wiring a light

olps · #1 10-25-2008, 06:34 PM

Well, a few weeks ago there was a burst pipe in the apartment above us so water came down into our place. The light in the bathroom was removed because water was collecting in it. Now, my question is how to hook it back up. In the ceiling there are three 'capped off' (or is it called 'ponied'?) wires, a black, a white (looks like 2 together), and a red. On the light there are also 3 wires: a green, a black, and a white (that is attached/extended by another wire which is black). Once I turn off the power, which wires should I hook up together? Thanks alot!

fdeck · #2 10-25-2008, 07:02 PM

Can't the landlord take care of this? This is one of those cases where if you don't know how to proceed, then you really shouldn't do it.

ubado · #3 10-25-2008, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdeck

Can't the landlord take care of this? This is one of those cases where if you don't know how to proceed, then you really shouldn't do it.

Exactly ... with wiring, one can never go 100% by wire color. Plus, perhaps being in contact with water ... you never really know what trouble you'll find; until it's too late (you don't want to be responsible for an electrical fire

).

olps · #4 10-25-2008, 07:52 PM

Well I was thinking about that, but I figured it would be easier and quicker just to connect the wires together. The water came down over a month ago, I haven't put the light back up yet because some of the ceiling drywall had to be replaced (so it's all dried now, all the work is done).

tplyons · #5 10-25-2008, 07:55 PM

If you're asking, have the landlord do it. It should be his responsibility anyway.

Electrical shock is not something that's fun, and very dangerous.

T-Bird · #6 10-25-2008, 11:38 PM

Hi.

+1, If You need to ask how to do it, DON'T DO IT.

Your answer is an electrician, who has the proper training, equipment etc.

Regards
Sam

mrokern · #7 10-26-2008, 12:41 AM

+1 to the above. If you don't know how to test and verify which wire is the hot, which is the neutral, and which is the ground, you shouldn't be mucking with it.

-Mark

baalroo · #8 10-26-2008, 10:19 AM

Yeah, if you don't have a volt meter/don't know how to use one, then ask the landlord to do it. Since the white has a black connected to it, it's obvious that whoever has done the wiring was not following standard wiring procedure and thus the colors are worthless without a meter.

hbarcat · #9 10-26-2008, 03:56 PM

Many people have died instantly doing exactly what you're contemplating doing-- attempting to repair household electrical wiring without the proper knowledge and experience.

Listen to the unanimous advice from every poster on this thread: Leave this to a professional.

XtreO · #10 10-26-2008, 04:00 PM

Sage advice from you guys, telling him to do nothing. If I were you, I'd just trust luck with which wire should go on what end. It's a 50/50 after all, excellent odds.

mrokern · #11 10-26-2008, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtreO

If I were you, I'd just trust luck with which wire should go on what end. It's a 50/50 after all, excellent odds.

Dear heavens, I hope you are kidding.

Don't **** with electricity unless you know what you're doing. I definitely get to talk, I've survived a 208v 3-phase hit.

We're telling him to call his landlord. That's one of the perks of renting...maintenance is someone else's problem.

olps · #12 10-26-2008, 05:23 PM

ok, you've convinced me, it's not worth messing around with electrical myself. Thanks.