Ceiling fixture wiring

Question

Hello...The wiring is set up for a ceiling fan/light kit with 2 separate switches. I am only installing a flush mount light and no fan. The ceiling wiring includes black, red, ground and white. I connected black to black, white to white and grounds. The light came on, but neither switch would turn power off. I took switch plate off. There is a black and red to each of the 2 switches with 4 white neutrals connected with a wire nut. If only wanting a ceiling light controlled by 1 switch, how do you recommend wiring the ceiling fixture and switches? Thanks!

Answer

Is your light connected black to black, white to white, and ground to ground? Or, black to black, white to white and ground? It should be the former. If it is then you did it right. Make sure the red is capped off in the box. If it still does not work proper then test the switch with a multimeter to see if its working properly. Let me know if you need more information. Rick

Question

Hello, I have a ceiling fixture that keeps blowing out lightbulbs after just a few days after i hung a new light. I wired it to the double white and the single red. From my ceiling there are 2 black wires twisted together, there is also a pair of white ones twisted together as well, then there is a single red wire. At the switch the red is attached to the right side, and the black attached to the left. When i test for power this is what i find. switch in "off" position - white and black are hot, red %26 white no power, Black %26 white no power. Switch in the "on" position red %26 white are hot (the way i had it wired), black and white hot, black and red none. it seems the black and white are always hot and by pass the switch. I've had 2 different light fixtures there now and they both blow out bulbs within a few days. Can you help me? Chris

Answer

At the switch, you are stating THE black is attached on one side of the switch but at the ceiling there are two black wires, where did the second black wire come from, if it is in the switch box, how is it ran. I need to know every wire in the switch box, and what it is connected to. Also, what are you checking voltage with. An easy tester is available at any home supply. It looks like a permanent marker with a tip that lights up, makes a tone, or both when touched to a hot wire. It will only pick up voltage in a neutral if it is touching a hot and the neutral. I need to know in the switch box with this tester what is hot with the switch off and with it on. Thanks