The most likely error is that the wire going to the light that stays on is contacting one of the live wires. To check, disconnect all the wires from each other, turn on the breaker and use a voltage tester to identify the live circuit wire.
Why is my light on when the switch is off?
The one issue to check is that the bulbs are not CFL’s (fluorescent) or that the bulb is set tight in the base. If not, either might cause intermittent problems. Change the CFL bulb if there is one. Changing a 2 way switch is a simple matter of putting the wires on the terminals (after the power is shut-off).
How do you fix a light switch that won’t turn on?
A switch circuit that doesn’t operate correctly may simply have a tripped breaker or blown fuse. Head to the electrical service panel and locate the breaker or fuse. If the breaker is tripped, reset it; or if the fuse is blown, replace it with an exact duplicate.
How do you turn off a light fixture?
Quote from Youtube video: For this job you will need some wire nuts and electrical tape so here's a standard electrical box this sits in between two studs.
Do you have to disconnect power to change a light fixture?
Before you start, you’ll need to turn the electricity off in the area you’re working. It’s not enough to shut the power switch off on the wall. Go to your circuit panel and flip the circuit breaker for the room or area you’ll be working.
What happens if you wire a light switch wrong?
But here’s the catch: If you connect the circuit wires to the wrong terminals on an outlet, the outlet will still work, but the polarity will be backward. When this happens, a lamp, for example, will have its bulb socket sleeve energized rather than the little tab inside the socket.
Can a bad light switch cause a fire?
Question: How does a light switch cause fire? Answer: The terminals can very slowly loosen, causing resistance at the point of connection. This causes heat, which can start a fire. Connections internal to the switch can also degrade over time, doing the same thing.
Can you get electrocuted changing a light switch?
There are usually two main types of shock from light switches, static or electric. The static shock is due to electricity build up on the skin. Electric shock is due to electrical leakage from the switch. Static shocks are harmless while electric shocks can be fatal.
Can I change a light fixture myself?
You’ll need some basic electrical skills to replace a light fixture. Once you know how to replace a light fixture, you’ll be able to tackle a variety of other relatively easy projects, like replacing an outlet or light switch. As with any electrical project, caution is the rule of the day.
How do you check if a light is wired correctly?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And the other probe is a little bit larger. And your plug the smaller probe if your plug is wired properly is the hot side of your plug.
How do you know if a light switch is wired wrong?
If either wire at the light fixture is still hot then the switch is wired incorrectly. If one of the wires is still hot at the light fixture with the switch in the off position, then you most likely have the light switch on the neutral wire.
What happens if you wire live and neutral wrong?
Simple answer: it creates a shock hazard/unsafe condition. If you do it, and know you did it, and don’t fix it, and someone gets hurt, it may also create a liability situation for you.
What happens if you mix up the hot and neutral wires?
This happens when the hot and neutral wires get flipped around at an outlet, or upstream from an outlet. Reversed polarity creates a potential shock hazard, but it’s usually an easy repair.
How can you tell if a wire is live or neutral?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And touch this wire. And I get a little bit not much then we'll touch the other wire. There we go 115 volts and that's how you tell your hot wire it's just that easy.
Does it matter if hot and neutral are reversed?
One common issue with electrical outlets is reverse polarity, also known as “hot-neutral reversed.” In this condition, the outlet has been wired incorrectly, altering the flow of electricity. While the outlet will still be able to provide power to your electrical items, it is also present a greater shock hazard.
Will a light fixture work if wired backwards?
Tip. The fixture still works if you reverse the wires, but the socket sleeve will be hot, and anyone who touches it while changing a bulb can get a shock. When wired correctly, the socket sleeve is neutral and only the small metal tab at the base of the socket is hot.
How do you tell which wire is neutral if both are black?
Here’s a rundown of electrical wires: The black wire is the “hot” wire, it carries the electricity from the breaker panel into the switch or light source. The white wire is the “neutral” wire, it takes any unused electricity and current and sends it back to the breaker panel.
