Understanding Light Fixture Electrical Wiring

The Basics of Light Fixture Electrical Wiring: Electrical testers enable you to identify electrical circuits and help prevent the possibility of accidental electrical shock.

Basics of Light Fixture Electrical Wiring
[ad#block]Electrical Question I’m installing a light fixture.

• There are three wires–black, white, and red.
• Wire testing shows black is the ground.
• When I attach my light fixture’s ground to black and switch power back on, I have no power to anything.
• To circumvent this, I attached the light fixture’s ground wire to the screw for ground wires on the crossbar.
• I then attached the hot wires and the light works fine.

I Have Two Electrical Questions:

1.  Why do I lose power when I attach the ground wire?
2. Is it safe for me to leave everything hooked up the way it is?

Background: Eric, a Homeowner from Ladera Ranch, CA.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Eric.

The Basics of Light Fixture Electrical Wiring

• Eric, the readings that you are getting may be caused by a number of factors,
  • including not fully understanding or considering all the other components that are connected to the circuit,
  • switch positions,
  • ground connections
  • or neutral connections.

The Following  will assist you with light fixture wiring:
using electrical testers

• Electrical Safety and Voltage Testers
• When working on home electrical wiring, quality 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.

You identified your project to be about Troubleshooting, so you might find this information useful:
Troubleshooting

• Troubleshooting Electrical Wiring
• Licensed Electrician Reveals the Secrets of Successful Electrical Troubleshooting Methods used to solve the majority of the home electrical problems and wiring failures encountered.

• Electrical Safety
• Electrical Grounding
• Lighting For The Home
  Lighting Electrical Codes
• Light Switch Wiring
  Wiring Diagrams
  3 Way Switch Diagram
• Troubleshooting Electrical Wiring
• Electrical Wire for the Home

For more information about Electrical Wiring
Electrical Wiring

Make sure not to miss these Resources for: Wiring Diagrams
Wiring Diagrams

The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring: » You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! « Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book Great for any Home Wiring Project. Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring Perfect for Homeowners, Students, Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians Includes: Wiring GFCI Outlets Wiring Home Electric Circuits 120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits Wiring Light Switches Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring ....and much more. Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring with my Online Video Course: Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example

Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires! The Non-Contact Electrical Tester This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use. The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring! The Plug-In Outlet Tester This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use. Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire! The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.

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