[matthewucsd]

I purchased a new 4 light vanity to replace an old 7 light vanity. The 7 light vanity had 1 black wire and 1 white wire. This new vanity has 4 black wires and 4 white wires. I only have one of each coming out of the wall. I tried wrapping all the wires around the single corresponding colored wire coming out of the wall but the light fixture will not turn on. How do I install this vanity? Thank you in advance.

[massplumber2008]

Hi Matthew

You were on the right track, for sure! My guess is that you didn't STRIP the wires back a little further than the way they came with the light. Here, if you don't strip the wires back say, another 1/2- 3/4" and then tie them together, one or more end up short and don't get wrapped up in under the electrical cap.

I'd strip the wires back as mentioned, cut the wire to proper length once all are wrapped together and you can see they have made a nice "bundle", and then wrap all wires together under an electrical cap...then try the light switch again...you should be all set now!

If you are not all set then you'll need an electrical tester and you'll want to check the light switch next...;)

Good luck!

Mark

[hkstroud]

When I am connecting small stranded appliance wires to a solid house wire, I strip back the stranded wire about 1/2 to 5/8 ". The more wires you are attaching the further back you need to strip them. I strip back the solid wire only about 3/8". I put the stranded wire in the wire nut first. I then put the solid wire in the wire nut and twist. The wire nut will twist the stranded wire around solid wire. Because the solid wire is only striped back a short distance the wire nut will also bite into the insulation for extra grip.

Use the smallest wire nut possible. Using a larger than necessary wire nut can result in a poor connection. I came across a bad connection in a ceiling fan a few days ago that was the result of someone using a wire nut that was to big.