[hoytman1018]

I have 5 light fixtures wired in a daisy chain. I have them wired using 12-2 romex from the breaker to the switch then to each light. So it is sw- L1-L2-L3-L4-L5. I have 120 volts at the switch and each box with the switch on. Now I can't figure out why the lights aren't working. I even broke the chain and just wired the first light still nothing. What am I missing? Thanks

 

[rbj]

I have 5 light fixtures wired in a daisy chain. I have them wired using 12-2 romex from the breaker to the switch then to each light. So it is sw- L1-L2-L3-L4-L5. I have 120 volts at the switch and each box with the switch on. Now I can't figure out why the lights aren't working. I even broke the chain and just wired the first light still nothing. What am I missing? Thanks

Do you have a neutral W-W and phase leg BK-BK to the first light? Daisy chain may not be the appropriate word if the circuit from L5 does not return to the switch.

 

[hoytman1018]

Yes Blk/Blk and Wht/wht, and I guess this is wired in parallel, not a true Daisy chain.

 

[rbj]

Yes Blk/Blk and Wht/wht, and I guess this is wired in parallel, not a true Daisy chain.

So there must be something askew in the lighting hookup. Is there a bare grounding wire connected to the housing also?

 

[hoytman1018]

All of the grounds are grounded to each box at the same point. So I have a ground from the switch, ground that runs to the next light, and ground from the light fixture. All grounded together.

 

[rbj]

All of the grounds are grounded to each box at the same point. So I have a ground from the switch, ground that runs to the next light, and ground from the light fixture. All grounded together.

Maybe the wiring from the switch needs looking at. All white wires at the switch will be connected in parallel with one white going to the first light leg along with the switched black wire in the same cable with matching w-w and bk-bk connection in the lamp wiring.

 

[hoytman1018]

I have the white neutral wires wire nutted at the switch. Black hot from the box wired at the bottom off position on the switch. Black to L1 wired on the top on position of the switch.

 

[rbj]

I have the white neutral wires wire nutted at the switch. Black hot from the box wired at the bottom off position on the switch. Black to L1 wired on the top on position of the switch.

You might test the first light for on-off control from switch to luminaire. If that does not work, then something in the circuit is open wired.

 

[rbj]

Hoytman, I am not trying to be joking, but have you checked the light bulb? Or is this a fluorescent tube CFL type lamping?

 

[brric]

Perhaps the breaker is off. Do the fixtures have light bulbs?

 

[hoytman1018]

You might test the first light for on-off control from switch to luminaire. If that does not work, then something in the circuit is open wired.

I have wired just the first light up and still nothing.

 

[rbj]

I have wired just the first light up and still nothing.

A nystery for sure if you tested hot on and off. There must be an open circuit in the luminaire pigtails.

 

[hoytman1018]

I have checked the bulbs they are good. Have tried 3 different switches, even wired directly without switch where when I flipped the breaker on lights should have lit up. The breaker must be good if I'm getting 120 volts to each light right. I'm stumped I've done several jobs like this with no problem. I'm lost at this point how do I have 120 volts at 5 lights and none of them work?

 

[rbj]

Perhaps the breaker is off. Do the fixtures have light bulbs?

One minute apart in same thinking. :thumbsup:

 

[rbj]

I have checked the bulbs they are good. Have tried 3 different switches, even wired directly without switch where when I flipped the breaker on lights should have lit up. The breaker must be good if I'm getting 120 volts to each light right. I'm stumped I've done several jobs like this with no problem. I'm lost at this point how do I have 120 volts at 5 lights and none of them work?

There is a possibility that you may have heated up the lights with a parallel phase leg hooked up at the panel and there will be a 120V reading to ground.

 

[jbfan]

What are you measuring the voltage with?

 

[hoytman1018]

A multimeter

 

[HouseHelper]

Check all your connections... from the panel on. You may have a loose connection that will let you read 120V on the meter, but not allow any significant current to flow.

 

[jbfan]

A multimeter

Test the meter in a receptacle to make sure it reads correctly.

A bad battery can give a false reading, so you want to make sure that is not a problem.

 

[rbj]

Test the meter in a receptacle to make sure it reads correctly.

A bad battery can give a false reading, so you want to make sure that is not a problem.

sans AC