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    FE523's Avatar
    FE523 Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Aug 12, 2012, 12:35 PM
    Replace light switch
    I want to install a light switch that goes to 4 recessed lights. There are 2 white,2black,1 red wire that went to old switch. 1 black is hot. I do not know how old switch was hooked up or the wires that went to switch. Thanks for any help
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #2

    Aug 12, 2012, 04:57 PM
    Is this the only switch for the lights or is there another switch in the room?

    Is the black that is hot in the 2-wire cable or the 3-wire cable?

    Why are you replacing the switch?

    Is this the same problem you posted about on July 27?
    FE523's Avatar
    FE523 Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Aug 12, 2012, 06:37 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by hkstroud View Post
    Is this the only switch for the lights or is there another switch in the room?

    Is the black that is hot in the 2-wire cable or the 3-wire cable?

    Why are you replacing the switch?

    Is this the same problem you posted about on July 27?
    The old switch was a dimmer that stopped working.
    Yes, same problem posted on 7-27
    Hot wire is in 2 wire cable
    Thanks
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #4

    Aug 12, 2012, 06:57 PM
    You can either go to light and to outlet and tell us the wiring there

    OR:

    Connect the two white wires together with wire nut.

    Temporally connect the two black wires. Put wire nut on red wire.

    Turn breaker on, nothing bad will happen. If it does breaker will trip.

    Either the light will be on and the outlet will not work, or the light will not work and the outlet will.

    If the light is on, and the outlet does not work, disconnect the two black wires, connect the black in the 2-wire cable to the red in the 3-wire cable and add a pigtail. Connect the pigtail and the black in the 3-wire cable to the switch.

    If the light is not on and the outlet works, remove the wire nut on the two black wires and add a pigtail. Connect the pigtail and the red in the 3-wire cable to the switch.
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