Hi

I live in Ottawa Canada and just bought a house built in 60s (totally newly renovated).

In the front yard, its standard around here to have a light on pole, that has a solar switch to turn on at night. Our was snapped in half by the last snow plough and never fixed. So i want to fix that...

I unbolted the base and got at the electrical wire in there. Ive used my electrical tester pen to see if theres current in the wire and it appears there isnt. So how do i diagnose this further? Do i need an electrician?

I've checked all the fuse box in the house and none are tripped. However none are labelled as 'outdoor light' or similiar either...

Any advice?

Thank you

 

Those electrical wires. Are they before or after the dusk to dawn sensor? Make sure you're measuring the current before it reaches the sensor. Another possibility is an internal wall switch that can be used to keep the light off at all times. Check a for switch that you don't what it operates.

 

Thank you, i will look for a random switch!! Good thought

Re the 'dusk to dawn sensor' - There is none! Its been destroyed and not on the wires anymore... I cant see it, so im guessing its before the sensor

 

The wires coming out of the ground should be always live if there is switch inside and it's on.
Those wires would be before any sensor in the pole.

What kind of wiring do you see at the base ?
Does it look like a dark gray cable with white, black and ground in it ?

 

Ive not inspected the wire too closely as ive no idea where the switch or fuse for it is.
It looks like regular 14g AWG wire, There is also a thinner yellow wire that runs with it that may be for the sensor

I thought i could diy this, but i think im going to have to get an electrician now

 

When you know what type of wiring it is.... that can be helpful.
If it's one cable it's usually direct burial type wiring.

You said there is a yellow wire. If it's indeed yellow and not a dirty white wire.... you have conduit there. If that's the case you may see the conduit come up from the ground and into the house.

 

i'll take a pic of it friday!