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    Donmegga's Avatar
    Donmegga Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Aug 25, 2013, 04:00 PM
    Ceiling light
    Have ceiling tube light with red and black wires but can't seem to get it working
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #2

    Aug 25, 2013, 05:05 PM
    Are both of the wires carrying current? Where are you located? 120 or 240 volt standard?
    Donmegga's Avatar
    Donmegga Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Aug 25, 2013, 05:13 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ma0641 View Post
    Are both of the wires carrying current? Where are you located? 120 or 240 volt standard?
    Well there's 4 of each wire so 4black and 4 red? Confused
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #4

    Aug 25, 2013, 05:38 PM
    Well Don, you are sure being vague about this. Can you tell us more?

    What other wires are in the box?
    How was the old fixture wired?
    Do you own a tester?
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #5

    Aug 25, 2013, 05:41 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Donmegga View Post
    Well there's 4 of each wire so 4black and 4 red? Confused
    Those sound like the inside wires that run from the ballast to the tube sockets. You removed the inside cover and found a rectangular black box with the wires? If that is the case, it could be bad tubes or a bad ballast. I can't imagine a ceiling box with that wiring.
    Donmegga's Avatar
    Donmegga Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Aug 25, 2013, 05:53 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ma0641 View Post
    Those sound like the inside wires that run from the ballast to the tube sockets. You removed the inside cover and found a rectangular black box with the wires? If that is the case, it could be bad tubes or a bad ballast. I can't imagine a ceiling box with that wiring.
    There is no box just wires hanging out of the ceiling which are black and red that's all. The switch that was operating the light also operates another light in a different room again confusing. I want to get rid of this light and have the switch to just control the other light in the different room but no luck as there's power coming from more or less all the wires
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #7

    Aug 25, 2013, 06:12 PM
    There should be at least 1 white wire for a light to work. Could possibly have been a 3 way switch with wires to another light and this was used as a junction box. What was attached to this ceiling box before? Power from "more or less all the wires" is hard to diagnose this way. Do you know how to use a voltage tester or VOM?
    Donmegga's Avatar
    Donmegga Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #8

    Aug 26, 2013, 03:18 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ma0641 View Post
    There should be at least 1 white wire for a light to work. Could possibly have been a 3 way switch with wires to another light and this was used as a junction box. What was attached to this ceiling box before? Power from "more or less all the wires" is hard to diagnose this way. Do you know how to use a voltage tester or VOM?
    I can't upload a picture other wise you would b able to c what I'm on about
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