I'm in a newly built home and tried wiring a chandalier last night. The box had two white wires that were tied together at the end, a wire in white casing painted yellow and another wire in white casing painted purple. I used the two white wires as ground, connected the yellow to the hot wire on the chandalier and the purple wire to the other. It didn't work (no light), but I got shocked when I stuck my finger where the light bulb goes (dumb, I know)...so I know it's getting power. The bulbs are correct. What am I doing wrong? I've never heard of 2 ground wires, purple or yellow colors for wiring. Any help is GREATLY appreciated!
2006-10-16 01:18:13 · 4 answers · asked by shrke42 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
...and by the way, I have the master breaker for the house turned off while I'm working on it.
2006-10-16 01:27:02 · update #1
Eek. Either get in an electrician or return to store. You sound like a liability! (Sorry, just saying it like I see it)
2006-10-16 01:22:11 · answer #1 · answered by stienbabe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't even spell CHANDELIER and you want to install one? Shutting off the main breaker tells me you should not be touching anything electrical because you don't understand anything about circuits and/or code. Shutting the switch on the wall would have killed the power to the fixture. No need for anything else. The white wire from the fixture goes to the other white wires in the box (use a wire nut) This is the neutral connection. The black wire from the fixture goes to the black wire in the ceiling box. Or if there is a single red wire that is the switched hot. Use another wire nut. Secure fixture to box.
Do yourself and your insurance company a favor. Call a handyman to hang the fixture. You go, work some overtime to pay someone who won't burn your house down.
2006-10-18 16:30:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The white wires are the common. White to white.
The yellow and Purple are probably separate switch legs for a light / ceiling fan combo.
Connect the fixture black wire to one of these.
If in doubt call an electrician. Call a reputable contractor, don't use a fly by night person, your house is riding on it.
Just remember, when the fire dept. can't find the cause of the fire they blame it on electrical. The insurance company will then ask who did the wiring, and that person / company is liable.
2006-10-19 16:47:24 · answer #3 · answered by homer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wires are crossed
2006-10-16 04:20:59 · answer #4 · answered by szfr8l 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