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RJsfishin's avatar
RJsfishin
Explorer
Jan 18, 2016

Question for elec techs

I installed a 120v led light outside on the garage, and decided to switch the white wire, instead of the black (hot) wire. All worked fine, except for when it got dark, the light burned about 1/4 brightness (good guess) w/ the switch off. The bare grnd is running in the romex, and connected to the plastic box, but is in no way connected to the porcelain fixture, except under 1 mounting screw.
Why is it burning ? I should have taken a photo, but didn't think of it.
All I do know it that I change to switching the black instead of the white, and now no lite is visable when dark. I have never seen this before. But one clue, mite be that this is a very low wattage bulb.

Any ideas ?

22 Replies

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  • Dr_Quick's avatar
    Dr_Quick
    Explorer II
    Jan 18, 2016
    I believe that LED lights are polarity sensitive, as they are not a bulb, but a diode. They must be connected positive to positive.
  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad II
    Jan 18, 2016
    Building and electrical codes require the black wire to be "hot" and switched and the white wire to be neutral/ground. By wiring it that way, with the switch on the white wire, you leave it electrified at all times, even when switched off, a dangerous situation for the next guy who might have occasion to fix it. You also set up a possible short path via the ground (green or bare) wire.

    My guess is that you burned it out.

    If you put it on a GFCI protected circuit, as an exterior light is supposed to be, you certainly kicked the GFCI off.

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