View Full Version : Wiring a new Light Fixture that has two bulbs
Adeliel
Jun 11, 2007, 09:48 AM
So I bought a ceiling mounted flush light fixture from the home depot. But I'm confused about the wiring. The fuses are fine cause when I first started to wire it.. Turning back on the power from the panel it popped and I replaced it (15 amps). Anyway, I'm reading and following all the necessary and safe steps, but I'm having trouble still. This is the set up right now: Coming out of the box in the ceiling there are two separate sets of wires. One set is a black and beige wire, and the other set is a black and beige wire. There is also the ground of course. The ground from my fixture is secured onto a screw on my box. From my light fixture there is also two sets of wires. One set is Black and White and the other Black and White. At first I just maretted one set of the box wires together and just used the other set placing all the black wires together and the beige and whites together. By doing that only one of the light bulbs in the fixture worked, and the switch wouldn' even turn the bulb on or off. I tried other set ups to no avail. Another set up I have is also so messed up. One of the light bulbs always stays on and the other light bulb the switch is controlling it! How do I wiring this sucker!? This is the first time I'm wiring a light fixture, I'm only 18 and never took any electrical courses.
Washington1
Jun 11, 2007, 07:25 PM
Questions:
1. How many lights did the switch control
2. What wires do you have in the switch box
3. Do you have a pen tester (Pen tester=a tool that gives you an indication light or sound (or both), telling you that you have current or no current)
Stratmando
Jun 11, 2007, 08:22 PM
The 2 light sockets connect white to white, and black to black, now if you hook up power,
A black and beige, they should light. Neutrals are to be white or grey. I'm guessing it is white wire discolored, to beige.
Two "beiges" is strange(2 neutrals)I hope,
Since you are able to get 1 light to work with switch, connect other light to the same 2 wires as working light. You might cap the other 2.
Might not, At light box, Neutral possibly need to cary on. Blacks may need to go together.
Your box is wired one of 2 ways, from what you described:
1)From switch to this lightbox, and on to second lightbox. Black to black/white to beige or
2)Power to lightbox, and other black and white is hot to switch(white)and black goes back up to light.(Can easily tell by removing switch, and having only black and white at switch).
White should be identified with black tape.
Greens or bare is ground and connect to metal of lamp.
Ask More questions, if you need. Be careful.
C
labman
Jun 11, 2007, 09:26 PM
I am saying the same thing as above in a different way. With the power off, connect one pair of black and beige wires to one pair of black and white to the light fixture. If the light comes on, with the switch off, when you turned the power on, the black/beige is the feed wire. If not, try the other pair. Once you identify the feed wire, connect its beige to the whites of both light sockets. Connect its black to the other black. Connect the beige from the second pair to the black wires to the bulb sockets. Mark it with black tape.
Note, vinyl insulation usually comes out white if no color is added. Minor problems with the compounding can give beige.
Washington1
Jun 11, 2007, 09:50 PM
Wow!
No comment!
Adeliel
Jun 11, 2007, 10:02 PM
Wow!
No comment!
Oh sorry, 14/2 NMD wire, one light switch single pole. Wires are active.
Stratmando
Jun 12, 2007, 05:20 AM
Do you Only have a black and beige in switchbox?
I take it, it is fixed.
Washington1
Jun 12, 2007, 08:34 AM
Oh sorry, 14/2 NMD wire, one light switch single pole. Wires are active.
No problem! I just like to gather facts before posting. Some things are straight forward, but others aren't. You could have had a switch loop in your situation, this is why I asked the questions. <having two 14-2 wires in the ceiling box, doesn't mean that one of the 14-2's is feeding another light fixture--it could have been incoming power.< I rest on this page!
Adeliel
Jun 12, 2007, 11:58 AM
Do you Only have a black and beige in switchbox?
I take it, it is fixed.
No it is not fixed yet, haven't had time really. And it's not too too bothersome. But I will today... Two sets of wires coming from the ceiling box (one black the other beige) and the light fixture for each light socket has 1 set of black and white wires. Then there is one ground.. . Just in case it didn't make sense above. I'd like to hear all answers.
Stratmando
Jun 12, 2007, 07:22 PM
Try mine or labmans, answer is there.
Can you tell us if only 2 wires at switch? Important.
labman
Jun 12, 2007, 08:46 PM
My answer assumed a switch loop, where the feed goes to the light, and then a 2 conductor with ground to the switch. There will be only one black, white, and ground, all connected to the switch. If you have 2 cables coming in with both blacks connected to the switch, my post won't work.