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I'm going CRAZY!! (LP)

3K views 23 replies 11 participants last post by  operagost 
#1 ·
I know this is SO easy, but I'm pulling my hair out!! :censored:

I'm putting in a light and a single pole switch. Power goes to light first, then the switch. Here's my wiring (checked 10 times, so I'm sorta confident it's wired correctly):

Line in from nearby circuit.

White from line in goes directly to fixture.
Black from line in goes to white on switch line. (And marked "hot".)

White on switch line goes to bottom terminal on switch. (And marked "hot".)
Black on switch line goes from top terminal of switch to fixture.

Both Line In and Switch Line grounds wired together, to ground screw on metal box.
Grounded also to ground screw on switch.

I have tried changing everything: It's a simple porcelain light fixture, but I replaced it anyway.

It's a brand new single pole switch, but I replaced it anyway.

Yes, I switched light bulbs. :laughing:

I have looked in half a dozen "Electricity for Morons" books, and my wiring matches every time.

I have a proximity sensor that tells me that the Line In is hot. After connecting everything, it also tells me that the Switch Line is hot. When switch is off, black and white terminals on fixture are cold. When switch is on, both terminal are hot.....but no light. :furious:

I've already used 17 of my best cuss words, so if anyone has any bright ideas (pun DEFINITELY intended), I would SINCERELY appreciate it.

And my wife says she would, too. :whistling2:

Thanks!
 
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#4 · (Edited)
While at HD, you may as well pick up a "Pigtail socket" & bulb. It comes in handy --and is very reliable-- for basic tests of power.
On your connections; Isn't it possible that you intermixed the White/ Neutral with the White/Hot from the switch. Therefore, both terminals in your lamp will have the same polarity! ( just a thought):)!
 
#7 ·
Well. Interesting and interestinger. Black to white reads zero. Black to ground reads 120V.

And it's a keyless porcelain fixture (you dont sound like a jerk - that's something I didn't think to check!).

Tested the switch - zero to infinity.

So if black to neutral is NOT reading 120V, any likely suspects?

My white lead where I tied in isn't securely connected?
Something reversed?
Not grounded?

Getting out of my depth here. I may just end up tying into a different circuit.

And my wife is snickering. Good thing I haven't told her how much I spent on a new MM. :D
 
#15 · (Edited)
Well. Interesting and interestinger. Black to white reads zero. Black to ground reads 120V.

And it's a keyless porcelain fixture (you dont sound like a jerk - that's something I didn't think to check!).

Tested the switch - zero to infinity.

So if black to neutral is NOT reading 120V, any likely suspects?
Where EXACTLY did you test?

If you disconnected the power supply that you took from an existing circuit, and you tested the free (unconnected) black & white there, your readings would indicate one thing, but if your readings were somewhere else it would indicate other possibilities.



Draw a picture of the wiring you are messing with, and indicate exactly where you get the readings and what they are.
 
#16 ·
Things I have learned

Wow. This project got a lot bigger than I had thought. Well, it's all wrapped up and put to bed. Thank you to EVERYONE for your generous time and helpful ideas. And thanks for being kind to a noob!

RANDOM THOUGHTS
(In bullet point format, because it's Tuesday, and it's late, and I'm on call.)

-Drywall looks great when it has been hung, mudded, taped, sanded, primed and sealed. Drywall that has all that stuff done to it with a big hole where you had to go in to straighten up an electrical snafu is...not so great looking.

-14G wire through your thumb is an exquisite kind of pain that cannot be described; it must be experienced to be appreciated.

-"I'll just reconnect that wire nut, and since I'm only going to touch one lead, I don't need to trip the circuit breaker" is quite possibly the dumbest thing I have ever said to myself.

-Children DO listen to you. I have proof: My five year old daughter says naughty words with exactly the same inflection and volume that I use. (To her credit, she uses them in context, too!)

-There's usually a good reason for things being the way they are. As examples, I offer these: There's a good reason I'm not an electrician - I like living. And there's a good reason electricians make a decent wage - They earn it.

-A good multimeter is an essential piece of equipment. A non-contact voltage detector is NOT a good substitute for proper diagnostic tools.

-A snide grin and asking "Back again?" is NOT a proper way for a smart-aleck Home Depot employee to greet a valued customer. Especially one who buys so many, many....many supplies. (Smart a$$ little jerk...I oughtta...)

-There is no better feeling in the world than finishing a job yourself, and having it turn out right. Even if it did take me much longer than a pro. And cost more. And result in injuries. And...well, you get the idea.

Thanks again to everyone who helped out! :thumbsup:
 
#20 · (Edited)
rpfeinman319 (Poster #16) Right. That's a good feeling when someone says to me "Oh. You can hang a chandelier or a ceiling fan in Five Minutes". Or, you can trace a "Short" or find a "Fault" in a power line, in 5 Minutes. Why are you charging so much?! Here's the answer. No one can install a Ceiling fan or find an electrical "Short" in Five Minutes. And if they do. They deserve the pay for their experience. (Expertise):no:!
 
#21 ·
The problem was an open neutral. I went back to where I spliced into the circuit, and sure enough, the white lead had come out of the wire nut.

Checking the voltage drop across hot/ground AND hot/neutral was the key.:thumbsup:

My non-contact tester was telling me the circuit was hot. And, technically it was. I was still getting the correct voltage across hot/ground. But until I checked the voltage across hot/neutral, I couldn't see where the problem was.

Trouble is, with a slapstick DIY job like this, I don't know that I would have approached it any differently: My circuit was fine (I thought), the wiring was correct (and it was), so where could the problem be? I was really pulling my hair out. Should have gone back to basics, checked EVERYTHING, and I certainly will in the future at the first hint of trouble.

I gained a new respect for electrcity...and for doing things the right way. If I had taken the time to do things right before I buried the junction box behind some drywall, I wouldn't be staring at the HUGE hole in my basement wall. Lesson learned.

Thanks again to everybody who gave advice! I'm amazed that you all could diagnose this thing sight unseen!

I'll stick to giving anesthesia as my area of expertise.:whistling2:

Thanks again,

Will
 
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