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    numbersguy's Avatar
    numbersguy Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Aug 6, 2015, 05:31 AM
    Changing light fixture- 2 separate wires in the ceiling (3 wire and a 2 wire)
    I know this has been answered before but my situation is a bit different. Installing a replacement light fixture. In the ceiling are TWO separate wires. One is 2 wire plus ground and the second is 3 wires plus ground. Fixture has black, white, and round connection. I connected the two black wires together and pigtailed off it to the light fixture wire. I did the same for the whites. I capped off the red. I assume I need to cap off the black on the 3 wire plus ground wiring and then wire nut the red from the 3 wire plus ground wire to the black on the two wire plus ground wire and pigtail it to the black light fixture wire. Would this be correct?

    Thanks for your help.
    ebaines's Avatar
    ebaines Posts: 12,131, Reputation: 1307
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    #2

    Aug 6, 2015, 06:14 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by numbersguy
    I connected the two black wires together and pigtailed off it to the light fixture wire. I did the same for the whites. I capped off the red.
    Did this not work correctly?

    Quote Originally Posted by numbersguy
    I assume I need to cap off the black on the 3 wire plus ground wiring and then wire nut the red from the 3 wire plus ground wire to the black on the two wire plus ground wire and pigtail it to the black light fixture wire. Would this be correct?
    Impossible to say from the information provided. When you disconnected the old fixture how was it wired? If you're not sure please describe the switch arrangement in the room - is the light controlled by one switch, or two? It would be helpful to see how the switch(es) are wired, that is how red, black and white are connected. Also, if you have a voltmeter it would be helpful to check which of the black and/or red wires are energized from the circuit breaker.
    numbersguy's Avatar
    numbersguy Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Aug 6, 2015, 12:07 PM
    OK, let me answer my own question...

    In the ceiling are TWO separate wires. One is 2 wire plus ground and the second is 3 wires plus ground. Fixture has black, white, and ground connection. Switch is single pole. How to wire to light fixture.

    First, turn off the circuit breaker to the light-fixture. Use an electronic circuit detector to make SURE power is OFF. Remove the old fixture.

    Next, wire-nut the BLACKS from the two separate wires (the 3 wire + ground and the 2 wire + ground) to the BLACK wire from the new light fixture.
    Next, wire-nut the WHITES from the two wires and the WHITE wire from the fixture together (these are the travelers sending current to the light switch.)
    Connect ground wires together.
    Lastly, wire-nut the RED wire from the 3 wire plus ground wire bundle to the WHITE wire coming from the light fixture.
    Turn the circuit breaker back on and try the light-switch. Should work fine!
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #4

    Aug 6, 2015, 12:24 PM
    First the terminology.

    A wire is a wire. A cable is two or more wires in an outer covering. A 2-wire cable (proper terminology is 2 conductor cable) has a black, white and ground wire. We don't count the ground. It is not a conductor. A 3-wire (conductor) cable would have a black, white, red and ground wire.

    Would this be correct?
    Not very likely. You cannot wire just looking at wire colors. You have to look at how the wires are being used.

    Remove the switch and tell us what cables and wires you have there, and how they are connected

    Lastly, wire-nut the RED wire from the 3 wire plus ground wire bundle to the WHITE wire coming from the light fixture.
    There is no way that could be correct
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #5

    Aug 6, 2015, 03:13 PM
    Red, if hot will immediately trip the breaker if connected to a neutral. I think we need to go back to first base. How was the old light wired? With a red wire, you either have a 3 way or another switch with a red wire on it or it is being used in a switch loop circuit. Can you see a red wire on the "single pole switch". "these are the travelers sending current to the light switch.-if this is the case you do have a switch loop although the term "travelers" is normally used with 3 way switches.
    SADIEA's Avatar
    SADIEA Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Dec 2, 2019, 02:32 PM
    Im learning, so bear with me; in my kichen, i have 3 black wires & 1 red t0 connected to black. Also, 1 white to white to ceiling light fixture. 1st light switch has white to ground, red to white & blk to blk; other wall light switch is wired 1 blk to white, red to where black should be and 1 other red to top receptacle on same side and other red,problem light stays on and neither switch will turn it off. Please what is wrong
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #7

    Dec 5, 2019, 06:23 AM
    My guess is you have a three way switch setup, two switches that control one light. If your not familiar with this wiring arrangement and do not know how to troubleshoot the system, you will need to hire a qualified electrician to make corrections. I provided a link that will show the numerous wiring diagrams for a 3 way switch:
    https://www.google.com/search?q=3+wa...w=1232&bih=620

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