Replacing porch light

[Pmcginnis821]

New home owner here diy. I went to replace the porch light and didn’t take note to how the wiring was attatched before removal so know when going to install new fixture I’m left with 2 sets of romex(black, white, and bare) but there’s also an additional black wire by itself that I’m not sure where I should attach it to.
The set up is : front porch pole light and a wall porch light both controlled by the same switch. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[westward10]

Do you remember if this additional black was actually connected.

 

[Pmcginnis821]

Do you remember if this additional black was actually connected.

I’m almost positive it was yes and when I use the no contact tester it signals as a live wire so I’m pretty confused

 

[westward10]

It is pretty much impossible to say where you should connect it. No contact voltage testers are unreliable when trying to prove if something is live or dead.

 

[Pmcginnis821]

It is pretty much impossible to say where you should connect it. No contact voltage testers are unreliable when trying to prove if something is live or dead.

Now that I’ve been thinking about it I’m pretty sure that it was wrapped with the ground wire. Is it possibly whoever wired it originally just used spare black wire as a ground?

 

[westward10]

Without some testing it is impossible to say you may have to seek professional help.