Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Light not working -Electrical
My post light is not working, it is connected to an night-sensor and a
wall switch that is mounted in the house. I thought it might be the sensor, so I removed it but nothing. Then I tested the line with the socket disconnected and the switch flipped on --nothing. (just bare wire off the post.) Next I took apart the switch, it has power. The porch light is on the same circuit, different switch, it works. Next I located in the basement where the wire leaves the house. There was junction box that changed the line to outdoor-rated wiring (my assumption). I then flipped on the CB and switch. No power to the line coming from the house. Does this mean the wire from the switch to the junction box has an open? Is it common that 14AWG copper get opens in them after they are installed? My house is 9 years old. I wish I had a continuity tester with really long leads. How do I trace where the open is? How do I rerun wire that is behind dry wall? Thanks -- Phil |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
If you want to test continuity on a long run, disconnect the powered
end (e.g. at the circuit breaker box), and connect the white and black leads at the far end. Then check for continuity back at the box. Higglity wrote: My post light is not working, it is connected to an night-sensor and a wall switch that is mounted in the house. I thought it might be the sensor, so I removed it but nothing. Then I tested the line with the socket disconnected and the switch flipped on --nothing. (just bare wire off the post.) Next I took apart the switch, it has power. The porch light is on the same circuit, different switch, it works. Next I located in the basement where the wire leaves the house. There was junction box that changed the line to outdoor-rated wiring (my assumption). I then flipped on the CB and switch. No power to the line coming from the house. Does this mean the wire from the switch to the junction box has an open? Is it common that 14AWG copper get opens in them after they are installed? My house is 9 years old. I wish I had a continuity tester with really long leads. How do I trace where the open is? How do I rerun wire that is behind dry wall? Thanks -- Phil |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
You may have a break in the wire near the switch or near one of
its other connection points, BUT the break might be just inside the insulation so it looks like the wire is ok. Try pulling on the wire at those points to see if you can pull the broken piece OUT of its insulated covering. OR, try pulling and pushing with the power on and observe the light when you do to see if the connection is being made. OR, you may have a wire nut connection that is pulled out or broken. Especially look at the neutral run. It is very unlikely that the wire is broken away from a box in the wire's run. --Phil Andrew Duane wrote: If you want to test continuity on a long run, disconnect the powered end (e.g. at the circuit breaker box), and connect the white and black leads at the far end. Then check for continuity back at the box. Higglity wrote: My post light is not working, it is connected to an night-sensor and a wall switch that is mounted in the house. I thought it might be the sensor, so I removed it but nothing. Then I tested the line with the socket disconnected and the switch flipped on --nothing. (just bare wire off the post.) Next I took apart the switch, it has power. The porch light is on the same circuit, different switch, it works. Next I located in the basement where the wire leaves the house. There was junction box that changed the line to outdoor-rated wiring (my assumption). I then flipped on the CB and switch. No power to the line coming from the house. Does this mean the wire from the switch to the junction box has an open? Is it common that 14AWG copper get opens in them after they are installed? My house is 9 years old. I wish I had a continuity tester with really long leads. How do I trace where the open is? How do I rerun wire that is behind dry wall? Thanks -- Phil -- Phil Munro Dept of Electrical & Computer Engin Youngstown State University Youngstown, Ohio 44555 |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
WOW! It seems so obvious now. Thank You!!
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
"Higglity" wrote in message oups.com... My post light is not working, it is connected to an night-sensor and a wall switch that is mounted in the house. SNIP Does this mean the wire from the switch to the junction box has an open? Is it common that 14AWG copper get opens in them after they are installed? My house is 9 years old. I wish I had a continuity tester with really long leads. It will be interesting to see what you find. It's not unusual for a line which goes outside like yours does to open or fault because of a close-by lightning strike. Let's hope that the copper wires outside in the ground didn't vaporize. TKM |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Adding a single light to a dual switch light system | Home Repair | |||
Electrical advice please. confused light switchesŠ | Home Repair | |||
Inground spa light replacement question | Home Repair | |||
Changing a light bulb on R.C.M | Metalworking | |||
Making a ruin into something habitable. | UK diy |