[mossman68]

My bathroom lights aren't working, but the outlets are. Any ideas

[mossman68]

Update... three bathroom light switches not working. All outlets are working. These light switches seem to be on the same circuit. I've checked the breaker box and is getting electricity out of each breaker.

[donf]

Are each of the bathrooms on their own 20A branch circuits?

Is this a new installation or have these bathrooms been working all alone?

If they are existing bathrooms that have been working correctly, then what has changed to make the circuits fail?

[matt902]

Check the bulbs.

[donf]

Mossman,

Please answer my questions or provide an update on your situation.

[mossman68]

Don... In my breaker box, I have one circuit labels "Master Bath Lights" and one labeled "Bathroom GFI". I have 3 bathrooms in total. No other bathrooms are labeled on the panel. The one labeled "Bathroom Lights" is on a 15 amp breaker. This is an existing bathroom that was built in 2001 and no changes. The lights worked... I left the house for a couple of hours, came back and they didn't work. I do have an exhaust fan in the "toilet room". Do you think it could have anything to do with it. I have checked all of the GFI outlets that I am aware of and they seem to be OK.

[donf]

GFCI protection is required for receptacles only in a bathroom. Particularly if your circuit serves multiple bathroom receptacles. If this is true, then that circuit cannot serve anything else, but receptacles and it should not be less then 20A.

Without knowing whether the lights are being powered from the switch or from a source in the ceiling then through a switch loop and back to the light fixture is a problem.

If the lighting in the three bathrooms is being fed by the same circuit, you need to make sure that the breaker is actually providing the correct voltage to the circuit.

Use a Multi Meter to determine the output to the lighting outlets.

To the best of your knowledge, nothing has been done (electrically) speaking in your home.

No circuits added, or circuits changed?

It is very possible that the earlier that a surge on the circuit took out all the bulbs, but if your lights are tied to different circuits, then I would look for something else.

Have you used a meter to verify that there is voltage being brought to the switches?




There is n

[mossman68]

Don... I just found the problem. The light switch to the entry to the closet had a loose wire that was pulled from the back of the switch... not connected to a screw. This was apparently the first switch in the line and the wire that was loose feeds the other light switches and the fans. I hooked it back up and everything works. I don't know why the wire came loose though... Any ideas... I tried to stick it back in the hole, but it wouldn't stay... guess it has a bad spring in there. Now, can I have two wires connected to the same side screw, or will that cause problems.

[donf]

"Back Stabbing", placing the conductors is notorious for loose conductors. I suggest that you replace the broken switch, and use the screws on the side to connect the conductors.

If you connect the two conductors to the switch, then you have effectively wired around the switch. Please do not do
That.

[mossman68]

No, I think you misunderstood. There are three wires connected to the switch. One to the top screw and two to the bottom screw. I am guessing that the two connected to the bottom screw go to two different places. The switch works. Is it OK to connect both "bottom" wires to the same screw. Thank you.

[donf]

You seem to have a simple snap switch being used as a three way switch. Does the handle of the switch have "On/Off" embossed on it?

Also, you might have a feed to the switch connected along with a jumper to the next switch.

Can you send us a picture of what you have in the switch box, please.

Something sounds very incorrect here.

[mossman68]

This is not a three way switch. I believe that the second wire connected to the bottom screw is a feed to the next switch.