Questionable Wiring

[gcaesar310]

I am renovating a former ‘builder’s’ home and am stumped by the way he, or his electrician has wired the light fixture in a room. When I removed the fixture, I found that the black wire from the power source was tied to the black on the light and the black wire from the switch was tied to the fixture white wire. Both white wires were tied together in the box. Is this safe?

[Billhart]

That is called a switched neutral and it is dangerous.

This the way that it should be wired.

http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/switchoutlet/basiclightswitch/basiiclightswitchsl.htm

Not that the white wire to the switch should be remarked on each end. Typically done with black or red electrical tape or marker.

[gcaesar310]

Is this something I can rewire myself or should I have an electrician come in and evaluate all the connections in the house?

You said it was dangerous, what dangers are there with the current black to black white to black configuration?

[Author]

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