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    Caster13's Avatar
    Caster13 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Feb 3, 2013, 09:22 AM
    Wiring for Ceiling Lamp
    I want to install a ceiling lamp but I'm confused by the wires coming from the ceiling, in the light switch, and the fixture. They are as follows:

    In the box in the ceiling:

    4 green wires
    3 red wires
    3 white wires
    1 yellow wire

    From the fixture:

    1 white wire
    1 black wire
    1 green/ground wire

    The wall box:

    2 green wires connected to a grounding screw
    2 yellow wires, each going to an individual switch
    1 red wire between the two switches
    1 white wire going straight from one hole into another

    A rough diagram:


    Any suggestions on where/how to connect what?
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #2

    Feb 3, 2013, 10:43 AM
    Was there a fan with a light kit on this ceiling before? You need to do some testing with a meter or test probe because your description of the " wall box" is sketchy "white wire going straight from one hole into another" Start at the switches and determine where the power enters, which wire is hot all the time no matterwhere the switch is thrown.
    Caster13's Avatar
    Caster13 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Feb 3, 2013, 11:25 AM
    There was no ceiling fan previously installed into the ceiling. I just opened up the ceiling hole yesterday and found the confusing pile of wires inside.

    With the black and white wires on the fixture, the white wire is supposed to connect to the neutral wire and the black is supposed to connect to a hot wire or a switch wire?
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #4

    Feb 3, 2013, 01:53 PM
    Are the wires in cables or in conduit?

    There has to be another wire in the switch box.

    I am assuming that you used grey to represent white wires in the ceiling box.
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    Caster13's Avatar
    Caster13 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    Feb 3, 2013, 04:33 PM
    What's the difference between cables and conduits?

    Grey is white in the diagrams, yes, else you wouldn't be able to see the white on white.

    The circles are holes in the switch box where wires enter/exit.

    Quote Originally Posted by hkstroud View Post
    Are the wires in cables or in conduit?

    There has to be another wire in the switch box.

    I am assuming that you used grey to represent white wires in the ceiling box.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #6

    Feb 3, 2013, 09:03 PM
    Is there another wire in the switch box. Not logical to simply have one switch connected to another and not connected to anything else.

    Has this wiring ever been used?
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #7

    Feb 3, 2013, 10:16 PM
    Do you, by any chance, have an outlet in that room that does not work?
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