That's pretty much what my house did to me last night. Spent nearly 3 hours trying to install a f#$%ing switch for the can lights I am installing in my basement.
I just did my upstairs, and everything was kosher--but I didn't have to install a switch. I know it's something so simple, but I'm not a f#@$@%ing electrician. F@#$!
Results 1 to 25 of 27
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06-22-2006, 08:13 AM #1
Great White Ninja
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Go ahead. Take a shit on my face. I don't mind.
The Griz
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06-22-2006, 08:18 AM #2
The leading edge of cool
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Wire nut the whites together.
Put the black from the circuit breaker to bottom screw on the switch.
Put the black going to the lights on the top screw on the switch.
Wire nut the ground wires together.
Turn on lights.
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
Science-fiction author Robert Heinlein
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06-22-2006, 08:21 AM #3
Great White Ninja
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That smiley face was the salt in the wound. I did that--over and over and over. I tested for power from the breaker--which I've got. I threw out the switch and tried other ones--no dice. I connected power to the lights without the switch and it worked. For some reason, I just can't get the damn switch to work.
Originally Posted by InspectorGadget
Wire nut the whites together.
Put the black from the circuit breaker to bottom screw on the switch.
Put the black going to the lights on the top screw on the switch.
Wire nut the ground wires together.
Turn on lights.
The Griz
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06-22-2006, 08:21 AM #4
Princess of Powder
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Laughing at this is wrong, I know. But I just can't help myself.
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06-22-2006, 08:23 AM #5
Registered User
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ha! Originally Posted by grizzle6
anyway, this might help:
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06-22-2006, 08:25 AM #6
The leading edge of cool
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Sorry about the smiley, no mental anguish intended.
I'm no electrician either, but I've done quite a bit of the stuff. Where do you live? Are you going to be around this afternoon?A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
Science-fiction author Robert Heinlein
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06-22-2006, 08:26 AM #7
Dexterous as Fuck (tm)
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Did you, uh, put a bulb in?
edgDo you realize that you've just posted an admission of ignorance so breathtaking that it disqualifies you from commenting on any political or economic threads from here on out?
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06-22-2006, 08:41 AM #8
Registered User
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there are two types of switches
3 way switches work whern there are two switches and a bulb.
regular switches one to one relationship
check which switch you are using for your application.
otherwise pay an electrician
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06-22-2006, 08:52 AM #9
Irrie Rasta Dog Copilot
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Powstash mentioned his bro in law is an electrician.
Or Page electrical just fixed my problem fast & fair.
The joys of DYI homeowner projects.
Remember when the going gets tough the tough go fishing
"When the child was a child it waited patiently for the first snow and it still does"- Van "The Man" Morrison
"I find I have already had my reward, in the doing of the thing" - Buzz Holmstrom
"THIS IS WHAT WE DO"-AML -ski on in eternal peace
"I have posted in here but haven't read it carefully with my trusty PoliAsshat antenna on."-DipshitDanno
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06-22-2006, 08:52 AM #10
layabout
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A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. There are several ways to wire a light w/switch and that's just one of them. Originally Posted by InspectorGadget
Wire nut the whites together.
Put the black from the circuit breaker to bottom screw on the switch.
Put the black going to the lights on the top screw on the switch.
Wire nut the ground wires together.
Turn on lights.
If you have a problem & think that someone else is going to solve it for you then you have two problems.
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06-22-2006, 08:56 AM #11
speakerhead
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dont connect all 4 wires to the switch, you ground it out
connect black wire only (hot)
white wire bypasses switch (neutral) - if its already cut, just wire nut it back together
bare copper(s) to green grounding screw on switch box (ground)Ski like no one is watching!
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06-22-2006, 09:10 AM #12
Media Whore
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Call an electrician - if you're hearing pops and smelling smoke but don't know where it's from you might be heading towards a house fire. Spending $100 on a pro is well worth avoiding that.
