Check out some similar questions!

lights007 · Jan 12, 2009, 09:20 PM

To my knowledge this light has never worked. I figure its already mounted why not try to make it work.All tests are good ,bulbs are good,etc.

Two 14-2 romex cables each coming from two nearby breaker panels that converge at a junction box and are wired into 1 length of 14-2 romex that runs into a box for a motion light. It is wired the following way at the junction box: 3 ground wires wire nutted together,3 neutral wires wire nutted together and the hot wire is pigtailed to each of the hot wires coming from the breaker panels and wire nutted to the hot wire going to the motion light box. All connections test out good and do not have signs of burn marks ,crumbling old wire etc.

codyman144 · Jan 12, 2009, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by lights007

Two 14-2 romex cables each coming from two nearby breaker panels that converge at a junction box and are wired into 1 length of 14-2 romex that runs into a box for a motion light.

That does not make any sense to me. Are you sure it is not one 14/2 wire from the service box and connecting to two wires in the j-box? Why the two breaker panels as you describe? And if they are both connecting to the same wire that feeds the light wouldn't that be a big no no (experts please correct me if I am wrong)?

Could you please describe a little better or maybe take some pictures?

Thanks - John

lights007 · Jan 13, 2009, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by codyman144

That does not make any sense to me. Are you sure it is not one 14/2 wire from the service box and connecting to two wires in the j-box? Why the two breaker panels as you describe? And if they are both connecting to the same wire that feeds the light wouldn't that be a big no no (experts please correct me if I am wrong)?

Could you please describe a little better or maybe take some pictures?

Thanks - John

Thank you for the reply. The connections made no sense to me either John. One conclusion I did come to is that at one time I was told before I purchased this duplex that the utility bill was shared/split between the two units,and perhaps they were trying to get power from both of the breaker panels to the motion light.Anyway I want to make it right.

codyman144 · Jan 13, 2009, 10:45 AM

Than wire it to just one of the incoming 14/2 lines from one of the breaker panels. Than cap the other one off. Do you have a voltage tester or similar device? If so you could use this to verify that you are getting power at the J-Box. If you are and it still doesn't work either the fixture is bad (which could be likely given the improper wiring) or there is a break in the line from the j-box to the light. Need to troubleshoot and narrow down where the problem is.

donf · Jan 13, 2009, 05:42 PM

Are you sure that there aren't two motion activated lights?

First, you would never source the 120 VAC feed from two distinct breakers, period.

Please obtain a volt/ohm meter and test the one line that feed the pigtails.

What I am looking for is one and only one constant Hot line.

Once you find that one line, connect the black from the feed to the black from the fixture. Connect the White from the Feed to the White from the fixture and then connect the Equipment grounding conductors (bare) together.

Turn the feed breaker back on and test the functionality of the one lamp.

Next check the same position on the other side of the duplex to see if there is also a motion detector there. If there is verify whether it is working. If it is not, then turn your breaker off and add the second light's line into the pigtails keeping the colors the same.