Questions tagged [lighting]
Planning, installing and using either indoor or outdoor artificial lights.
2
votes
1answer
59 views
Wire colours reversed on switch
I've just installed a new (1 way, ceiling pull cord) switch in my bathroom since the old one broke. When I came to change it, it was not wired the way I expected with the live into the COM terminal ...
3
votes
1answer
48 views
Does it matter which wire goes where on single pole dimmer?
I’m updating the switches throughout my house. I have an old rotary style single-pole dimmer controlling the just-as-old chandelier in my dining room. This dimmer shares a double-gang box with a 3-way ...
2
votes
2answers
147 views
Can someone explain this wiring configuration to me?
See my previous question for more detail on my household's bizarre wiring. Three of my bedrooms have dimmer switches connected to outlets and ceiling fans, which is electrically unsafe and just ...
0
votes
1answer
15 views
Adding a vanity light to a switched knob and tube ceiling light
I shut off the main breaker, disconnected an ancient light fixture, taped new wire to the existing knob and tube and pulled it all up into my attic. Next I pigtailed from the K&T to two new (WBG) ...
9
votes
3answers
2k views
Can someone explain how this makes sense electrically?
The wiring in my house is... odd. Nearly every pair of outlets has one of the outlets connected to a light switch. Sometimes that switch is quite far from the outlet even when there are other closer ...
1
vote
1answer
50 views
How to install new chandelier when impossible to fish wires?
. Want to run a brown external wire to point where I can hang chandelier. I can’t cut thru beams. Any suggestions for where to find wiring, etc.
2
votes
1answer
43 views
Switches in other bedrooms turning on different lights after I put new light up
I recently put up a light in my bedroom but the switches in other rooms now turn on different lights, there are 9 wires altogether coming through the ceiling, 3 earth which are connected together, 3 ...
2
votes
2answers
41 views
Tie lighting on Knob and Tube to a low voltage (12v) system?
I have an old stone 18th C. Pennsylvania farm house. In several rooms, wall sconces were installed when the house was first electrified - with knob & tube wiring. The knob and tube wired to old ...
0
votes
2answers
36 views
LED downlights working in conjunction with bathroom fan
There are 3 led downlights and an extractor fan wired with a bathroom fan isolator and separate light switch. The light switch also, when on, provides the live connection to the fan isolator switch, ...
1
vote
2answers
83 views
Black wire crossed with white in box
I was helping my dad install Alumiconn pigtails in his home when I spotted something weird in a 1-gang outlet box: a black wire shorted with a white wire. Alarm bells went off in my head, so I spent ...
0
votes
1answer
38 views
Ceiling fan gets voltage but lights do not turn on
I just connected a new ceiling fan with lights and the lights and fan won't turn on. I tried to hunt down the problem and used a non contact voltage detector and the voltage does flow to the wires on ...
2
votes
1answer
50 views
How do I know what LED bulbs are safe to use in fixtures that are part of construction?
In a recent question, I asked about different power ratings for LED and traditional incandescent light bulbs. In the accepted answer, the author explained that the different ratings are due to heat ...
1
vote
2answers
40 views
Ceiling light goes off itself
My ceiling light goes off itself after 10 mins or sometimes even after an hour, no loose connection from the ceiling fixture and the switch, nothing seems loose even breaker too. How can i find the ...
1
vote
1answer
29 views
Raising a porch light and doorbell?
A previous owner of our house installed a front deck over the top of the two concrete steps leading up to the front door. Unfortunately they did not raise the front porch light and doorbell.
So many ...
2
votes
1answer
64 views
There appears to be no ground - what do I do?
Hi!
Trying to change a light switch in my house. I am Chicago within city limits.
House is pretty old...it was “gut rehabbed” in the 80s but that doesn’t really mean anything. Actual building been ...
0
votes
1answer
22 views
G24Q CFL Line Voltage
I am working with a CFL that requires a ballast to fire the lamp. This lamp is a G24Q-2. The lamp has four pins on the base. I am assuming that two of the pins are for the ballast connection and the ...
0
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0answers
45 views
Also have 3 black, 3 white and 3 ground wires coming from ceiling but difference in current
I'm replacing a ceiling fan and found the same problem as Cathy Ashley with 3 each white, black and ground coming from ceiling. None were marked, and I couldn't remember how they were originally ...
