Switch turns off power to remainder of circuit

jbitt · 01-11-2010, 02:59 PM

Hello everyone. I'm hoping someone might have some helpful information for me.

Over the weekend, i decided to install a light fixture in my bedroom. i had previously removed the wiring for a 3rd, off-center, and unnecessary light fixture in the bedroom several weeks ago.

After finally installing the new fixture, i find out that turning the switch on or off will also turn the fixtures on the remainder of the circuit on or off (depending on whether or not their switches are on or off). For example, my front porch light is on the same circuit down the line, and turning the bedroom light off also turns the porch light off. The other fixture in the bedroom, controlled by a separate switch, is wired with 14/3 cable while the problem fixture is wired with 14/2. These switches have never functioned as 3 way switches to my knowledge, and there are no three-way switches in the house.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch!

joed · 01-11-2010, 03:24 PM

Need more info.
Tell us all the wires in the switch box and the fixture box. If there is only one black and white in either box then the problem is not in that box.

jbitt · 01-11-2010, 03:36 PM

in the problem switch there are 2 14/2 cables - one "original wiring" cable coming from the previous fixture on the circuit and going to the switch, and then out of the switch, new 14/2 cable going to the problem fixture, and new 14/2 cable out of light fixture to a junction box which provides which connects to the rest of the circuit.

joed · 01-11-2010, 06:50 PM

I'm confused. You say there are two 14/2 cables but then you list cables going to three different places.
And you didn't tell us how they were all connected up.