Ceiling Light Wiring Question

Lawnny · Sep 12, 2020

I'm replacing an overhead light in a kitchen. There are two bundles coming out of the ceiling. Both have a black, a white, and a ground wire. The light fixture has a black, a white, and a ground wire. What should we do with the two sets coming out of the ceiling?

[ElectriciansForums.net] Ceiling Light Wiring Question

James · Sep 12, 2020

Did you take any pictures before disconnecting the wires from old fitting?

Lawnny · Sep 12, 2020

James said:
Did you take any pictures before disconnecting the wires from old fitting?

No, unfortunately =( My husband did it and he said he doesn't remember anything. He did take off 4 wire connectors. So I'm wondering if maybe one of the bundles was just put together in a wire connector?

westward10 · Sep 12, 2020

Four wire connectors indicates one is a switch cable but impossible to say from a distance.

harryspadge · Sep 13, 2020

That looks to me like a switch feed in then a switch feed out to another light fitting.
Is there a second light fitting in the same room, or a second one switched by the same switch?

Megawatt · Sep 13, 2020

Lawnny said:
I'm replacing an overhead light in a kitchen. There are two bundles coming out of the ceiling. Both have a black, a white, and a ground wire. The light fixture has a black, a white, and a ground wire. What should we do with the two sets coming out of the ceiling?View attachment 60764

Lawnny what you have is 1 cable is your power and the other cable is going to the switch. I really can’t tell you which cable is the power and which cable is going to the switch. I’m not going to advise you other than call an electrician and he should be able to fix that in 5 minutes since he would have the proper test instruments to find the power cable and then they will know which is the switch leg. Good luck

Spaldingsparks · Sep 13, 2020

Lawnny said:
I'm replacing an overhead light in a kitchen. There are two bundles coming out of the ceiling. Both have a black, a white, and a ground wire. The light fixture has a black, a white, and a ground wire. What should we do with the two sets coming out of the ceiling?View attachment 60764

This is the time to call an electrician! DIY is not the right way for you to attempt this job.
Electricity is classed as dangerous for a reason it can cause fires and electrocution. respect is needed. A photo before and you may have succeeded, may have.