0
votes
2answers
24 views
Replacing light and fan set up to a plain light
I am replacing a Hunter ceiling fan with a regular hanging light. The ceiling fan had a knob for the fan and another for the lights with a dimmer switch. I took off the fan assembly and have a black ...
0
votes
2answers
27 views
Adding Recessed Lighting to bathroom circuit
I currently have a dedicated 15A breaker connected to 2 outlets (with GFCI) in a bathroom using 14/2. These 2 outlets are all that is connected to the breaker.
I plan to add some recessed lighting ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
Multiple motion sensor lights on one switch
I have a switch inside my house which feeds power to two fixtures on opposite corners outside. I installed LED motion sensor fixtures which have their own sensors and lights but they have never worked ...
0
votes
2answers
56 views
Why do some LED lights go dim while others go out completely?
When dimming LED lights with an LED dimmer, why do the LED lights at the end of a string of lights go off when LED lights at the beginning of a string of lights go dim but stay lit?
This application ...
0
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0answers
31 views
Can I connect this 3-way smart switch based on the current wiring?
I have a 3-way smart switch (and the required add-on switch) that I would like to install but the current wiring does not look how it needs to be based on the instructions. Based on the current wiring ...
0
votes
3answers
121 views
How can I remove the glass domes from my light fixtures?
This is embarrassing to ask, but I can't figure out how to change the light bulbs in my house.
The light fixtures are unusual and when I first bought my house I thought they were a selling point ...
0
votes
2answers
43 views
Conflicting wiring diagrams
I've spent the morning looking at YouTube videos and I feel I've gotten my wiring correct.
I'm trying to add a rose / pendant to a room. As I took the original light off, I noticed there is only 1 ...
0
votes
1answer
39 views
What is the best way to split a series of recessed ceiling lights to two switches?
I have a large basement with 10 can lights in the ceiling controlled by a single pull switch at the bottom of the stairs. I have framed in a bedroom that essentially cuts the area in half with 6 of ...
0
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0answers
42 views
Under cabinet LED lighting on opposing sides of the kitchen - no wire in between
I would like to put LED lights under the cabinets of my kitchen, and have them controlled by wall switch.
Here is the situation, I have cabinets on opposing sides of my kitchen (facing each other). ...
2
votes
2answers
78 views
Is my 4-way switch replacement job safe and up to code?
I recently replaced a 4-way light switch setup with a smart dimmer setup (GE Enbrighten 14294 and GE Add-On 12723) and wanted to check wanted to check that everything I did was safe and up to code (...
0
votes
1answer
32 views
LED not working on some sockets
So I've gotten one of those wifibulbs that you can change the color through an app and all that.
My problem was that it works with table lamps and standing lamps but it doesn't with the hanging ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
8 Foot T12 Flourescent ballast Requirements
I would like to understand how to evaluate a ballast and determine if it is suitable for a T12 8 foot flourescent bulb. What is the process / questions to ask?
I have several known good working ...
1
vote
3answers
93 views
Commissioned to build a row of lights, want to make sure I'm doing it right/ no easier way [closed]
I'm building a set for a theater group and they want me to build a row of lights to go along with it.
They want it to look as though a row of Edison lights, 5' high and sitting atop 1/2" black pipe, ...
0
votes
4answers
69 views
Control individual bulbs in a 6-can dimmer series
This is a complicated question, and maybe there is no way to do it, BUT...
I currently have a 6-can series dimmer in my basement (home theater) aligned in 3 pairs. I would like to be able to control ...
0
votes
2answers
35 views
Can I use standard electrical cable from a waterproof junction box when replacing an exterior light
I am replacing a faulty exterior light with a waterproof (IP66) LED one with a PIR sensor.
There is an existing conduit through the wall, but it is a thick stone wall of an outbuilding and the ...
0
votes
2answers
55 views
Is wiring a motion sensor switch with 18 AWG wire on a 20 amp circuit innapprorpiate?
I bought some motion sensor switch. They don't come with screw mounts, just 18 AWG wires that pop out. The load is 2 light fixtures maybe drawing 200 watts total. It's on a 15 amp circuit though.
I ...