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06-22-2006, 10:29 AM #13
Registered User
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Of all the things you can mess around with in your house, electrical is the one where not knowing what you're doing can lead to far worse stuff than just making a mess or having to redo it. Clearly, an electrician you're not. At this point, I would call in someone that actually knows what they're doing.
BTW, I'm guessing there's a pretty good chance that if you're having this many problems, you've introduced all sorts of code violations into whichever circuits you've been playing around with.
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06-22-2006, 10:42 AM #14
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If you are hearing pops somewhere in the line, but not at your light box or switch, I would guess you have a staple, or broken wire causing a short circuit along the switched branch. Determining live wires by touch is not the recommended method; but it does allow you to express your radness steeze, and is a great reflex test.
________________________________________________
If pigs had wings there'd be no bacon
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06-22-2006, 10:51 AM #15
Un Paid Spokesman
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LOL Originally Posted by Tippster
Electricians don't even answer the phone for $100.
$250 just to get them to show up.
Try another switch.
One out of ten, brand new, right out of the box switches and GFCI's don't even work.
Low volt track lights? Sure they're 110V?
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06-22-2006, 11:13 AM #16
Media Whore
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Well, not everywhere, I guess. I just had an Electrician come to my house last week: $75 for the call (which included the 1st hour of work) and a $20 part later I was out a grand total of $94.76 or something. I do not live in SLC, where one could assume that the hourly charge would be lower, but maybe not. Either way, even if it IS $200 it's better than a FIRE. Originally Posted by TeleHoar
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06-22-2006, 01:10 PM #17
snacking while boozing
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TECH TALK, POOPOO FACE BIATCH
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06-22-2006, 03:44 PM #18
Registered Stoner
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I am the last person to take advice from regarding electricity.
I was in college, messing with the dryer, it had a loose something or other. My dumb (stoned) ass decided all was fine and no need to shut off breaker.
Then Buzz went about 10 feet across the room, literally. Felt weird for a day or 2.
Worst shock of my life. No wonder I am like this now.
Yes, this post is useless. Thank you for your time."boobs just make the world better really" - Woodsy
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06-22-2006, 03:51 PM #19
rain
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I had one come out to install an outdoor GFCI outlet for only 80 bucks total! Originally Posted by TeleHoar
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06-22-2006, 04:30 PM #20
Hiding in AK
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For the love of Joseph Smith young Elder! Hire a damn electrician already, you're a father.
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06-22-2006, 05:28 PM #21
Great White Ninja
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Alright--I'm not a TOTAL retard regarding this electrical stuff. I rewired my kitchen, installed can lighting in my ceiling, installed automatic sprinklers, blah blah blah. It's just something so simple that it's incredibyly difficult--and I'm too over budget to hire an electrician for something this simple. If it were something a little more involved, I just might dooooooo that. Shit. Now I'm about to leave work, to go to work...on my house. If I get anywhere near as worked over tonight as last night--I will do something rash. And--for any SLC maggots, if you see a puff of smoke and hear the sirens--do me a favor and take a knee for the Griz. Godspeed.
The Griz
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06-22-2006, 05:35 PM #22
Hiding in AK
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Ahhhh yes, the pride of a home owner. Isn't it lovely.
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06-22-2006, 05:39 PM #23
The leading edge of cool
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[grumbling heard from the basement]One way or the other, I'm gonna do this my fuckin' self![/ghftb] Originally Posted by Trackhead
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
Science-fiction author Robert Heinlein
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06-22-2006, 05:54 PM #24
"The Harmonizer"
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Scotty, I need more power, I can't get those damn can lights to work...Quando paramucho mi amore de felice carathon.
Mundo paparazzi mi amore cicce verdi parasol.
Questo abrigado tantamucho que canite carousel.
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06-22-2006, 11:11 PM #25
Because Thats How I Roll
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If you have not figured it out yet open up the switch box and bypass the switch all together and see if it works.If it does you have a shorted switch which I doubt.Then go to the first device on the load side of the switch and unwire everything past that point and try it again.Process of elimination.I`m a electrical contractor.Its normal to get shocked.
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