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Started By
Message
Help with can lights/switch, not sure which
Posted on 4/19/21 at 7:50 am
Posted on 4/19/21 at 7:50 am
I have a switch for our two front porch can lights, similar to the one posted below. Couple nights ago I noticed both lights were off. First thing I did was see if the programming on the switch was reset so tried manually turning them on, no luck. Next I obviously assumed that both bulbs had gone out, nope. I pulled the cans out to check for loose wiring but they seem to be good. My next guess is maybe the switch is hosed due to the power blinking off and on during the last few thunderstorms. But the switch is receiving power and other than the lights not working it seems to be functioning normally. What's the best way to test different components to narrow down the problem? Get a new standard switch and wire it up and see if the lights work? Something else? TIA

Posted on 4/19/21 at 8:08 am to VanRIch
Did you check for power at the cans with a meter with the switch on? Some can lights are rated for a certain wattage and if they get too hot will shut down. However I wouldn’t think they would both go off at exactly the same time and they should come back on after a while.
Posted on 4/19/21 at 8:10 am to skidry
I did not. I got my multimeter out a week ago for something else and somehow one of the wires got pulled out. So I need to run by HF and pick up another.
Posted on 4/19/21 at 8:28 am to VanRIch
You could pull the switch and short the hot to neutral. If they come on them you’re switch is bad.
Posted on 4/19/21 at 8:43 am to skidry
Are you saying touch the white and black wires to themselves coming out of the wall? Will I not electrocute myself?
Sorry, electricity makes me nervous.

Posted on 4/19/21 at 9:00 am to VanRIch

You could. If you know which breaker you could turn it off. If not, a good set of tools will keep you from getting shocked. Not worth it if you’re not comfortable.
ETA yes touch the black and white together.
This post was edited on 4/19/21 at 9:03 am
Posted on 4/19/21 at 9:36 am to skidry
Ok, just pulled the switch and here’s what it looks like. Hot, Load, Neutral and Ground? So try connecting the hot and the neutral from the wall?
ETA: Well I tried this and turned the breaker back on and it just kept tripping. But I didn't do anything with the black that is daisy chained to the load wire? So what now? haha
ETA: Well I tried this and turned the breaker back on and it just kept tripping. But I didn't do anything with the black that is daisy chained to the load wire? So what now? haha

This post was edited on 4/19/21 at 9:44 am
Posted on 4/19/21 at 9:52 am to VanRIch
I’m an idiot. You have to short the load and hot wires. If you short hot to nuetral you will in fact trip the breaker.
This post was edited on 4/19/21 at 9:54 am
Posted on 4/19/21 at 9:56 am to VanRIch
Did you try resetting the switch? Find the instructions and there is probably a button to hold to reset it.
Posted on 4/19/21 at 9:59 am to VanRIch
So I was able to wire it up based on a diagram I found on the internet but the lights still didn't come on. I guess maybe the first can in the run is bad?
Posted on 4/19/21 at 10:10 am to VanRIch
I wouldn’t expect them to be in series so that one causes the other to fail.
Posted on 4/19/21 at 10:11 am to VanRIch
Another update, I found the switch that I took out when I put this programmable one in and I was to get in touch with my nephew who used to work for an electrician and he told me the right way to wire it up. Lights came on so I have a bad switch evidently. Thanks for the help H&G!
Posted on 4/19/21 at 10:12 am to kengel2
quote:
Did you try resetting the switch? Find the instructions and there is probably a button to hold to reset it.
Yes, I tried this before doing anything.
Posted on 4/19/21 at 11:25 am to skidry
All that's gonna do is make sure the breaker works! Don't do that!
Posted on 4/19/21 at 12:22 pm to VanRIch
If you checked breaker already, check to see if you have a GFI on the same circuit and reset it.
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