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Electrical in Old House for Low Voltage Fixture 6zbeast 11-19-2006
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Posted by Joseph Meehan on November 20, 2006, 7:19 am


6zbeast wrote:
> I was hoping somebody could help. I have installed a low voltage
> fixture in my hallway and I can't seem to get it to work. The house
> is old, and the wiring is always a surprise. Many light fixtures,
> including this one, have voltage in the box even when the switch is
> turned off (learned this the hard way with the first light I replaced
> in the house). Seems like the power runs through the fixture down to
> the swich, instead of the reverse. I don' t know if this would make
> a low voltage light not work. Maybe the transformer is just
> defective. When I turn it on, I can barely hear the transformer
> making a slight buzz sound, but the lights don't light up. I also
> thought it might be the track, but I've inspected it and it seems
> okay. I've even tried reverse wiring it, still no luck.
>
> Any ideas?

That wiring is not unusual. It is proper to do it either way.

Someone needs to measure the voltage at the transformer (voltage in and
voltage out). Remember that using a digital meter can result in measuring
AC voltages that are really not there. For this kind of work a older analog
meter is better. The voltage has to be measured at each connection until you
find one that is dead.

I would have to guess that if the transformer is buzzing, even a little,
it is getting voltage. Have you checked the bulb(s)?

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia 's Muire duit




Posted by 6zbeast via HomeKB.com on November 20, 2006, 9:45 am


I checked each of the bulbs, and they are okay. Since there are 5, and it is
new, I would expect at least one of them to work. I have an analoge voltage
meter. I'm just not sure what setting to put it on to check the track.

Joseph Meehan wrote:
>> I was hoping somebody could help. I have installed a low voltage
>> fixture in my hallway and I can't seem to get it to work. The house
>[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>>
>> Any ideas?
>
> That wiring is not unusual. It is proper to do it either way.
>
> Someone needs to measure the voltage at the transformer (voltage in and
>voltage out). Remember that using a digital meter can result in measuring
>AC voltages that are really not there. For this kind of work a older analog
>meter is better. The voltage has to be measured at each connection until you
>find one that is dead.
>
> I would have to guess that if the transformer is buzzing, even a little,
>it is getting voltage. Have you checked the bulb(s)?
>

--
Message posted via http://www.homekb.com


Posted by Joseph Meehan on November 20, 2006, 10:53 am


6zbeast via HomeKB.com wrote:
> I checked each of the bulbs, and they are okay. Since there are 5,
> and it is new, I would expect at least one of them to work. I have
> an analoge voltage meter. I'm just not sure what setting to put it on
> to check the track.

Go ahead and look for 120V it is likely to be something like 12V but
start large and then move down.

>
> Joseph Meehan wrote:
>>> I was hoping somebody could help. I have installed a low voltage
>>> fixture in my hallway and I can't seem to get it to work. The house
>> [quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>>>
>>> Any ideas?
>>
>> That wiring is not unusual. It is proper to do it either way.
>>
>> Someone needs to measure the voltage at the transformer (voltage
>> in and voltage out). Remember that using a digital meter can result
>> in measuring AC voltages that are really not there. For this kind
>> of work a older analog meter is better. The voltage has to be
>> measured at each connection until you find one that is dead.
>>
>> I would have to guess that if the transformer is buzzing, even a
>> little, it is getting voltage. Have you checked the bulb(s)?

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia 's Muire duit




Posted by 6zbeast via HomeKB.com on November 20, 2006, 10:58 am


Will do. Thanks SOOOO much for your help!


Joseph Meehan wrote:
>> I checked each of the bulbs, and they are okay. Since there are 5,
>> and it is new, I would expect at least one of them to work. I have
>> an analoge voltage meter. I'm just not sure what setting to put it on
>> to check the track.
>
> Go ahead and look for 120V it is likely to be something like 12V but
>start large and then move down.
>
>>>> I was hoping somebody could help. I have installed a low voltage
>>>> fixture in my hallway and I can't seem to get it to work. The house
>[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>>> I would have to guess that if the transformer is buzzing, even a
>>> little, it is getting voltage. Have you checked the bulb(s)?
>

--
Message posted via HomeKB.com
http://www.homekb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/repair/200611/1


Posted by Mark Lloyd on November 20, 2006, 1:33 pm


On Mon, 20 Nov 2006 14:45:15 GMT, "6zbeast via HomeKB.com"

>I checked each of the bulbs, and they are okay. Since there are 5, and it is
>new, I would expect at least one of them to work. I have an analoge voltage
>meter. I'm just not sure what setting to put it on to check the track.
>

Try the 300VAC range. If it shows a low reading, reduce the range
until the pointer reads over 1/3 scale.

>Joseph Meehan wrote:
>>> I was hoping somebody could help. I have installed a low voltage
>>> fixture in my hallway and I can't seem to get it to work. The house
>>[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>>>
>>> Any ideas?
>>
>> That wiring is not unusual. It is proper to do it either way.
>>
>> Someone needs to measure the voltage at the transformer (voltage in and
>>voltage out). Remember that using a digital meter can result in measuring
>>AC voltages that are really not there. For this kind of work a older analog
>>meter is better. The voltage has to be measured at each connection until you
>>find one that is dead.
>>
>> I would have to guess that if the transformer is buzzing, even a little,
>>it is getting voltage. Have you checked the bulb(s)?
>>
--
35 days until the winter solstice celebration

Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"I have found Christian dogma unintelligable. Early
in life I absented myself from Christian assemblies."
-- Benjamin Franklin

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