Help the Stupid!!!

[Rickster55]

I turned the light switch on this morning and the light blew (later to be determined that the breaker tripped). They are fluorescent so I know that is not typical. After investigating I determined that it was either the switch or the outlet that the light was plugged into. Wrong! I replaced both anyways. I again flipped the switch and the breaker popped again. Stupidly I disconnected all the wires from the junction box and rewired them - blacks with blacks and white with whites. Wrong due to the switch wiring (2 wire at the end of the line). So what is the right way to rewire my mess? Thanks in advance!

 

[ambenz]

View media item 111607

 

[sparky 1971]

Blacks from the power in and to the receptacle will get wire nutted to the white going to the switch. (officially, you should mark the white wire with black tape, a marker, etc.). Shove those wires to the back of the box, you are finished with them. The two remaining white wires, power in and receptacle go together along with the neutral for the light. That should leave you with a lone black wire that is coming from the switch, that goes to the light.

 

[Rickster55]

Thanks! I'm on it in the morning!

 

[BillK]

Rick,
Before you continue please verify something. In your original question it sounds like the lamp was plugged into the outlet ? If that is correct and the switch turns the outlet on and off then ambenz's diagram is not correct.

 

[BillK]

Rickster,
Just making sure you didnt zap yourself trying to fix this Any luck ???

 

[Rickster55]

Yes! Sorry. I kept saying I need to update but when ever I went online, I forgot. But yes, I am back in business. Just like I knew what I was doing - which I don't! Thanks again!

 

[jensenjl]

This is great. I was looking for just this sort of diagram. Thanks!