I am trying to install a vanity light. There are 4 green wires tied in a bundle, 4 black wires tied in a bundle, one loose green wire and one loose bare wire. The new light has one white wire, one black wire and one bare wire. I connected the wires and all I get is direct current to the fixture. I cannot figure out how to connect the wires to have the light switch turn the light on and off. Please help.

Thank You

Are you in U.S.

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

are you in u.s.?

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Yes.

Very strange. If you have 4 blacks in a bundle and 4 greens in a bundle, you should have 4 whites in a bundle.

Actually you should have 3 blacks and one white in a bundle, 4 whites in a bundle and one single black. All greens and bare should be connected together.

Look again, also pull switch and tell us color and number of wires there.

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

Very strange. If you have 4 blacks in a bundle and 4 greens in a bundle, you should have 4 whites in a bundle.

Actually you should have 3 blacks and one white in a bundle, 4 whites in a bundle and one single black. All greens and bare should be connected together.

Look again, also pull switch and tell us color and number of wires there.

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I'll look again, but what I wrote still stands. I will let you know about the switch.

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Originally Posted by loutom0307

I'll look again, but what I wrote still stands. I will let you know about the switch.

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The switch has one black and one green.

Complete misuse of colors. Green is never used as a conductor.

Put some black tape on the green at both the switch and the single green at the light. You said you have the vanity light connected, just not through the switch. How do you have it connected. I assume to the bundle of blacks and the bundle of greens.

Please confirm that there are no whites in the light box.

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

Complete misuse of colors. Green is never used as a conductor.

Put some black tape on the green at both the switch and the single green at the light. You said you have the vanity light connected, just not thru the switch. How do you have it connected. I assume to the bundle of blacks and the bundle of greens.

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It was connected, but not now. If I do what you say, how do I connect the light to the wires. White to green black to black? Then how will the switch work.

This is so far out of code I hesitate to comment. Connect the white to the bundle of green, connect the black to the single green.

I have to assume that the green are neutral which should be white. Paint them white. Are these wires in a cable or are they individual wires pulled in some kind of conduit? It is important that you confirm that the green are neutral and that they be properly colored.

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

This is so far out of code I hesitate to comment. Connect the white to the bundle of green, connect the black to the single green.

I have to assume that the green are neutral which should be white. Paint them white. Are these wires in a cable or are they individual wires pulled in some kind of conduit? It is important that you confirm that the green are neutral and that they be proper color.

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Yes the green are neutral and probably since the house is 30 years old the wires are losing the white. The wires are cables. I will do as you say tomorrow and let you know how it worked. Thank you so much for your help it is well appreciated.

I am sorry I have not replied to you. I did what you said and it worked. Again, thank you so much for all your help.

Thanks for the update. I'm still kind of concern about the green colored wires. I've seen them turn dark, or kind of brown over time but never green. Are they just green tinted or really green. Could their color be a reflection of paint in the bath or caused by the lighting. How about checking your wiring in another room.