Chandelier White

Chandelier White

wiring a chandelier?

i am putting up a chandelier that i took down to paint the ceiling. In the ceiling i have one cable with a black, a white, and a ground wire. The chandelier has two gold wires. I have tried all sorts of ways of connecting these wires but nothing happens each time i try. I have checked that there is current running through the wires (and there is). I am not an electrician but i like to think i know a bit about what i am doing. any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks
i tried another Light Fixture on the circuit...that doesnt work. what the heck am i doing wrong!!!

First of all how much voltage are you getting from the black and white wire? It must be about 120v give or take a few volts. If you are getting at least 110v to then there is no reason a regular light fixture would not turn on when connected right. My guess is that you don't have at least 110v coming in which could mean a number of things. Maybe there's a loose connection somewhere. Maybe your switch is bad, but first you need to find out exactly what voltage your getting to the light. How are you measuring it? Are you using just a hot stick to hear a beep or see a light? If you are, then you need to get a voltmeter or a multimeter and get an actual reading. Just make sure you have the setting on "AC Voltage" when measuring. It might say VAC (volts ac) or it might just be a V with a wavey line over or under it. Do not try to measure current (Amperage) the same way you measure voltage. You'll get an arc and possibly blow your meter. It might say AAC (amps ac) on your meter. Make sure you NEVER ever set it on that. I only know of electronics technicians that would measure it that way, because the amounts are smaller and sometimes they need to be really accurate in their readings. Usually to measure current, you need to turn the circuit on with the load or loads turned on, then use a clamp on ammeter to put it around the conductor (either the one that's connected to the circuit breaker for total amperage of circuit, or around any one of the wires that's going to your load or light for individual load readings. I'm assuming that you probably just used a hot stick, because some hot sticks can also detect current, but will not give you an amount. Anyways, in this case, there's no reason to be measuring current here. If your chandelier was working before you took it down, then I can only come to one conclusion. When taking it down, or when trying to put it back up, the weight of the chandelier might have pulled one or both of the black and white wires loose or even snapped it open if it's old enough wires. Check the connection to the switch. Also check voltage to the switch. Make sure the switch is in the OFF position, then measure. Put one lead on one screw with the wire connected to it, and one lead on the other screw that has the other wire connected to it. You should read about 120volts. When measuring power going to the light, the switch should be in the ON position though. If there's power going to your switch, but not to your light, you know your problem is between your switch and the end of the black and white wires. That's all folks. Hope I helped. Let me know how it went.