0
votes
2answers
62 views
Removing a light switch cuts power to my entire room. Breaker not tripped. Smart Switch Install
I have installed smart switches before, but I moved into a new apartment recently. I have never had a problem before. I removed my old light switch and installed a new smart wifi light switch, and I ...
0
votes
0answers
32 views
Could I have broken my light fixture whilst changing the light bulb?
Ok, so not proficient in changing light bulbs... I have taken out the bulb before and put it back in so I know how to do it. I wanted to put in an adaptor so I could put in a colour changing bulb. I ...
2
votes
2answers
147 views
wiring of occupancy switch in 3-way situation (odd-looking instructions)
I'm looking to replace one of the two switches (wired in a standard 3-way configuration) which control an overhead light in a utility room, with an occupancy sensor switch. The room is small enough ...
1
vote
3answers
98 views
Lights won’t work on dimmer
I just installed some recessed lighting in my basement and I can’t get the circuit to work properly.
The installation was: feed to multiple lights to dimmer switch. I used 14/2 for everything except ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
Dimmer rotation span wider than the light intensity span
I had a guy install a dimmer for my kitchen's spotlight. It works as supposed to except for one small detail. The spots are totally off not at the end of the rotation of the controller but at about 40%...
1
vote
1answer
45 views
Is there a specific type of motion detector for use in long hallways?
I would like to select a single motion detector to drive lighting in a 70 foot hallway (straight corridor approximately 6 ft wide). A 70 by 6 foot rectangle is to be covered. If it is necessary to ...
0
votes
1answer
33 views
Connect light with 3 wires to box with 6 wires
I'm trying to replace a couple pendant lights in my kitchen, I replaced the first one just fine but I'm not sure how to wire the second light. Both lights are controlled by one switch, and I've ...
0
votes
1answer
42 views
How to Open Housing to Replace Light Bulb?
I need to replace a light bulb, the problem is I have no idea how to open the housing as it has no screws or anything visible where I could open it from. Here is a photo, any idea how I could open it?
1
vote
1answer
33 views
Lumen output for a new room
I am building a game room and want very good lighting in at least the portion that will include the table tennis table. I would like 500 lux (46.5 foot candles) of light in this part of the room (at ...
0
votes
1answer
13 views
ELV fixture + Maestro ELV dimmer does not dim, it simply switches
I just installed a Maestro ELV dimmer connected to a LED ELV-compatible fixture (WAC lighting).
The fixture does not dim however, it is 100% on at all dimmer settings and shuts off when the dimmer ...
1
vote
3answers
90 views
Light fixture killing Smart LED Bulbs
I live in a an older building in a studio apartment. I bought five Sylvania Smart+ LED Lights, one for each fixture. There's a cheap lamp, an overhead fan/light combo, and a kitchen light fixture with ...
0
votes
2answers
33 views
Wiring a 3 way Leviton VPT24-1PZ Vizia 24-Hour Programmable Light Switch
I'm trying to install a Leviton VPT24-1PZ Vizia 24-Hour Programmable light switch replacing an existing 3 way switch. the electrical box for this switch only has a black wire, white wire, red wire ...
0
votes
1answer
38 views
Light works half the time
its strange cause the light in my bathroom ceiling works only half the time. No flickering. does NOT seem to be after long use (so NOT from thermal overload). Any ideas???
0
votes
1answer
17 views
Troubleshoot motion detector that turns on for only a few seconds at a time
We have a light connected to a motion detector in our backyard. It detects motion and turns on the light for 2-3 seconds, then the light turns off again, and won't detect further motion.
A single ...
0
votes
2answers
41 views
Installation of a recess can over the shower does it need to be GFCI protected?
When installing a recess can over the shower does it need to be placed on a (gfci) ground fault circuit interrupter circuit?
3
votes
2answers
88 views
How deep should I embed a 30-foot light post?
I am installing a 30 Foot Round Straight Steel Light Pole, 5 Inch Diameter that I am purchasing from LightMart.
I live in the outside of Las Vegas, NV near the mountains where sometimes its very windy,...
2
votes
1answer
27 views
How can I connect a smart switch lead wire to a screw eye loop from the old switch?
I have two black wires, one of them is a continuous wire with a small loop of bare wire which connects to a screw on the old switch.
My new Lutron on off switch has wires, not screws.
How do I ...
