crownpr1nce
DIY
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Here is a picture of the ceiling box
In the kitchen we have recessed spotlights and there used to be a ceiling fan, and there is only 1 switch with a dimmer. We removed the fan and wanted to add a Bazz disk to sort of fit in with the spots. I opened it up, connected it in every possible combination and nothing works. Here is a summary of what I figured out:
- The black from OLD and NEW have to be connected together or the spots won't work at all
- I connected the 3 whites and 3 grounds together and never touched them. Assuming that's correct
- I tried every combination with the 3 black wires (OLD group, NEW group and light ficture) and red wire, nothing worked.
- If I connect the light fixture to NEW black, it is always on regardless of what else is connected there
- If I don't connect it to to NEW black, no matter the combo, it won't turn on at all
I tested the wires with a contactless wire tester:
- NEW black and NEW red seem to be always live even when the switch is off.
- OLD black seems to be live when the switch is on, but its unclear. The tester beeps a few times and stops. If I move it a bit it'll do the same. Worth noting I think the wire is aluminium (old house)
- When I pass the tester over one of the spot, it beeps whether the spot (and switch) is on or not.
- White and ground have no readings
I am completely stumped. No idea what to do or what is going on... I re-wired it OLD with NEW black and took off the fixture for now. The spots work right now.
Ask any question if it can help!
In the kitchen we have recessed spotlights and there used to be a ceiling fan, and there is only 1 switch with a dimmer. We removed the fan and wanted to add a Bazz disk to sort of fit in with the spots. I opened it up, connected it in every possible combination and nothing works. Here is a summary of what I figured out:
- The black from OLD and NEW have to be connected together or the spots won't work at all
- I connected the 3 whites and 3 grounds together and never touched them. Assuming that's correct
- I tried every combination with the 3 black wires (OLD group, NEW group and light ficture) and red wire, nothing worked.
- If I connect the light fixture to NEW black, it is always on regardless of what else is connected there
- If I don't connect it to to NEW black, no matter the combo, it won't turn on at all
I tested the wires with a contactless wire tester:
- NEW black and NEW red seem to be always live even when the switch is off.
- OLD black seems to be live when the switch is on, but its unclear. The tester beeps a few times and stops. If I move it a bit it'll do the same. Worth noting I think the wire is aluminium (old house)
- When I pass the tester over one of the spot, it beeps whether the spot (and switch) is on or not.
- White and ground have no readings
I am completely stumped. No idea what to do or what is going on... I re-wired it OLD with NEW black and took off the fixture for now. The spots work right now.
Ask any question if it can help!
- TL;DR
- 7 wires in a ceiling fixture that used to house a fan, 2 are always live. Can't figure out how to link a light to to the switch with those wires.