My customer has a dozen celing cans (recessed lights) in his family room ceiling. There are 2 separate switches – one for the outer cans and one for the inner cans. 3 of the outer cans stopped working, all at the same time and it’s not just the bulb. I’m guessing a wire came loose at one of them, and the other 2 are in line with that one, thus affecting them also.
I don’t want to go pulling the ceiling apart to find the loose connection. Is it possible to get to the wiring from inside the can? This is a new one on me, so could use a little direction.
Thanks
~ Ted W ~
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IIRc I think so. You have to take the bulb and trim out naturally, then remove the innersleeve that slides up and down to cover the drywall. then you can access the cover panel on the nearside of the junction box for the can. I don't really envy you might be tight working quarters. I have never had to do it, my cans are halos. I am not sure if all brands are accessible in this manner. You have to check it out.
Thants my two cents until someone else comes along.
Webby
Edited 4/18/2009 3:08 pm ET by webby
Most new construction cans give access to the junction box by removing the trim and either the inner liner or an access port. The j-box will have a snap-on cover accessible from there - if you have small hands.
If they are remodel type cans, you can pry up the spring clips holding them to the drywall and pull the whole unit out of the hole to access the j-box.
Don't forget that the problem could be in the first in line of the dead cans or the last in line of the working ones.
If by "outer" you mean two rows near opposite walls of the room, there's also a chance that they could have been wired on separate romex cables from the switch box if that was easier to do. Might be worth a quick peek inside the box to see if the problem is there. Look for a pigtail from the switch to two black wires or a loose neutral where all the whites are wire-nutted together.
Thanks, I didn't think about the switch box. I'm heading back over there now, and glad I check this topic before heading out.
btw, he says they were installed befor the drywall went up, so they must be new construction boxes.~ Ted W ~
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First thing to check is if the bulbs are the right size and not over heating things. check that the power to it is off and pull the center contact tab out to be sure it is completing the circuit at the bulb socket. too often an overhot bulb makes that metal prong retract and you loose contact.
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Way ahead of you there. I've run into that before and got to look like a genious when I fixed it without taking anything apart. But I never considered the heat being the cause, just figured it was crushed and needed pulled back out.
I went by there yesterday and took a closer look at the cans. I can see that I should be able to access the elec from inside the can, so will attempt to fix it tomorrow. I'll already be there doing some painting anyway. ~ Ted W ~
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"I never considered the heat being the cause"I can't tell you how often I see ceiling fixtures clearly labled, "Warning, 60W lamp maximun" with hundred watt bulbs scorching things. OPeople tend to be more carefull about right bulb with can lights, and they have reflector bulbs that keep heat directed out and down, but you never know.....
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Could be insulation too close to the cans in the attic. Some cans require air space with no insulation contact...This will cause the bulbs to burn out.
I had job few weeks ago and all the affected bulbs broke when I removed them ...had to use needle nose pliers to get the rest of the bulb out of the fixture.
Tom
http://www.sarasotahomerepair.net
Edited 4/19/2009 12:24 pm ET by Bustersrq
...had to use needle nose pliers to get the rest of the bulb out of the fixture.
What, you didn't have a raw potato in your toolbox?~ Ted W ~
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Actually the glass bulbs seperated from the metal. The potato, did not work had to use the pliers.
Tom
http://www.sarasotahomerepair.net
fixture overheating would only affect the one fixture and it would be comeback on after that fixture cooled off and off again after it overheated again..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
Not to mention cooking the wiring and possible burning the house down. :O~ Ted W ~
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If you need re-wiring tips there's a series of helpful posts starting here :)http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=119090.13BruceT
LOL!!!
but I prefer when I get call backs, it's not due to an electrical fire.
Funny story - my grandfather built their house in the early 50's from pretty much whatever materials they could get their hands on. One day I took a peek into the attic, don't remember why, but what do I see? 50 year old extension cords running the lenghth of the house! It's amazing that place stood till just a couple of years ago, when the property was sold and a new home was built there.~ Ted W ~
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