Pocket door light switch wiring question?

Question

Remodel in basement - walk-in closet - pocket door - switch will turn light on when door is opened, off when closed. So I turned the power off, put up the closet light fixture, then got zapped when I tried to put in the switch. When I touch the wires from the switch (both black) to the white wire (12/2) it buzzes. I'm just a girl trying to save a buck or 100. Electricians are spendy because they're so smart - can anyone help? Thanks

The switch I'm installing only has two wires - both are black.

Answer 1

Becarefull, your dealing with a switch leg.

Whites can be a pos. (electicans try to save wire by using a white as a pos.)

A switch breaks only HOT wires no negs are needed, but both can be in the same outlet swicth box.

Wished I was there to help, your on your own.

Answer 2

if you have only 2 wires in the box where the switch is going it does not matter which wire goes where but if you have more then 2 wires in the box you want to use the 2 black wires and not the white, it is a neutral and the whites should be spliced together

Answer 3

Your line is being back fed from some other circuit. Do not connect black to white. Connect the whites together then 1 black wire to 1 screw on the switch and the other black to the other screw. Good luck :-)
It doesn't matter what black wire from your box goes to what wire on the switch

Answer 4

The switch should in essence cut the hot black wire. Run the hot black to the switch then from the switch to the light. The white should also go to the light.