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Thursday, December 10, 2009

Light Doesn't Work after Replacing

Replacing a light is one of the most simple things you can do as a home owner. Unless the light has other wires in them and you didn't take the time to mark them before taking them apart. Now the wires are connected together with no markings and your breaker has tripped. I am going to explain how to fix this problem but you will have to have the power on at some point so if you don't have experience or are afraid of electricity do not try this. I am explaining this for the seasoned electrician or handy man. I am only explaining how to get your light to turn on not where the other wires go. That would be impossible without knowing what they are and what they are doing.

Light Doesn't Work after Replacing

If you have any questions please ask in the comment link below, I will answer them to the best of my ability, also if you have future projects that you would like step by step instructions please post in the comment box I will usually answer the same day.

1) Tools
a) ac meter
b) Linesmen Pliers
c) Strippers
d) Screw Driver Phillips Head
e) Thin Flat Head Screw Driver
f) Drill (optional)
g) Wire nuts

2) Shut the power off to the switch. Go to your panel (your panel has the breakers or the fuses in it) and turn the breakers off one by one. Changing a switch is a one man job but if you want to avoid running back a forth another person standing there and yelling at you when the light shuts off helps. Or shutting all the breakers off and the main just to be sure is what I would recommend. This is electricity SAFETY FIRST!!!!!

3) Remove the plate cover from the switch. This will be the easiest part of your project. On the top and bottom of the switch there will be small screws. You will need the thin flat head screwdriver to remove these. If the location you are installing the switch has multiple switches you will need to remove all the plate screws. Then remove the plate and place the screws and the plate together for replacing later. Do not lose those little screws believe me they are easy to lose.

4) Remove the switch from the wall. Take a drill or a Phillips head screw driver and take out the screws on the top and bottom of the switch. Now grab the yoke of the switch(that's the top and bottom of the switch) do not grab the switch by the side, the power is located on the side so if you grab it by the sides and for some reason the power is still on you will get shocked. This is electricity SAFETY FIRST!!!!! So grab the yoke and pull out the switch. If you are in a box with multiple switches you may need to remove multiple switches to be able to pull your switch out far enough to easily work on it. Wires commonly get stuck behind other switches so take the extra step you will wind up doing it anyway after trying to work with short wires and fail. Trust me I tried too.

5) Disconnect the light from the switch. OK you must disconnect the wire coming from the switch to the light at the light. That means disassemble the light and disconnect the switch leg wire from it and cap it off with a wire nut. The switch leg wire is the wire coming from the switch directly to the light.

6) Turn the power back on. If i have to explain this one, stop and call an electrician.

6) Testing the switch. Take your meter and set it to AC at a higher voltage than you are working on, so higher than 120V. Probably 200v. Take one lead and put it on the metal box or if you have romex the are wires in the box. Take the other lead and put it on the black screw. That is your switch leg if you have multiple switches check out this link it will tell you how to find your switch leg on #4. We are testing the switch so turning the switch on and off should show on your meter power, no power, power, no power as you hit the switch. If it stays on and you have multiple switches you need to call an electrician, there is no way i can explain how to fix if not you shut the power off and disconnect the wires from from the switch. Turn the power back on and test the wires individually if both wires are hot you didn't disconnect the switch leg from the light and you need to call an electrician because now the wires are all messed up. If one wire is dead your switch is bad and stuck in the closed position put in a new switch. If the switch is fine go to the next step

7) Multiple Lights. Now shut the power off. If you put in multiple fixtures, like recessed lights, disconnect the black wires from the lights. Also if there were multiple wires in the existing light that you pulled apart and put back together with the power still off separate them and cap them with wire nuts.

8) Reconnecting the lights. Connect the first light back to the wire coming from the switch, and turn the power on. The switch should turn on the light and you problem is with the other wires. If the breaker trips you may need to pull a new wire to the switch. If this worked and you have multiple lights turn the power off and connect the other light. Turn the power on and test. If this doesn't work your wire from one light to the other is compromised and may need to pull a new one or your connecting to the wrong wire. Turn the power off and disconnect the wire from the faulty can. Turn the power on and test the wire. If the power is live hit the switch and test again if you have the wrong wire the right one is around there somewhere. There are many possibilities that could be wrong I just touched on a couple. If you disconnected any wires you can ask direct questions at http://forum.doityourself.com they have many qualified people there or you can leave a direct question in the comments below.

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John
Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. I can not be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.



1 comment:

  1. I recently tried to replace a light and followed these instructions. I am positive I connected the wires right, and I know I have current flowing (I tested with a no contact voltage tester) and a good blub once I try to turn on the light, but the light doesn't work. I even tried to test the old fixture and it doesn't work. I did shock myself on the light when I started working because my husband didn't turn off the right breaker. Could this by why it isn't working now?

    ReplyDelete