Help (w/ pics)

[jayhawk_fan]

Today I decided to change out the single round light bulb fixture for a new 8 ft. fluorescent one. However, I pretty much know squat about wiring which is why I need some help.

The old fixture had the two black wires connected together and the white wire was by itself. Where/which is the ground wire? If anybody could walk me through step 3 that would be fantastic.

 

[rickairmedic]

Jay the 2 black wires will go together to the black wire in the fixture the single white wire will go to the white wire in the fixture and I dont see a ground hiding up in there anywhere it would be a bare copper wire if it was there but its not a big deal on a light fixture anyways.

Rick

 

[rock_climber]

The bare wires in the box are the ground and go to the nut. You need to add a wire for this.

Black should be hot and go to the black.

White should be netural and goes to white.

James

 

[safetyfast]

Should be two bare copper wires for the ground tied together in that box. If it's an older house, it may not have had a ground wire. How old is the house? Are the outlets two prong or three?

 

[jayhawk_fan]

Thanks for the quick responses guys. I cannot find any other wires in the ceiling that might be the ground wire. Also, our house was built in 91. Is it a must that I add this or would it be safe to go w/o it?

 

[Junkman]

Since the house was built in 1991, then there should be a ground wire in the box, since the box is plastic, the wire should go to the fixture. Most likely, the electrician felt that being a ceiling fixture, there was no need for the ground wire, and cut it off flush. The reason for the two black wires, is that there is a pass through to another point that is also on the same switch. Many times, this is an outlet that would have a table lamp connected to it. It would be nice to have the ground wire, since it is required by code, however, since it isn't there and this is a ceiling fixture and there is little to no chance that it will be accidentally touched when illuminated, you can forgo the grounding wire. As was previously said, the black goes to black, and white goes to white. Make sure that the circuit breaker is off when working on this. Check the wires with a tester prior to handling any bare wires. The shock might not kill you, but it could cause you to fall off the ladder!

 

[trovato]

Sometimes fluorescent lights require the ground to work properly. I found a decent explanation here:

http://members.misty.com/don/f-lamp.html#wgf

Read "Why is a Grounded Fixture Needed for Reliable Starting?"

 

[swgray]

I enhanced the picture a little and I believe there are ground wires in the box.

With a lot of paint on them, but I think they are there.

I circled three in this picture. Make sure the power is off and unfold the wires, the grounds were probably the first wires shoved into the box.

 

[jayhawk_fan]

Well guys I'll admit it, I just didn't look hard enough. I ended up pulling out all of those wires that were jammed in there for more clarity and there it was (staring me right in the face). Again, thanks everybody for your help. I really appreciate it and as soon as I get the garage cleaned up I'll take some pictures for the gallery.