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barry martin
 
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Default electrical question

Maria:

MB Please forgive this probably stupid question but I know absolutely
MB nothing about these things. I have a ceiling hallway light that has

We all had to starting learning at some point!

MB stopped working. I have checked and replaced the bulb but it still
MB doesnt work. Here is what happened.
MB
MB Several months ago this llight started diming for a second or two then
MB going back on fully. It did this for a number of weeks until it
MB diming and finally went out. Will not work at all now.
MB
MB What do I need to do?

The problem is a bad contact in the circuit. If your house is older
it may be the springy flat piece of metal at the base of the light
fixture isn't making good contact. WITH THE POWER OFF to the light
fixture take a small screwdriver or something similar and pull the
springy contact out about an eighth of an inch. Replace the lightbulb.
(It is a good light bulb, right? They can be bad directly out of the
box.)

If that's not the problem then possibly the light fixture is faulty --
I had one where it pretty much fell apart because of a reaction
between dissimilar metals (the rivets holding the pieces together
essentially dissolved). Could also be a problem with a loose wire to
the light fixture, at the switch, or the switch itself.

This is a good beginner's project but I would suggest doing it under
the supervision of a knowledgeable friend as electricity can be
dangerous. If no one is available and you still want to do it
yourself a basic "wiring switches and light fixtures" book from the
store or the library with lots of pictures (diagrams are sometimes
better than photos as can be clearer).

-
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