answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

In the US (and others?) black is hot and white is neutral. The two are never connected together. However, the code allows a white conductor to be switched hot if the ends are properly identified, such as by wrapping with color identifier (usually black) tape. Before you make any changes, however, look at the entire circuit. If an error has been made in one part, it is often that a "correcting" error was made in another.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

7y ago

It sounds like the light fixture's junction box is used as a through box for additional devices further along in the circuit. This would account for the two white wires being connected together to continue the neutral to another load device. As for the black wires, one could be the "hot" into the junction box from the distribution panel supply or a return "hot" from a switch that controls the light fixture. The other could be a feeder that connects the first fixture to a second fixture. Without seeing a photo of the wiring and what other wires are in the same cable set, it is hard to state completely what the wires do.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

In the US and Canada, the white wire is universally the neutral.

The "hot" wire can be red or black, both are used. Maybe the manufacturer was able to get a good deal on red wire.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why light fixture has red and white wire instead of white and black?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

You want to install a new light fixture in your bathroom upon removing the old fixture down you discover there is no grounding wire only a black and white wire and GFCI outlet on the circuit?

Just install the new fixture with black to black, white to white, and cap off the ground wire on the new fixture. It'll be fine.


Outside porch lamp has no box just two wires coming in black wires are tied and don't connect to fixture just the white wires what is going on here?

You would have to provide more info to be certain what your problem is. Typically a black and white wire would connect to the two wires on the light fixture. The fixture should also be controlled by a switch that "breaks" the black (Hot Wire) to turn off the fixture. If you have a volt meter you can see if there is 120Volts between the black and white wires with switch on. If there is a single white wire going to fixture (Neutral), where is the "black wires tied" to. Maybe one of the black wires has broken off the fixture.


Do you connect black wire to gold screw and white wire to silver screw in light fixture?

Yes, that is the correct connection.


Do you connect both wires on a pull chain switch one to black one to white?

There should be two wires in the box, black and white and possibly a bare one depending on the age of the wiring in the house. The fixture has two screws on the base. One wire goes on each screw. If there are short wires on the fixture, black to black and white to white. If there is a bare ground wire in the house box, it attaches to the body of the fixture. If there is no ground screw on the fixture, do not worry about it.


How do you wire an exhaust fan to an end of circuit switch?

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hertz supply service.I want to add an exhaust fan to the existing light switch, it's already on a 20 amp circuit, it's only got 1 light and 2 receptacles on it. However, I popped the cover off the switch today to find that the switch is not wired normally, with the 2 white leads tied together behind the switch, and the black leads going through the switch. Instead I have only 1 black lead, and 1 white lead in the box. The white then leads back to the black lead on the existing light. With just the two wires in the switch box, it means that the junction you will have to tie into is in the light fixture junction box. The usual wiring in this type of connection is, the circuit "hot" is connected to the white wire that goes down to the switch box and connects to the top of the switch. Code states that this wire should be identified as a "hot" conductor by having a black tape identifier on it. The voltage returns back to the fixture on the black wire from the bottom terminal on the switch. To tie a fan into this circuit it has to be paralleled to the light fixture at the light fixture junction box. Connect the fan feeder's white wire to the neutral (white wire) in the light fixture junction box. Connect the fan feeder's black wire to the black wire that returns from the switch and parallel it to the wire that is now connected to the light fixture. This will give you a connection that will turn on the light fixture and the new fan, from the same switch.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energizedIF YOU ARE NOT REALLY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

Related questions

Can you run power from a light fixture to another light fixture?

Yes. Connect Black to Black, White to White and bare ground wires together.


You want to install a new light fixture in your bathroom upon removing the old fixture down you discover there is no grounding wire only a black and white wire and GFCI outlet on the circuit?

Just install the new fixture with black to black, white to white, and cap off the ground wire on the new fixture. It'll be fine.


Do you hook up white or black first when changing a light fixture?

As the power to the light fixture should be, and hopefully is off, it does not matter which you hook up first.


When wiring a light fixture does black go black and white on white?

If these are all the wires you have then this would be a great assumption. It assumes also that everything before the fixture is wired correctly and with commonly used color schemes.


When connecting a ceiling fan in an old home and the existing light is wired black to white and white to black what should you do?

At that point, you should verify the home wiring; make certain that the black wire IS, in fact, the "hot" wire and that the white wire IS in fact the neutral. If the house is wired properly, connect the new fixture with "black to black and white to white." If you aren't certain that the house wiring was done properly, contact a local electrician to perform the work for you. Connecting a light fixture improperly can be dangerous to you and to anyone who subsequently changes a bulb or otherwise comes in contact with the fixture.


Outside porch lamp has no box just two wires coming in black wires are tied and don't connect to fixture just the white wires what is going on here?

You would have to provide more info to be certain what your problem is. Typically a black and white wire would connect to the two wires on the light fixture. The fixture should also be controlled by a switch that "breaks" the black (Hot Wire) to turn off the fixture. If you have a volt meter you can see if there is 120Volts between the black and white wires with switch on. If there is a single white wire going to fixture (Neutral), where is the "black wires tied" to. Maybe one of the black wires has broken off the fixture.


My light fixture has writing on one wire but not the other?

If both wires are black then the one with the writing is the neutral wire. If the two wires are black and white then the white one is the neutral.


Do you connect black wire to gold screw and white wire to silver screw in light fixture?

Yes, that is the correct connection.


Troubleshooting 40 year old outside wiring to light fixture?

Yes


If both wires for a ceiling light fixture are black how do you tell which is the live wire and which is neutral?

If both wires are black, the one that connects to your white wire is the one that should have little writing on it. Black to the plain black wire, white to the wire with writing.


Do you connect both wires on a pull chain switch one to black one to white?

There should be two wires in the box, black and white and possibly a bare one depending on the age of the wiring in the house. The fixture has two screws on the base. One wire goes on each screw. If there are short wires on the fixture, black to black and white to white. If there is a bare ground wire in the house box, it attaches to the body of the fixture. If there is no ground screw on the fixture, do not worry about it.


What is the advantage of the pupil being black?

The advantage is that black eye will absorb the light instead of reflecting it. Black absorbs light and white reflects all off it