Bathroom light fixture question
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David, how can power get to the light fixture if the switch is off? I'm just wondering because I thought the circuit has to be closed in order to power the light. If the switch is off, then the circuit is open. Unless I'm mistaken, in which case I'm back to where I was in being scared of doing electrical stuff.
Another way is to run the power to the light fixture then run the power thru one wire to the switch & back up from the switch to the light. In this case the power is still in the light fixture no matter what position the switch is in. This way usually requires less wire (and less money) so it is done quite often.Comment
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Looks like you got pretty lucky. The last one of these I replaced, the builders
painted around the box and I had a bear of a time trying to match the paint.
Looks like you only have to fill two holes!
Looks good!
PaulComment
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How I did not get even a little nip of electricity is beyond me. I was very dazed for a moment
This way usually requires less wire (and less money) so it is done quite often.
Another similar method is to use the fixture as a junction box for another unrelated wire on a different breaker or switch. You can turn off the breaker and switch, disconnect your wires, lick your fingers even and touch the wires - no problem. Then you stick your hand in the box to move the ground wire out of the way and ZAP you accidentally touch that other wire that is still live and the sheathing was removed below the cap.
I'm hoping to have the same effect on electrical work. Soon. I hope.Comment
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So I always just turn the breaker off. Then I don't have to worry either way.David
The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment.Comment
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One way to wire a light fixture is to run the power to the switch, & then up to the light. In this case the power to the light IS off when the switch is off.
Another way is to run the power to the light fixture then run the power thru one wire to the switch & back up from the switch to the light. In this case the power is still in the light fixture no matter what position the switch is in. This way usually requires less wire (and less money) so it is done quite often.
If it helps, bad electrical wiring is more likely to throw you across the room, give you a good jolt, or maybe cause a small burn than to lose an appendage. I don't know where you rank these kinds of risks, but you can fly across the room 50 times but you only have one left thumb to lose.Comment
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For anyone who is dealing with electrical wiring, even basic fixture replacement, you should own one of these
http://us.fluke.com/usen/products/Fl...keUnitedStates
It tells you if the circuit is hot and is considered a basic safety device. all you do is hold it on the wire or stick it into the receptacle and it lights up and beeps if it is hot. it costs $15 for a really nice one at HD or Lowes. it works great for trouble shooting and tracing circuits also.Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas EdisonComment
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Also, make sure the battery isn't dead...that's how I got the BANG! I mentioned above. Stick it next to a known hot line to test.Mike
Drywall screws are not wood screwsComment
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The one I ordered is supposed to have a self-diagnostic step where it makes sure the battery is working. When I read that part in the specs, I thought it's one of those forehead-slapping realizations where a false negative could lead to disastrous results, as you can attest to.Comment
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More like false positives
I have used several of those over the years and sometimes if a dead wire runs parrallell to a live wire it will test as a false positive. I was wiring a workshop a few years ago that did not have any power ran to it yet and was messing around with my ac voltage detector and gor some false positives because a high tension power line was about 75 ft away and anything long and metal in the place would make it beep.LinkComment
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I have the little one with 2 leads and a light. If the light is on, there is power. No batteries false positives or anything else to worry about.David
The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment.Comment
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