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Mon 22 Feb, 2016 09:58 pm
Hi,
My bedroom closet light is no longer working. After some troubleshooting, the light switch only has one romex coming into it (I believe this is a switched loop config). Black on one side and white on the other side of the light switch. A non-contact voltage tester shows both wires are HOT, yet circuit breaker is not tripped! Also, there are two 60watt bulbs in the light fixture, both wires to each bulb socket are hot.
Please help.
I can only think of two possible problems: 1) maybe neutral wire at panel is floating? 2) There is a short between hot power line, switch and light but open at neutral power line.
Am I off on these ideas? Again, please advise. Thanks.
@acwebmail,
Is your closet light an incandescent bulb or fluorescent? Was it working before?
@engineer,
fixture uses two 60 watt incandescent bulbs and light was working before. Also, removed one of the bulbs and each pair of wires running to each bulb are all hot.
@acwebmail,
You've replaced the bulbs?
@engineer,
Yes, and flipped all breakers. And reset all GFI outlets too.
@acwebmail,
Do you have a voltmeter with leads on it? If so, set it to Volts AC and test across the leads in the light socket. You should get 120VAC (assuming you are in the US).
@engineer,
Also read this
link about how non-contact voltage testers work. It explains why you keep getting hot signals.
@engineer,
I know the wires are hot since as I was taking out the screws of the switch cover, I got shocked.
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