Electrical

[FingerEnglish]

My dining room lights came on by themselves. Cannot turn them off. Bought new dimmer switch and installed. Did not work.

[FingerEnglish]

Sorry, new at this....Live in a 2 bedroom Villa....The breaker did not trip...Replaced all of the bulbs..Thank You...Any advice appreciated....

[ronda]

Sorry, new at this....Live in a 2 bedroom Villa....The breaker did not trip...Replaced all of the bulbs..Thank You...Any advice appreciated....

Coud the lights be controlled by 2 switches on different walls? (3 way switch)?
If so, you need to replace with the correct switch and wire correctly.
Also applies if you replaced a single pole switch.


My guess is the switch is not wired properly.

[retiredguy123]

Coud the lights be controlled by 2 switches on different walls? (3 way switch)?
If so, you need to replace with the correct switch and wire correctly.
Also applies if you replaced a single pole switch.


My guess is the switch is not wired properly.
I agree. Most dining room ceiling lights are controlled by two switches, one near the front door, and the other near the sliding patio door.

[Bill14564]

My dining room lights came on by themselves. Cannot turn them off. Bought new dimmer switch and installed. Did not work.

Sorry, new at this....Live in a 2 bedroom Villa....The breaker did not trip...Replaced all of the bulbs..Thank You...Any advice appreciated....

Lights coming on but not turning off could be a bad switch but you changed that.

The problem could then be due to wiring the switch improperly but I assume you made sure to do it correctly.

Why replace all the bulbs? Did something else happen to make you think that was necessary?

Why mention that the breaker did not trip? If the lights were off then the breaker may be an issue but if the lights are on then it obviously did not trip.

Or maybe I am misunderstanding the problem. Is it more like:
- The lights came on and the switch would not turn them off
- You replaced the switch but now they would not turn on
- The breaker has not tripped
- You replaced all the bulbs
- But still the lights will not come on

Assuming that is the case and the lights are now OFF:

Hopefully, you turned off the breaker before replacing the switch so you know which breaker it is and you know for sure that it is not tripped.

Are you sure you replaced the dimmer with the correct type (single-pole or three-way)? You probably did or otherwise you would have an extra wire with no place to connect it or an extra connection with no wire to connect to it.

It is always possible that the replacement switch is bad. You could try swapping the old switch back in or take the new switch out and use a multimeter to verify it is working correctly.

[FingerEnglish]

Coud the lights be controlled by 2 switches on different walls? (3 way switch)?
If so, you need to replace with the correct switch and wire correctly.
Also applies if you replaced a single pole switch.


My guess is the switch is not wired properly.

Thank You Very Much!!!!!!

[MandoMan]

Lights coming on but not turning off could be a bad switch but you changed that.

The problem could then be due to wiring the switch improperly but I assume you made sure to do it correctly.

Why replace all the bulbs? Did something else happen to make you think that was necessary?

Why mention that the breaker did not trip? If the lights were off then the breaker may be an issue but if the lights are on then it obviously did not trip.

Or maybe I am misunderstanding the problem. Is it more like:
- The lights came on and the switch would not turn them off
- You replaced the switch but now they would not turn on
- The breaker has not tripped
- You replaced all the bulbs
- But still the lights will not come on

Assuming that is the case and the lights are now OFF:

Hopefully, you turned off the breaker before replacing the switch so you know which breaker it is and you know for sure that it is not tripped.

Are you sure you replaced the dimmer with the correct type (single-pole or three-way)? You probably did or otherwise you would have an extra wire with no place to connect it or an extra connection with no wire to connect to it.

It is always possible that the replacement switch is bad. You could try swapping the old switch back in or take the new switch out and use a multimeter to verify it is working correctly.

Also, if you install a dimmer switch or switches, the box needs to say appropriate for LED dimming, and if you replace other bulbs with LED bulbs, the LED bulbs have to say DIMMABLE. If they don’t they won’t work right and may not turn on and off properly or may last only a few minutes or hours.

[FredMitchell]

For a few bitcoin, I will disable my ransomware :boom:

[Will.S]

My dining room lights came on by themselves. Cannot turn them off. Bought new dimmer switch and installed. Did not work.
I’ve seen this many times. Sometimes a light circuit was inadvertently wired to a GFI circuit. Sounds stupid, but I personally found this in 2 of my homes. Check all your GFI outlets, kitchen, bathrooms, laundry rooms, garage and outside including on the lanai. Don’t try to rationalize the error or the builder.. it happens. No big deal once you find it.. my last home 3 season porch outlets and family room light were wired to my outside front door GFI outlet. So everyone I used the hose to wash out mud dabblers, it get that outlet wet and I would not know it tripped until something in the house didn’t work…. Check them all out. Hope this helps someone and saves you money. Will

[SFSkol]

Solutions above are all valid. If nothing works call Ghostbusters!

[Stu from NYC]

Solutions above are all valid. If nothing works call Ghostbusters!

We know people who for a fee will haunt houses and for a fee will leave.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I installed a dimmer switch
There was a third wire tucked in the back that was not used on the two-way I replaced.
I learned thru YT.

[CybrSage]

I’ve seen this many times. Sometimes a light circuit was inadvertently wired to a GFI circuit.

Wow, that violates code...lights and outlets need separate circuits. Heck, they have different wiring requirements as well!

[RUCdaze]

Ghosts.

[Altavia]

Wow, that violates code...lights and outlets need separate circuits. Heck, they have different wiring requirements as well!

The National Electrical Code (NEC) does not mandate the separation of lighting and power circuits. The Villages, combines these circuits.

Nevertheless, this may be required in other areas as it is generally considered best practice to separate these circuits, particularly in areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. Separating circuits enhances safety and convenience.

[GregR]

I'd recommend calling an electrician. There are a dozen reasons why a light might not turn ON, but not being able to turn a light OFF, especially one that was previously working fine could be a significant safety hazard like a short circuit or major, dangerous mis-wiring like like having a hot neutral. If you don't know what the problem is, don't risk burning your house down by relying on a public message board instead of a professional.