Recessed Lights Problem

Boycer88

hello everyone i just installed 8 new ic cans. 6 on one dimmer and 2 on another. added a new 15 amp circut and ran 12-2 wire to a junction box in basement and then to the switches and then to the cans. when i restore power the lights will not come on. im pretty sure my wiring is correct, i have the 2 white wires nutted together and then 1 black wire to each black wire in switch and grounds to ground. when power is on i tested all the wires and power is there but the lights will not come on anyone have an idea whats wrong with that picture thanks!

480sparky

Are your dimmers turned all the way down?

__________________
Site : the area or exact plot of ground on which anything is, has been, or is to be located.
Sight : The power or faculty of seeing; perception of objects by use of the eyes; vision.
Cite : To mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.

mdshunk

Your wiring sounds correct, so you either explained what you did wrong, you didn't actually do what you thought you did, or there's another problem. Did you wire the dimmers hot, perhaps? That can blow up a dimmer in a heartbeat.

I'm concerned that what you have done might be illegal, considering your geographic location and your listed trade.

Boycer88

i turned the on and off and the dimmer up and down with power on and nothing.

Boycer88

i wired the dimmer hot the last time and went back and looked at what i did wrong and corrected it with a new dimmer same problem though.

Boycer88

further explanation of switch wiring as i think the problem is somewhere there since power is going to the wires in between cans:

2- 12-2 wires coming into the box

splices the 3 grounds together, splices the 2 whites together and one black to one black on dimmer and other black to remaining red on dimmer. 1 wire from switch leftover for 3 way wiring that is not needed. thanks again guys

precisionbuild

Why are you using 3-ways for this. That's your problem. Take em out and put single poles in.

Boycer88

it says single pole or 3 way wiring on the box

mdshunk

Actually, no. Some of the dimmer companies are shipping them for use either way.

480sparky

So your switches have 3 leads? (Excluding ground)

__________________
Site : the area or exact plot of ground on which anything is, has been, or is to be located.
Sight : The power or faculty of seeing; perception of objects by use of the eyes; vision.
Cite : To mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.

Bubbles

It looks like you might be sucessfully switching the traveler back and forth? lol
You got a meter?

Boycer88

yes a black and 2 reds. one red is for 3 way wiring

480sparky

The black should go to you power that feeds the switch. One red should go to the black wire that goes to the lights.

__________________
Site : the area or exact plot of ground on which anything is, has been, or is to be located.
Sight : The power or faculty of seeing; perception of objects by use of the eyes; vision.
Cite : To mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.

Bubbles

just touch the black to black and bypass switch and see if they flick on for a test.

Boycer88

do you mean wire nut the 2 black wires together and then turn power back on. i did that and they didnt work either

480sparky

Not the black leads on the switch.. the blacks that feed the switch. In other words, bypass the switch and see if the lights come on.

__________________
Site : the area or exact plot of ground on which anything is, has been, or is to be located.
Sight : The power or faculty of seeing; perception of objects by use of the eyes; vision.
Cite : To mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.

Boycer88

yes i took off the switch and just nutted the 2 blacks together and lights did not work either.

480sparky

How are you 'checking' for power?

__________________
Site : the area or exact plot of ground on which anything is, has been, or is to be located.
Sight : The power or faculty of seeing; perception of objects by use of the eyes; vision.
Cite : To mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.

Boycer88

voltage detector

Bubbles

just flick it. Praise the lord and hope there is no explosion. Just kidding...sort of