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    Kevinwinkel's Avatar
    Kevinwinkel Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    May 19, 2009, 11:29 AM
    Lights are dim when switched on!
    When I flick the switch on, the lights are dim - really dim, but there is some power getting to them.

    I've tried changing the bulbs - I had CFLs in there (REALLY, REALLY dim - even after waiting for them to brighten up). Then, I tried halogen lights bulbs - a little brighter than the CFLs, but still very dim.

    I tried to change out the switch to no avail.

    I tightened up the connections at the switch and at each pot light but nothing changed and the lights became a little brighter, but still... dim!

    Any suggestions what could be the problem? I'm just finishing my basement, used 14-2 wire for the switches - there are two switches pigtailed from one line.

    Thanks,
    Kevin
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #2

    May 19, 2009, 11:46 AM

    Use your tester to tell us the voltage reaching the bulb socket. Also test the power reaching the pigtail and then on the other side of each switch. Picture would be great.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #3

    May 19, 2009, 12:55 PM
    Sounds to me like you have a series connection somewhere. Did you do all the wiring? How exactly did you wire the lights?


    Quote Originally Posted by Kevinwinkel View Post
    I'm just finishing my basement, used 14-2 wire for the switches - there are two switches pigtailed from one line.
    What exactly does this mean? Do you mean 3-way switches, or two single pole switches controlling two loads?
    Kevinwinkel's Avatar
    Kevinwinkel Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    May 20, 2009, 07:19 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by ballengerb1 View Post
    Use your tester to tell us the voltage reaching the bulb socket. Also test the power reaching the pigtail and then on the other side of each switch. Picture would be great.
    Thanks a lot for your response. My problem was much simpler than that and has been solved!

    Thanks again
    Kevinwinkel's Avatar
    Kevinwinkel Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    May 20, 2009, 07:20 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by stanfortyman View Post
    Sounds to me like you have a series connection somewhere. Did you do all the wiring? How exactly did you wire the lights?


    What exactly does this mean? Do you mean 3-way switches, or two single pole switches controlling two loads?
    Yes, that's exactly what I did! Figured out and fixed now! Thanks.
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