extra added white wire that also can be removed by itself.
(4) copper wires, no wire nut, twisted all together, by themselves and pushed up into the top of the box.
(4) white wires all together with one large Grey wire cap, and with (1) extra added white wire that can be removed by itself.
(5) black wires capped all together (with one white wire coming from the box), with one large Grey wire cap, with (1) extra added white wire that also can be removed by itself.
Last edited by Keely; 05-14-19 at 08:59 AM. Reason: Need to add an additional wire.
#9
05-14-19, 12:19 PM
Wiring at switch
Wiring at switch;
(3) wires
black at top
white at bottom
copper to ground.
One light switch is straight up and down no dimmer.
(3) wires
black at top
white at bottom
copper to ground.
One light switch is straight up and down no dimmer.
Last edited by Keely; 05-14-19 at 12:22 PM. Reason: Need to add additional info.
#10
05-14-19, 01:01 PM
Wiring at switch;
(3) wires
black at top
white at bottom
copper to ground
(3) wires
black at top
white at bottom
copper to ground
There are (3) groups of wires [3 cables] coming out of our bedroom outlet box
Black of power in connected to black of power out and white of switch loop.
Black of light to black of switch loop cable.
Power in white, power out white, and light white connected together.
Grounds per code.
With a multimeter and cable disconnected determine which cable is power in by measuring voltage black to white. (A non contact tester won't work).
With breaker off and switch on check which cable shows continuity, That is your switch loop. You can further verify by testing with switch off. It will then show open (no continuity).
Last edited by ray2047; 05-14-19 at 03:06 PM. Reason: Incorrect quote.
Keely
voted this post useful.
#11
05-14-19, 02:42 PM
Thank you ray2047
Makes perfect sense. I will check with the breaker off and the switch on, and report back here tomorrow. Thanks very much for the help and the clarification.
L.
Makes perfect sense. I will check with the breaker off and the switch on, and report back here tomorrow. Thanks very much for the help and the clarification.
L.
