Quote:
Originally posted by 450knotOffice
... so here's the switch setup for the two lights over my sink: Over on the wall I have one light switch. This light switch controls the power to two other light switches, each of which controls one light. In other words, if that single switch is off, the other two have no power. If it's on, they both have power.
Back to the wall. Only one black wire has power. It's the one that is the result of the two black wires being tied together. The other black wire in the other bundle shows no power. Interestingly, not only do both white wires seem to be ground wires but when I hook my multi-meter between the two black wires (the one with power, and the one that seems to be dead), I get a completed circuit, i.e., I show 110 volts.
|
Call an electrician. It sounds like someone had (or tried to have) a three-way circuit to control the lights. It sounds screwed-up enough that it's not something that should be diagnosed on an internet forum.
Also, are you dealing with wiring old enough that you don't have an independent ground? (Is there a bare copper wire in your switch and outlet boxes?) If you have old wiring, then your kitchen renovation should include updating your wiring. Cut back on some of the cosmetic stuff and do the critical "mechanicals" first.
Too many times I see people with outdated and dangerous electrical wiring spending thousands of dollars on fancy flooring, countertops, cabinets and trimwork and ignoring the critical mechanicals.
To put it in car terms: Would you get a new paint job and ignore or "patch up" a faulty braking system?
Joe