Thank you for the reply. This is a din room light that hangs down on a chain. The fixture wires have clear insulation. I didn't id which was power and which was neutral, but I think these can be reversed although I try to id them.
One was connected (twisted and capped) to the live black wire. The other fixture wire was connected to the dead black wire. White wires were tied together. The switch box has one BX cable, black and white to single pole switch. I am assuming the switch box cable goes to the ceiling box, but it looks like a safe assumption. The light was working and this is the only switch for the light.
Again, though, asking here brought up enough words for me to google the question. Although most of the postings were about neutral wires in a switch box, I saw one discussion asking exactly my problem. I guess some switches were installed on a neutral line. Answers were that this is not allowed under the code, and that this can electrocute people unaware that the parts of the fixture are live even when they turn the switch off - such as when changing the bulb.
I plan to put the new light as is, we need the light today. As soon as I can, I will reconfigure the connections so that the power goes to the switch, not to the fixture.
If you would, how do I id such connections with 3 way switches?
Whoever did the work, it's interesting. Two separate bedroom lights have 3 way switches used as single pole switches. Some outlets are ground hole up and some are down. I can't guess if the installer knew exactly what he was doing or not.:smile:
One was connected (twisted and capped) to the live black wire. The other fixture wire was connected to the dead black wire. White wires were tied together. The switch box has one BX cable, black and white to single pole switch. I am assuming the switch box cable goes to the ceiling box, but it looks like a safe assumption. The light was working and this is the only switch for the light.
Again, though, asking here brought up enough words for me to google the question. Although most of the postings were about neutral wires in a switch box, I saw one discussion asking exactly my problem. I guess some switches were installed on a neutral line. Answers were that this is not allowed under the code, and that this can electrocute people unaware that the parts of the fixture are live even when they turn the switch off - such as when changing the bulb.
I plan to put the new light as is, we need the light today. As soon as I can, I will reconfigure the connections so that the power goes to the switch, not to the fixture.
If you would, how do I id such connections with 3 way switches?
Whoever did the work, it's interesting. Two separate bedroom lights have 3 way switches used as single pole switches. Some outlets are ground hole up and some are down. I can't guess if the installer knew exactly what he was doing or not.:smile:
