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View Full Version : What is Red Wire for?


diymom2
Nov 20, 2013, 12:02 PM
I am installing a small flushmount ceiling fixture. On FIXTURE there are 2 White and 2 Black wires...

On ceiling there is 2 White, 2 Black and 1 RED.

Can anyone tell me the proper way to wire this fixture?

Thank you for help.
Diymom

stanfortyman
Nov 20, 2013, 12:39 PM
Just wire it up like the old one was. Wire colors don't always mean what most folks think.

hkstroud
Nov 20, 2013, 12:42 PM
If the ceiling has ONLY one red, one black and one white wire, it was wired for a ceiling fan/light fixture. One of the hot wires, either black or red, goes through the switch. The other does not.
Connect the two whites of the light to the white from the ceiling. Connect the two blacks from the fixture to the black from the ceiling. Put a wire nut on the red wire.

Turn power on and try the switch. If the switch does not turn the light off, move the two black wires to the red wire and put the wire nut on the black.

hfcarson
Nov 20, 2013, 01:27 PM
Yes I agree with hk, the red is likely a switched conductor and the black always live...
(or the other way around!)

diymom2
Nov 20, 2013, 01:39 PM
Thank you everyone... it works PERFECTLY. Got to LOVE Internet friends!!