How to Test Electrical Wiring for a Light Fixture
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Is there a problem with the voltage to my light fixture? How to Test Electrical Wiring for Light Fixtures. © By: Dave Rongey |
Testing Light Fixture Wires
Electrical Question: Is there a problem with the voltage to my light fixture?
- I was recently replacing a porch ceiling light in my old house. There was no light there for quite a long time. The wires were still in place and was connected to 2 switches in the entrance way. One switch controlled an older fixture from a previous owner, which was disconnected from the junction box in the basement to which it was originally wired to.
- My son removed one switch which the lights were connected to in tandem somehow. He purchase a new switch for the installation.
- When he measured the voltage from the source, it only read 105 Volts on the meter.
- He installed the switch and measured the voltage at the ceiling box where the light would be installed. The reading was 105Volts on the meter again.
- He installed the light, turned the power on, but the light did not work.
- He measured the voltage in the bulb base socket and measured 105 Volts again. Can you advise me what the problem may be?
- We checked the bulbs and they all work fine. We made sure the bulb and socket connections made contact, tried again, but the bulbs did not light. Incandescent or Fluorescent both tried and did not work.
I really do appreciate any assistance you may provide.
Thanks sincerely,
Ron
This electrical wiring question came from: Ron, a Homeowner from Jersey City, New Jersey.
Electrical Question #2: My electrical wiring project involves a Fluorescent Light in the Basement.
I have both a black and a white unconnected wires, yet they both have 110 current to them. The lights they go to do not work. When I connect the white to ground and the black to a breaker the lights work. Why is there not a short and how do I find where the current is being supplied to the wires?
This electrical wiring question came from Clay, a Homeowner in Bountiful, Utah.
Dave’s Reply:
Thank you for your electrical wiring questions.
Voltage Readings for Light Fixtures
- Testing Voltage
- Testing electrical wiring can produce different results depending on the method, so it is best to test each insulated wire to ground, one at a time, and then test between the two insulated wires, typically black and white for 120 volts.
- Abnormal Voltage
- If an abnormal voltage reading is produced then the circuit and other loads or devices that are connected to the circuit must be identified, inspected and tested as well.
- Causes of Low Voltage
- When a lower voltage reading is produced it is very possible that the reading is due to a feedback of voltage through the neutral wire, which is very typical with incandescent lighting circuits.
- Neutral Wire Voltage
- The neutral wire may be producing voltage that the tester indicates, but when an actual load is applied to the circuit the full circuit voltage is not available on the hot side of the circuit.
More about Testing Electrical Wiring
Understanding Electrical Testers
When working on home electrical wiring using voltage testers can play an important part in electrical safety. Electrical testers enable you to identify electrical circuits and help prevent the possibility of accidental electrical shock.
Types of Electrical Testers
Wiring a Light Switch – Diagram 1
Fully explained pictures and wiring diagrams about wiring light switches describing the most common switches starting with photo diagram 1.
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