We recently bought a house and the front porch light doesn't work. Tried multiple bulbs and no luck. Since its a new fixture I wanted to take it off and check to make sure it was actually wired in (house was a flip) does anyone know how to tell what breaker to flip. The breaker box is labeled somewhat vague. Also
is there any way to tell the power is actually off.
If you're certain which switch operates the light fixture, as long as the switch is off there should not be power to the fixture. This depends on how it was wired though, so some caution is still called for. You could pick up a cheap "non-contact voltage tester" to detect whether power (technically voltage) is present at the fixture box. I'd also check the switch box as well to ensure you have voltage at the switch.
My guess is you have a bad fixture or a loose/disconnected wire inside the fixture box. Second guess is a bad switch.
Unfortunately, most panels are marked just as well as yours is. There are some 'breaker finder' tools that can help, but in most cases, the best way is to go room-by-room with a light or radio, and a partner and figure out which circuit controls which. Of course, that doesn't help you now, when you can't tell for sure.
If you're concerned that the switch may not turn off the power, you can be safe and turn off every breaker. It'll require resetting a few clocks, but won't be any worse than a brief power outage.
Any breakers that obviously do not apply can be left on (dryer, dishwasher, well pump, etc. and any larger than 20 amp.).
Get a multimeter to check the bare wires for voltage after you turn off the breaker or switch and carefully remove the wire nuts. A non-contact tester is not a good way to confirm that voltage is NOT present.
Good comments. Also check if you have a photo eye on your light fixture that turns the light on at night and off during the day. They can fail to the off setting.
Any outlets in your house not working?
I think I would remove the screws holding the fixture and see if there is a wire in the back. You mention the house is a flip so the light may have been put on for decoration.
Thanks everyone, there is a duplex switch right by the door that does nothing so im assuming thats it. All the outlets near by work. The hallway switch is also on the duplex and that works. I will probably just turn the main off to be safe.
[color=#222222]My wife asked me to replace a ceiling fan in our basement. The original fan was controlled by a smart switch with a dimmer for the light and an on/off relay for the fan. I used the manual speed select on the fan itself to set the speed I wanted the fan to run at when I turn the fan on. [/color]
[color=#222222]I the process of installing the new fan, I realized that the new fan did not have a speed select switch. The only way to control the fan speed was with the wireless remote the controls a wireless reciever box in installed in the box above the fan. I really don't want to use the fan remote to adjust the fan speed as I want to use the z-wave based smart relay to control it. [/color]
[color=#222222]I only need one speed, just not max speed which is what I have right now. Is there an easy and safe way to set a fan speed to a lower speed? The wiring is pretty straight forward (HarborBreeze). Coming to the fan wireless receiver is hot and neutral. Leaving the wireless receiver are 2 wires connected up to the fan. The receiver reacts to to 4 button on the remote; off, low, medium and High. What would I need to do to remove the receiver and only have the fan run at, lets say medium speed? Could I wire in a manual 3 speed fan controller and just set the speed once and forget it. [/color]
[color=#222222]Appreciate any comments. [/color]
I need to move a fan to a new location which requires an extension downrod. Unfortunately the long wires on the fan were cut short during the original installation. I now need to add wire because of the extension rod. Do they sell extension wire or what kind of wire do I need to buy to extend the white, black and blue wires. Does any wire work, such as speaker wire?
02-04-21, 10:54 PM
