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Originally Posted by donf

Please purchase a Volt/Ohm meter so we can isolate switch loops from feed conductors.

It sounds like the Breaker feed is coming into the ceiling box. You should find one set of Black and White conductors that is "Hot". With the red probe from the meter on the Black conductor and the Black probe on the White conductor, you should see approximately 123 VAC.

Once you find that pair, turn the power off at the breaker and isolate the cable or Black/White conductors. Now set the meter for Ohms 1K value.

Now for the switches. Separate the remaining two pairs. Set the meter to Ohms (1K). Place the red probe on the Black conductor. Place the black probe on the White conductor. Check the meter, do you see zero (0) ohms or an open circuit?

If you now go to a switch, and move the handle, does the meter change?

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I have only 2 sets of wires (not 3) coming out of the ceiling box and I am replacing a ceiling fan with a Flush Mount Ceiling Light. I identified the live wires and connected them to the light fixture wires - black to black and white to white; light doesn't work. What else is needed?

Greetings, please do not piggy back on to an existing question. This original question that is 5 years old.

I am requesting that this item be opened as a new question.

If u connected the hot wires to the light, the light would be always on.

Please answer these questions.

1. how did u determine which set was hot?

2. Check to see if u have both wires from same cable.

3. Does light have a pull chain switch?

4. Is the bulb good?

5. What did u do with other pair of wires?

Good luck

Chuck

Greetings.

If you have determined the Hot circuit then you need to determine the switch loop. That's what I expect you have.
Are you looking at two separate cables each with Black, White and Bare ground?

If so, one is going to be the supply feed, constant hot. The other will be the switch loop.

Once you determine which is which, make the connections as follows:

1) Switch White - place black tape around the insulation of the white conductor or color the conductor with a color other than gray or white at both ends. Then connect this conductor to the Black feed line. A retasked Neutral can only be used to carry power to the switch.

2) The Black (return) from the switch, will connect to the Black on the light fixture.

3) The supply White (Neutral) will connect to the White from the fixture.

4) Bare Ground will connect to the supply ground and the bare or green wire from the fixture.