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-   -   What is Red Wire for? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=775932)

  • Nov 20, 2013, 12:02 PM
    diymom2
    What is Red Wire for?
    I am installing a small flushmount ceiling fixture. On FIXTURE there are 2 White and 2 Black wires...

    On ceiling there is 2 White, 2 Black and 1 RED.

    Can anyone tell me the proper way to wire this fixture?

    Thank you for help.
    Diymom
  • Nov 20, 2013, 12:39 PM
    stanfortyman
    Just wire it up like the old one was. Wire colors don't always mean what most folks think.
  • Nov 20, 2013, 12:42 PM
    hkstroud
    If the ceiling has ONLY one red, one black and one white wire, it was wired for a ceiling fan/light fixture. One of the hot wires, either black or red, goes through the switch. The other does not.
    Connect the two whites of the light to the white from the ceiling. Connect the two blacks from the fixture to the black from the ceiling. Put a wire nut on the red wire.

    Turn power on and try the switch. If the switch does not turn the light off, move the two black wires to the red wire and put the wire nut on the black.
  • Nov 20, 2013, 01:27 PM
    hfcarson
    Yes I agree with hk, the red is likely a switched conductor and the black always live...
    (or the other way around!)
  • Nov 20, 2013, 01:39 PM
    diymom2
    Thank you everyone... it works PERFECTLY. Got to LOVE Internet friends!!

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