Electrical – How to determine where power enters the bathroom light circuit

bathroom-fixtureselectricalwiring

How do I determine if the power source is going right into the 3-gang box of switches, or directly to one of the fixtures (1 vanity light and 1 light/exhaust fan combo)? What is the best way to install new light fixtures (say over the shower and/or bathtub), taking power from the light of the light/fan combo?

Essentially, we are looking to have the current switch that turns on the light of the light/fan fixture also turn on the new lights. The other two switches will remain connected to their respective fixtures (the exhaust fan and the vanity lights). Thanks!

Best Answer

OP seems to have done a scarper but for anyone else reading this:

The one sure way to find where the power enters a circuit is to completely disconnect each cable and drop a test load across its wires.

I detach the cables one at a time and re-connect each one before going on to the next. This saves having to mark everything first -- although it does involve a lot of running back and forth to the circuit breaker panel.

My favorite test load is a neon indicator lamp on a short piece of lamp cord with two insulated alligator clips. But almost any kind of lamp can be pressed into service.