Problem with Light Circuit Wiring

By Dave Rongey Summary: Electrical Troubleshooting Question: An electrician wired a single pole switch box to two ceiling flush mount fixture boxes. I can't figure out what they did to hook it all up now that I finished the room.

How to Fix a Problem with a Light Circuit

How to Install Recessed Lights Helping You Wire it Right Check out my YouTube Channel, and Subscribe!

Electrical Troubleshooting Question:
An electrician wired a single pole switch box to two ceiling flush mount fixture boxes. I can't figure out what they did to hook it all up now that I finished the room. All wires are Romex 12/2.

Fixture 1 seems to have the source power, with one spliced Romex end with electric tape wrapped around the Black and White. There is a second Romex cable here, presumably to head down to the switch.

Fixture 2 has a single Romex end, presumably leading to the switch box. In the switch box there are 3 romex cables. One was marked as feed, which I think would lead to the fixture box at Fixture 1.

So I can't figure out why there are 3 cables in the switch box and how to wire this.
Thanks- Dave.

Hi Dave - Great Electrical Repair Question!
In order to positively identify the wiring you will need to do some electrical troubleshooting and to help do this you will need to use a ohm meter.

Here is a procedure that should help you. I have also added a link below to wiring diagrams which may help you understand how this circuit may be wired.

How to Identify Light Fixture and Switch Wiring
This article will help you identify a pair of wires with the power off.
You will be using a Tester that will send a small amount of voltage through the wires which will produce a reading or tone , depending on the meter you will be using.
Common Ohm Meters or Signal Testers: Volt / Ohm Meter.

Required:
Volt / Ohm Meter, Wire connector
First: Be sure the circuit is OFF and clearly labeled that the circuit is to Stay Off while you are conducting these checks.

*Verify that the circuit is in fact OFF using a Volt Meter or Circuit Tester. After you have verified the power is off proceed.

Ohm Meter Setting
Set your Ohm Meter to measure a low resistance setting such as Rx1K or 1000 Ohms.
Touch the test leads together to test your meter, you should get a 0 reading which means there is zero resistance between the two test leads.

Identifying a set or pair of wires
Select the pair of wires you need to identify at one location.
Remove the insulation back about one half inch. Twist a wire connector on these two wires creating a temporary splice.

Next: Select one of the pairs of wires you are working with. Remove the insulation back about one half inch.

Testing with the Ohm Meter
Now using the ohm meter place the one test lead to one wire, and the other test lead to the other.
If you get a 0 resistance reading go to the pair of wires where the wire connector creates the temporary splice and remove the wire connector.

Re test the ohm meter on the other pair of wires and see if you still get the 0 reading.

If there is no 0 reading then you have identified this pair of wires.
Label this pair of wires and proceeded with the test to identify any other pairs of wires.