I have 2 can lights that were installed as part of a basement remodel a couple of years ago. The remodel included new wiring throughout the house. The two lights (over a small kitchenette) recently stopped working. I have swapped out the bulbs, checked the switch and tested for juice (there is power to the cans). Everything seems to be working fine…but the lights won’t go on. I am stumped. Any suggestions from the electricians out there?
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This from a dumb carpenter
Bad neutral connection in the box, you have access via a drop ceiling-open the box on the side and check your connections.
On occasion the contact in cans doesn't make good contact. WIth the POWER OFF, pry up the contact a bit. Reinsert bulb. (this is usually evident when bulbs burn out prematurely. However, poor contact here will also result in no light.)
Could be what Calvin says, but the lights may also be wired with a "switch leg", in which case the problem could be somewhere in the leg, including the switch.
If you don't know what a switch leg is, your favorite search engine will glady provide a diagram. It's pretty simple.
There may be voltage to the cans, but apparently not power. What did you use to measure the voltage? Did you do it with both bulbs removed?
Just tested them with a volt meter. When I touch the neutral, I only get about 20v, but when I touch the side of the can I get 120v. That mean anything to y'all?
Sounds like an open neutral.
By "Open Neutral", he means
By "Open Neutral", he means that somewhere in that light circuit is a white wire connection that has come undone.