Wire colors mixed exterior porch light.
#1
04-12-20, 01:56 PM
Wire colors mixed exterior porch light.
I pulled a porch light off to replace it as it was looking pretty rough. There is a single switch that controls this light.
I was surprised to see two romex cables inside. But I was more surprised to see them not connected in a parallel fashion (forgive the use of a DC term.
The two black wires from the two romex cables are tied together.
One white from one romex is going to the white wire on the fixture.
The white from the other romex is connected to the black wire on the picture.
The bare copper are all connected together.
Any ideas what is going on here so I know where to look for issues if need be perhaps it is legit wiring. But it seems odd for household wiring.
I'm not an expert so I could be completely wrong.
I was surprised to see two romex cables inside. But I was more surprised to see them not connected in a parallel fashion (forgive the use of a DC term.
The two black wires from the two romex cables are tied together.
One white from one romex is going to the white wire on the fixture.
The white from the other romex is connected to the black wire on the picture.
The bare copper are all connected together.
Any ideas what is going on here so I know where to look for issues if need be perhaps it is legit wiring. But it seems odd for household wiring.
I'm not an expert so I could be completely wrong.
#2
04-12-20, 02:05 PM
Group Moderator
That's called a switch loop. Power is fed to the light on one cable. The second cable goes to the switch. The white of the switch line is hot to the switch and the black is switched hot back from the switch.
#3
04-12-20, 03:59 PM
#4
04-13-20, 10:02 AM
FYI, the white wire to the switch (in both the switch box and the fixture box) is supposed to be remarked as a hot wire. Usually with a piece of black electrical tape. Remarking the wire makes it clear to anyone who comes next that it's considered a hot wire and not actually a white/neutral.
As you've seen, it's a code requirement that's often forgotten about.
As you've seen, it's a code requirement that's often forgotten about.
Silverbullet555
voted this post useful.
#5
04-13-20, 08:55 PM
#6
04-14-20, 05:41 AM
Nitpicking. The wire connected to the black lead of the light fixture may not be white even if remarked with black tape. But for now, if you can get it to work without making this fix, then procrastinate on this fix until you figure out how to do this fix (requires more than passing Common Core school education or an SAT).
Hint: The black wire coming up from the switch should be the wire connected to the light fixture black lead.
Hint: The black wire coming up from the switch should be the wire connected to the light fixture black lead.
#7
04-20-20, 05:58 AM
Also note that the box is very near the soffit. This creates a problem as the wall mount Eaton motion security light that I just bought online has 4 mounting screws at the 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 and 10:30 positions.
This means if I want to mount this I have to rotate the lights 45 degrees. Normally this is not a big issue because these lights have jam nuts and swivels so you can turn and tilt it, but in my case the light when rotated hits the soffit.
I know they sell one of these round adapter plates which allows you to mount through a center hole...but I specifically bought these with 4 mounting holes to give it a good weather seal.
The box is embedded in one inch of stucco over concrete block, or else I would have freed it and rotated it properly.
Right now my plan is to just mount another identical box below it with a short piece of pipe rotated the way the lights need it. Is there a better idea (except for getting a different fixture)?
