This ceiling fixture is controlled via a single switch. The switch does
not control anything but this fixture -- even though there is at least
one other outlet that loses power when the circuit is off.

The house is 68 years old, but very well taken care of. It's new to me
-- just moved in a couple of weeks ago. This fixture (at least the box
itself) appears to be original to the house.

I though the black wire was hot -- and the white wire was neutral
(return)...

Now remember, this is old, braided (cloth-covered) wire -- and, as
such, it's a bit difficult to tell whether the white is actually white
and the black is actually black (one is simply dingier than the other).

Should I try reversing the connection? Meaning -- maybe I'm wrong and
the black is actually white and vice-versa...


Rich256 wrote:
wrote:
Yeah, that's the weird thing -- I thought the same. So I tried the same
bulb that worked in the other socket -- nothing.

Then I returned the fixture -- and got another one (same
type/replacement) -- and it does the same thing.

Very odd. Doesn't make any sense.

The line doesn't end at this fixture, though -- it goes up to (3) other
fixtures -- and there's also at least one outlet on the same line.

They're all working fine.

Any ideas?


Additional outlets should not make any difference.

A bulb connected between the hot wire (white) and return (black) should
light.

Is this a switched ceiling outlet? If so are you saying there are other
outlets controlled by the same switch?