Ghost voltage/current?

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  #16  
Old 09-02-2023, 05:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Altavia View Post
Great job - well done!

Thanks for help steering me in right direction!
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Old 09-03-2023, 06:35 AM
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Glad you got it fixed.
In house wiring black is hot. In cars, black is ground.
Best to not confuse the two.
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Old 09-03-2023, 07:42 AM
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You can put LED bulbs in the existing fixture and they work just fine…
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Old 09-03-2023, 09:41 AM
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You can put LED bulbs in the existing fixture and they work just fine…
Yes I like the big old frames and get kit that retrofit LEDs . But before I realized what I had I replaced them with small frame LEDs shop lights which start flicking or burnt out patches. I only have one left.

I comb trash day hoping I can find old large frame fluorescent housing with good light cover to replace the small frame LED housing with the annoying light cover.
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Old 09-03-2023, 09:46 AM
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The "guys" you referred to (from China).obviously contain a spy virus that stays illuminated to catch you coming in after midnight....haha
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Old 09-03-2023, 09:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Maker View Post
Glad you got it fixed.
In house wiring black is hot. In cars, black is ground.
Best to not confuse the two.

Yep, I didn’t wire the switch the builder did. That’s about the 3 improper wiring I’ve found in my house. I checked all the plug in sockets when I moved in and found two wired backwards.

Only way to check switches take covers off and look see in wired correctly, there no circuit tester that will show that that I am aware of?
  #22  
Old 09-03-2023, 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by DrHitch View Post
The "guys" you referred to (from China).obviously contain a spy virus that stays illuminated to catch you coming in after midnight....haha

You mean like my I-phone and when I go on tick-tock?
  #23  
Old 09-03-2023, 09:53 AM
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Originally Posted by villagetinker View Post
OP, give me a call, send a PM so we can get together.

If I read your post correctly, it sounds like you have 2 LED lights. I am GUESSING that there is a wiring issue. I have seen situations where the switch opened the NEUTRAL wire and NOT the HOT wire. If there are surge suppression capacitors in the lights, these can provide a leakage path with enough voltage to cause the lights to come on dimly.

In any case, I would go over all of the wiring from the circuit breaker to the lights. Also of there are any switched outlets on this circuit, unplug any devices that are plugged in and see if this changes the lights. Also, using a quality voltmeter, check the voltages to GROUND with the switch turned OFF on all of the devices connected on this circuit.
You nailed it!

switch wires, the NEUTRAL wire together and the HOT wire to switch.

Last edited by Topspinmo; 09-13-2023 at 03:26 PM.
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Old 09-04-2023, 09:39 AM
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Welcome to the Villages
  #25  
Old 09-05-2023, 04:16 AM
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I couldn't believe how much more light I had when I replaced my fluorescent bulbs with LEDs. It was like my whole garage lit up. I couldn't climb up on a ladder, so I talked my wife through the installation. She had to remove the ballast and change the wires that connected to the old fixture. It was quick and easy. It's been a few years, but I remember there were several different installation types. The ones I bought were called duel-end powered.
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Old 09-05-2023, 05:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Topspinmo View Post
Yep, I didn’t wire the switch the builder did. That’s about the 3 improper wiring I’ve found in my house. I checked all the plug in sockets when I moved in and found two wired backwards.

Only way to check switches take covers off and look see in wired correctly, there no circuit tester that will show that that I am aware of?
Search amazon for "outlet tester". Simple plug in device. There are a lot of them. Name brands - Klein, Fluke, Sperry.
Most basic ones only show if wiring is correct; I would avoid that.
Next better has a button to test if GFCI trips properly; that's a good choice.
Some show the line voltage; cute but not necessary if you have a voltmeter.
Electrician quality ones ($$$) can pulse the wiring to check for poor current carrying (bad connections) which can lead to fires when drawing 15 amps.
  #27  
Old 09-05-2023, 03:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Salty Dog View Post
I couldn't believe how much more light I had when I replaced my fluorescent bulbs with LEDs. It was like my whole garage lit up. I couldn't climb up on a ladder, so I talked my wife through the installation. She had to remove the ballast and change the wires that connected to the old fixture. It was quick and easy. It's been a few years, but I remember there were several different installation types. The ones I bought were called duel-end powered.
Another bonus they use way less electricity. Win! Win! Just like shopping at Winn Dixie….
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