Recessed Light Issue

natedro

Hi,

I need a little help. Not sure what I could be doing wrong, however starting to think beginning a parallel circuit not at the end could be my problem? I'm only worried about the recessed fixtures currently. The pendants are not ready for discussion yet.

The problem is I've hooked everything up and although everything is getting some form of power according to my Fluke VoltAlert 1AC-A 2, the fixtures don't light up. Maybe they're getting less voltage than needed?

This is the way I've connected the fixtures... is this the problem? All the lights are showing some form of power on my voltage tester and so is the switch. Any ideas what the issue might be?



Thanks for your help.

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Jim Port

Where does the power come into the circuit?

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Answers based on the National Electrical Code. Local amendments may apply. Check with your local building officials.

natedro

The switch is where the power comes in. Then, it goes to the light indicated in the drawing.

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Jim Port

That wiring scheme shown would be correct.

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natedro

Even with the circuit beginning at the second fixture? Any idea where the problem might be?

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Techy

as long as every fixture is made up color to color you'd be right.

Jim Port

What is the problem you think you have? There are some issues with non-contact detectors.

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Techy

if your tic tester is showing power, i'd assume a neutral issue what wires do you have in the switch box

natedro

Just the power coming in and a dead cable I've capped off. The live wire coming in is part of a circuit. Could it be a neutral somewhere up the circuit isn't connected?

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Gac66610

Might re-check your switch just to make sure you didn't cap the wrong neutral, have done this myself

Jim Port

It might help to know the connections you made.

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andrew79

I'm thinking it has to do with the fact they called it a series circuit. That would definately create the problem they have if they worked the fixtures in series.

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andrew79

Very rarely does anything get wired in series in your house, always parallell. You put four lights in series on a 120v circuit with the same wattage bulb in each and you'll drop about 30v across each not the expected 120v. 30v will set off a pen tester with a good battery even if its not rated to go that low.

If the bulbs are incandescant they'll come on dim but if they're CFL they won't come on probably.

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natedro

Here's the switch. There are three cables in there. One isn't getting power, so I capped it off and will deal with it later.

The other old cable is the live one. The white one is the one going to the fixtures.

White wire has a ground which was attached to switch.

I've connected the neutral wires together. I've got a black from each useful cable on each terminal of the switch. Both show power from my tester, along with the neutrals and the ground.

Then, once the white wire goes from switch to the second fixture in the drawing from my first post, I used the Halo easy connectors to connect the fixtures as shown.
I am guessing the problem is that I've basically got two branches going with the recessed lights the way I connected them. I may crawl into the attic in a minute and change the wiring up to see if that's the issue. It was too hot earlier to get back up there.

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natedro

Probably going change the wiring shortly... if not, maybe in the morning. Wish they would just work!

It might be important to mention previously, there was a ceiling fan with light that I removed. The wiring for this room is pretty rough, so it's always an adventure trying to figure out what the hell is going on with it. Please bare with me.

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