Sudden, Miraculous Recovery re Overhead Lights in Closet

[riverrat38]

I did a search on the Luminus Model C-UPR63M, and found some. It says on an e-bay listing that the fixture is 120 VAC.

Luminus EXT LED 1200 Lumen 18W/120W Retrofit Light Kit Dimmable 5"-6" C-UPR63M for Sale - Holidays.net

I would take that to mean that the driver is in the fixture, and not the switch. But, I did fine some dimmer driver switches, also so they do exist.

73,
Rick

 

[TX-Dennis]

riverrat38, thanks for the thought. I went back upstairs, into the closet, up the stepladder and took these photos of the info on the fixture. Says 120V, so not low voltage, like you were considering, right?

Regular on/off switch should be okay, right?



Here is further info from the fixture in case it is useful:

Yes, that indicates that it runs on regular line voltage, so a regular switch is okay. It's at least possible that the lamps have gone bad. LEDs do go bad, and less expensive ones rarely last as long as claimed on the packaging (ask me how I know this). However - it would be EXTREMELY unusual for both of them to fail simultaneously. This, again, indicates that the most likely problem is your dimmer switch.

Normally the hot wire is black, the neutral is white, and the ground will be the third wire - usually green or bare.

I'm editing to add that on the new switch you should use the screw connections. Many switches also have "stab" connectors where you can just shove the wire into an opening to make the connection. These connections, though, tend not to be as reliable as the old fashioned screw down method.

 

[Kenna]

The dimmer may have wires permanently attached that go to wire nuts, if so unscrew wire nuts and attach to terminal on new switch. Use a long nose pliers to curl wire to go under terminal screw. Shut off POWER!!!!

 

[LVSteve]

The lights may be dimmable, but that does not guarantee that dimmer control will work with them.

 

[Onomea]

The lights may be dimmable, but that does not guarantee that dimmer control will work with them.

I agree, but odd that it would work for five or so months. As noted above, a handyman could not make it work, but an electrician did. I'm guessing the electrician poked/bent/manipulated it and got it working, but that it has now reverted to its former failure mode.

Edited to add: Breaking News! The switch, for reasons unknown, is working this morning. I have done nothing at all to the switch, but this morning when I tried it it worked. Electricity! It's like magic!

 

[Greyman50]

Get rid of it, intermittent operating switches are BAD. Rule No. 1, only buy electrical items at reputable businesses, Lowes, Home Depo, local hardware store or best bet is local electrical supply house. Electrical fires are Nasty just ask any fireman.

 

[Bekeart]

Magic / Technology

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Arthur C. Clarke

Electricity! It's like magic! - Onomea

Intermittent - Only works when not need. Never works when needed. - Bekeart



Bekeart

 

[jeffrefrig]

Electrical anythings do not fix themselves. I would replace the switch and the light fixtures. If you want LED, just get the bulbs that screw into a conventional fixture. Theres a bad connection somewhere. Bad connections can over heat and catch your house on fire. It's just good it's a closet light and not one that's going to be on for any extended length of time, unless "somebody" forgets and leaves it on. Also, I can't see why there would be a dimmer in a closet light. It's like putting sonar on a canoe. And, I'm having trouble with 3 wires on a light switch. The white wire is a neutral (Usually) so your switch should only be breaking continuity to the power wire, usually the black one. The other wire is the bare or green grounding wire. Okay, maybe you were counting black, black, and ground. That makes sense now. Good luck, and call a different electrician and tell him/her to buy all the parts needed.

 

[Imissedagain]

Electrical problems can be in the components or the solid core wire used to connect them in homes.

Nothing wrong with sonar on a canoe but a radar might be a bit much.

 

[Bekeart]

Up to SIX wires on a Switch

Bad connections can heat up. Years ago I had a common simple ON-OFF light switch that would feel very warm when I was would go to turn it off. CONTACT RESISTANCE in the switch contacts causing heat when current flowed. Replaced switch.

Up to SIX Wires on the Common ON / OFF Light Switch

Wires coming From Distribution Panel
1) Black - HOT
2) White - Neutral
3) Green or Bare - Ground

Wires to/from the Fixture
1) Black - Hot (Center contact on screw-in light bulb)
2) White - Neutral (Threaded contact on light bulb)
3) Green or Bare (To GROUND the fixture metal parts.)

BUBBA FIX:
Connect the two Black to the switch.
Use a wire-nut (or open twist) to connect the two White wires,
Ignore the Green/Bare wires.
NOT CODE - But it would work.

 

[Bekeart]

Sonar on a Canoe

Sonar on a Canoe BTDT

Lowrance Fish Finder

 

[Onomea]

I haven't been in there to look at the wires yet, and was just guessing at three.

While I haven't felt any heat with the existing switch, I agree with everyone who says the switch should be changed for reasons of safety.

My wife wants a hanging lamp in our high ceiling living room changed as well, and has purchased her preferred replacement. I am not gonna attempt that, so am thinking to have whoever I hire to replace the lamp install a new switch for my closet as well.

I appreciate the advice and comments.

 

[bigwheelzip]

As long as you are having other work done, you might consider better lighting fixtures in the closet. Something that broadcasts a wider pattern of light over items hung in the closet than a recessed can light typically provides.
The older I get, the more I appreciate good lighting, especially trying to tell the difference between dark blue and black clothes.

Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk

 

[Bekeart]

I haven't been in there to look at the wires yet, and was just guessing at three.

While I haven't felt any heat with the existing switch, I agree with everyone who says the switch should be changed for reasons of safety.

My wife wants a hanging lamp in our high ceiling living room changed as well, and has purchased her preferred replacement. I am not gonna attempt that, so am thinking to have whoever I hire to replace the lamp install a new switch for my closet as well.

I appreciate the advice and comments.

You might want to change out the closet fixture at the same time. While the switch is "suspect", the fixture has not been proven "innocent".

If you choose to replace fixture, let SWMBO choose the next one.

Bekeart

 

[mtgianni]

I sat next to an electrician at my grandsons basketball game this week. He mentioned to a friend that other than no power calls, he is booked out until February. I would expect little action on a return call in most environments,

 

[Greyman50]

When maintenance Superintendent for Very Large Co. years ago, came into work to find several guys standing Way Back from a 75 breaker 277 VAC panel near the time clock. Asked them whats going on and they all said the panel is kind of warm. Got my right hand man to remove cover. Want something to “ curl your hair”? Seeing the inlet 0 guage conductor melting the insulation off from a poor connection will do it. Management was not happy when told them no light in 100,000 sq foot plant. Since panel was less than 3 months old( new addition), called electrical contractor, they were there within few hours to make repairs. Had buddy in construction equipment rental business so rented all the light stands they had operations went on. Don’t gamble with bad electrical problems.