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Why do you have 120 volt in your light fixtures with the switch off?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Under normal circumstances there are three options that it could be. (1) Someone junctioned a circuit that has nothing to do with the light in the light box, (2) It is a wiring method called a switch leg, it is used to reduce the number of conductors at a switch location or when a light was put in old work or (3) Someone installed a switch incorrectly and is switching the neutral conductor. Your best bet if you are trying to work on the light is to just turn the breaker off. If you are confused or do not feel comfortable as to how it is wired contact a qualified electrician to take a look at it, as always safety comes first.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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How do you know whether to get 120 volt or 130 volt light bulb?
If you want your bulbs to last longer then use 130 volt bulb on a 120 volt system. The light emitted by a 130 volt bulb, when comparing it to a 120 volt bulb, will be a bit dimmer.
Can a 12 volt light be run on a 120 vac timer switch?
No and yes. A 120-volt plug-in timer connects the line voltage to the timer and to the switch that is operated by the timer, so you can't use it directly for a 12-volt light.However, if you use the timer to supply power to a step-down transformer, you can run a 12-volt light off the transformer (that's how most low-voltage landscape lighting timers work). If you don't need much current, you could even plug a 12-volt AC adapter "wall wart" into the timer. Otherwise, you would have to open the timer and modify it so that the micro switch is completely isolated from the 120-volt supply and bring it out to connectors for a 12-volt supply. Make sure you know what you're doing and also don't exceed the current capacity of the switch.
Can you use a 277 volt high pressure sodium light in my garage?
Not unless you have 277 volts in your garage. Open the fixture and check the ballast. Some of the commercial fixtures have multi tap connections for different voltages. If 120 or 240 volt tap is present then you can use the fixture.
Does a 120 volt light use less than a 240 volt light?
The question is "use less of what?". If they are both the same wattage the 240 V light will use 1/2 the current of a 120 V light.
Can a 120V UL rated dimmer switch be used on a 240V dedicated line that is providing power to a UK built light fixture that uses UK light bulbs?
== == === === == == No. Do not use a 120 Volt rated device for 240 Volt service.All equipment on 240 volt circuit must be rated for 240 volts. Consider changing to a 120 Volt circuit and locating 120 Volt lamps with a base made to fit the fixture.I have several customers who have brought fixtures back from Europe and needed 120 volt lamps with a European base. As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
How do you know whether to get 120 volt or 130 volt light bulb?
If you want your bulbs to last longer then use 130 volt bulb on a 120 volt system. The light emitted by a 130 volt bulb, when comparing it to a 120 volt bulb, will be a bit dimmer.
Can you use a We Mo light switch on 240v?
The conscience is no. There is a work about by using an intermediary relay coil rated at 120 volts to switch the 240 volt feeder line.
Can you use 220 volt light bulb on 120 volt system - I know the reverse would probably blow the bulb so wouldn't European 220 Volt do ok in 120 volt socket or would it be dimmer than it normally would?
Yes a 220 volt light bulb will run on a 120 volt circuit but at 1/4 of the wattage that the light bulb is rated at. A 100 watt light bulb on 220 would would be equal to a 25 watt light bult on 120 volt system.
Is there a 120 AC dimmer switch wiring diagram for 24 volt DC motor?
The output of a 120 volt dimmer switch will be an AC voltage so should not be used on a DC motor.
Can a 12 volt light be run on a 120 vac timer switch?
No and yes. A 120-volt plug-in timer connects the line voltage to the timer and to the switch that is operated by the timer, so you can't use it directly for a 12-volt light.However, if you use the timer to supply power to a step-down transformer, you can run a 12-volt light off the transformer (that's how most low-voltage landscape lighting timers work). If you don't need much current, you could even plug a 12-volt AC adapter "wall wart" into the timer. Otherwise, you would have to open the timer and modify it so that the micro switch is completely isolated from the 120-volt supply and bring it out to connectors for a 12-volt supply. Make sure you know what you're doing and also don't exceed the current capacity of the switch.
Does a 120 volt light use less than a 240 volt light?
The question is "use less of what?". If they are both the same wattage the 240 V light will use 1/2 the current of a 120 V light.
Can you use a 277 volt high pressure sodium light in my garage?
Not unless you have 277 volts in your garage. Open the fixture and check the ballast. Some of the commercial fixtures have multi tap connections for different voltages. If 120 or 240 volt tap is present then you can use the fixture.
Can you use a 130 volt light bulb in a 120 volt socket?
Yes, the 130 volts you read on the bulb is just the maximum it will handle. It will work perfectly in a 120 volt circuit.
Can a hps light fixture be plugged in to a regular outlet?
If the ballast of the HPS fixture has a 120 volt tap then, yes it can be plugged into a 120 volt receptacle.
On a humid day the PLASTIC part of the light switch in your bathroom lights up a power tester It's 240 volts Is this dangerous?
the plastic part of the light switch should never show voltage especially if it's a 120 volt circuit. 240 volts is two 120 volt circuits the circuit might be connected to another circuit in the bathroom separating them will fix the voltage but you should also inspect and replace the switch. Chris Belveal
Can a 120V UL rated dimmer switch be used on a 240V dedicated line that is providing power to a UK built light fixture that uses UK light bulbs?
== == === === == == No. Do not use a 120 Volt rated device for 240 Volt service.All equipment on 240 volt circuit must be rated for 240 volts. Consider changing to a 120 Volt circuit and locating 120 Volt lamps with a base made to fit the fixture.I have several customers who have brought fixtures back from Europe and needed 120 volt lamps with a European base. As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
Can a 220V light fixture be used in the US?
Yes, you can easily use it. Just install it as you would any other 120 volt light fixture and change the bulb from a 240 volt bulb to a 120 volt bulb. It will work just fine.
