0
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.
Red and white wires in a light fixture indicate that the fixture is designed for use with a three-way switch, which allows the light to be controlled from more than one location. The red wire typically carries the switched power, while the white wire serves as the neutral wire. This wiring setup is common in homes where three-way switches are used for lighting control.
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.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What if the new light fixture has 2 black wires and no white wire?
If the new light fixture has 2 black wires and no white wire, it likely means that the fixture is designed to be connected to a circuit where the white wire has been designated as the hot wire instead of the black wire. Make sure to double check the wiring and consult a professional if you are unsure.
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?
If there is no grounding wire present, you can still install the new light fixture using just the black and white wires. Make sure to connect the black wire to the live wire on the fixture and the white wire to the neutral wire. Since there is a GFCI outlet on the circuit, this will provide some level of shock protection in case of any electrical faults.
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?
It sounds like the black wires may be hot wires coming from the power source and the white wires could be neutral wires. The black wires are typically connected to the fixture's black wires. If the black wires aren't connected and capped off, the fixture won't receive power. It's important to properly connect all wires to ensure the fixture functions safely.
How do you hook up outside light fixture that has black white green to house wiring with only black and white?
Connect the black wire from the light fixture to the black house wire, the white wire from the light fixture to the white house wire, and the green wire from the light fixture to the junction box ground wire or directly to the house's grounding system. Make sure to turn off the power before starting any work and follow all safety guidelines.
Do you connect black wire to gold screw and white wire to silver screw in light fixture?
Yes, typically the black wire is connected to the gold screw (hot) and the white wire is connected to the silver screw (neutral) on a light fixture. It is important to ensure that the power is turned off before making any connections for safety.
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.
What if the new light fixture has 2 black wires and no white wire?
If the new light fixture has 2 black wires and no white wire, it likely means that the fixture is designed to be connected to a circuit where the white wire has been designated as the hot wire instead of the black wire. Make sure to double check the wiring and consult a professional if you are unsure.
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.
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?
If there is no grounding wire present, you can still install the new light fixture using just the black and white wires. Make sure to connect the black wire to the live wire on the fixture and the white wire to the neutral wire. Since there is a GFCI outlet on the circuit, this will provide some level of shock protection in case of any electrical faults.
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.
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.
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?
It sounds like the black wires may be hot wires coming from the power source and the white wires could be neutral wires. The black wires are typically connected to the fixture's black wires. If the black wires aren't connected and capped off, the fixture won't receive power. It's important to properly connect all wires to ensure the fixture functions safely.
How do you hook up outside light fixture that has black white green to house wiring with only black and white?
Connect the black wire from the light fixture to the black house wire, the white wire from the light fixture to the white house wire, and the green wire from the light fixture to the junction box ground wire or directly to the house's grounding system. Make sure to turn off the power before starting any work and follow all safety guidelines.
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 black wire to gold screw and white wire to silver screw in light fixture?
Yes, typically the black wire is connected to the gold screw (hot) and the white wire is connected to the silver screw (neutral) on a light fixture. It is important to ensure that the power is turned off before making any connections for safety.
