We installed a chandelier last weekend in our breakfast nook and checked if all the wiring and connections were done as per the instruction manual (u know - the white to the white etc.. ) all looks in place (although I am not an electrican).
We don't see power in the dimmer switch. There has been a chandelier which the previous owners had and took it away. The switch worked fine then. Now - doesn't look like it has the light coming on.
Help!

Most likely bad dimmer.

Where is power coming to operate light? At the switch or at the light?

If at the light, wire nut white from power to white from switch. Wire black from switch to one side of light and black from power to other side of light.

If power coming in at switch box, wire one side of switch to black power. Black from light to other side of switch and wire nut white from switch and white from light together.

Good luck

Chuck

What I would expect you to find in the ceiling would be a power source, a black and white pair.

There should be another black/white pair being used as a switch loop. Switches do not use Neutral (White). They carry only power.

With that in mind, the NEC code allows you to construct a "Loop" to the switch and back. You are allowed to attach the White from the switch loop to the Black (Source feed). Also, place a small amount of Black, Blue or Red tape around the "White" going to the switch.

The return from the switch will go to the Black from the light fixture.

The White from the light fixture connects to thee White from the source.

If the power is being fed from the switch. Then you should find that there is a black feed to the switch and a black from the switch going to the light.

White will bypass the switch entirely. At the ceiling, you would connect the black from the switch to the black on the lamp and the white to the white on the light.

Please, please turn off the breaker serving this circuit before you start touching wires anywhere.