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    ddhiggi's Avatar
    ddhiggi Posts: 50, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
    		  
    #1

    Oct 11, 2009, 05:39 PM
    Wiring a light switch
    I know it seems simple but I keep tripping the breaker. I have a ceiling box that's serving as a junction box. Right now I have a hot pair, 2 pair of wires that feed another section of the house and my switch pair and the ceramic light that connects to all this. How do I connect these and still feed the house and operate the light with the switch?
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #2

    Oct 11, 2009, 06:46 PM

    Your description is a bit vague so I am going to start with the basics. The only wire going to and from a switch is a black wire. The switch just interrupts that one wire. The whites are your neutrals and are not connected to the switch at all. If you want power to other parts of the house and not be controlled by a switch then you must connect a pig tail to the black prior to the swicth.
    EPMiller's Avatar
    EPMiller Posts: 624, Reputation: 37
    Senior Member
    		  
    #3

    Oct 11, 2009, 06:54 PM

    First temporarily ignore the pair of wires that go to the switch.

    Connect all the rest of the white conductors (neutrals) together. Remember to include the neutral pigtail for the light fixture. Make certain that you have the correct sized wire nut. If you don't know which one that is, you shouldn't be doing this job.

    Now bring the switch pair back into the mix. Grab all the black (hot) conductors EXCEPT the one to the LIGHT FIXTURE and connect them all together using the correct sized wire nut.

    Now wrap the white conductor coming back from the switch with black or red electrical tape and connect it to the black wire or brass colored (HOT) terminal screw of the light fixture. You also should label the white conductor down at the switch with tape the same way.

    Now everything should work unless your description wasn't accurate. If still in doubt, please call a professional. Electricity doesn't forgive mistakes. And mistakes do not always trip breakers before causing other damage.

    EPM
    ddhiggi's Avatar
    ddhiggi Posts: 50, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
    		  
    #4

    Oct 11, 2009, 07:54 PM

    Ok I can wire all the neutrals together with a pigtail to the light and wire nut the "hot" blacks all together but what do I end up doing with the black coming from the switch that you said to leave out?
    ddhiggi's Avatar
    ddhiggi Posts: 50, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
    		  
    #5

    Oct 11, 2009, 08:26 PM
    Ignore last statements... I think I get it> I'll try it tomorrow and let you know what happens.
    ddhiggi's Avatar
    ddhiggi Posts: 50, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
    		  
    #6

    Oct 14, 2009, 08:11 AM

    Everything worked great! Thank you very much.
    EPMiller's Avatar
    EPMiller Posts: 624, Reputation: 37
    Senior Member
    		  
    #7

    Oct 16, 2009, 05:34 PM

    Thank you. I'm glad I could help you.

    EPM
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