Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - strange things indeed
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WayneBo
08-23-05, 05:57 PM
:( I have three lights which no longer work, two fixtures i rplace about 3 months ago, they appear to be on the same circuit, the breaker is'nt blown, and none of the three work at all Help
chirkware
08-24-05, 05:34 AM
You need to determine whether or not they are all on the same circuit, and determine EVERYTHING that is on that circuit, whether it be lights, recepticals, appliances, etc. Unfortunately, this is hard to do since there is a currently a problem. For that reason, once you get this fixed, you really NEED to map out EVERY circuit in the house and determine what circuit EVERY light, receptical, appliance, etc. connects to. This will make trouble shooting easier the next time. Do this even if you panel box is labeled as to what each circuit serves.
If all three stopped working at the EXACT same time, it's likely they are on the same circuit. There may be other devices that do not work that you just have not noticed yet (such as a unused receptical hidden behind furniture).
You need to start checking this circuit (or circuits) for loose wires, a bad wirenut connection, etc. It is just as possible that the bad connection could be at a working light fixtures or receptical as at one of the non-working ones. Check switch boxes as well. As you check devices, you may find recepticals/switches that have the wires poked into a hole in the back of the device, rather than connected to the corresponding screw. These "back-stabs" are notorious for failure. Move all wires found to be backstabbed to the corresponding screw by bending a hook in the wire and attaching it to the screw (the hook should be such that it will be clockwise when looking at the screw). Tug on wires in wirenuts to see if any of them are loose. Remake any loose wirenut connections.
If you find that you have aluminum wiring on this circuit, don't do anything before you post back, as there are special considerations for Al.
If all three stopped working at the EXACT same time, it's likely they are on the same circuit. There may be other devices that do not work that you just have not noticed yet (such as a unused receptical hidden behind furniture).
You need to start checking this circuit (or circuits) for loose wires, a bad wirenut connection, etc. It is just as possible that the bad connection could be at a working light fixtures or receptical as at one of the non-working ones. Check switch boxes as well. As you check devices, you may find recepticals/switches that have the wires poked into a hole in the back of the device, rather than connected to the corresponding screw. These "back-stabs" are notorious for failure. Move all wires found to be backstabbed to the corresponding screw by bending a hook in the wire and attaching it to the screw (the hook should be such that it will be clockwise when looking at the screw). Tug on wires in wirenuts to see if any of them are loose. Remake any loose wirenut connections.
If you find that you have aluminum wiring on this circuit, don't do anything before you post back, as there are special considerations for Al.