Posted: 8/24/2010 6:41:08 AM EDT
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So I am finishing out my basement and have 2 bedrooms on 1 circuit. I installed the light switches first and both worked fine. Then the other day I put in the outlets which also seemed to work when plugging in something(didnt check each one). Now last night I went down and flipped the same light switch that worked before and it blew the breaker. I tried the other room and it did the same thing.
The only thing that changed was that I added the outlets. Did I get something switched around or am I shorting something out in a box in the circuit? |
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Sounds like a short. I'd have to see a diagram of how you wired everything. Does it blow with only one switch or either? either one causes it to blow. I put the white on the side that says white and black on the side that says hot. Im wondering if I have a ground wire touching or something but wouldnt that blow it regardless of the switch? |
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Get one of these and check every outlet. They are cheap at the big box stores. http://1510365blog.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/how-to-check-electrical-receptacle-polarity-2.jpg +1 It really works great! If you want to check GFCI recepticals they make a model which does it all. |
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Get one of these and check every outlet. They are cheap at the big box stores. http://1510365blog.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/how-to-check-electrical-receptacle-polarity-2.jpg +1 It really works great! If you want to check GFCI recepticals they make a model which does it all. bought one of these and checked them all and they were all good to go but as soon as I flip either switch it pops the breaker. Weird shit. |
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I consider myself a pretty intelligent person. I even passed differential calculus and organic chemistry.
I reload my own ammo and installed a new roof and 16 windows. I rebuilt a Ford 302 engine...3 times Then I tried to wire a three way switch. I swear those things are voodoo, use magic and/or magnets with a treadmill. I cant get anything to turn on or off correctly anymore. |
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That's probably one of the two things I won't mess with in a house... electricity and plumbing. I'll replace a light switch or receptacle but forget about running a new line or anything.
Ok, so everything checks out with the plug in tester? Something sounds like it's shorted out. Does the breaker only trip when you flip a light switch? Did you mount the outlet box to the stud in the wall? Did you move anything installing the outlets? Something might have caught the hot wire and crossed it to ground or something like that. Are any of the outlets controlled by the switch or switches? It could be something there that's crossed... |
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If a hot and ground touched the breaker would pop instantly, not just when a switch went on. Unless the switch is controlling the outlets. In that case then that could be a result. If the switch is controlling a light then one needs to look into the light side of the circuits. |
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If a hot and ground touched the breaker would pop instantly, not just when a switch went on. Unless the switch is controlling the outlets. In that case then that could be a result. If the switch is controlling a light then one needs to look into the light side of the circuits. but thats the odd part they worked before I put the receptacles in(when they were just pigtailed) and after the outlets were in the light switch made it pop. The only variable is the outlets. |
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Nope
That's probably one of the two things I won't mess with in a house... electricity and plumbing. I'll replace a light switch or receptacle but forget about running a new line or anything. I own a low voltage electrical contracting company so its similar to but not the same thing that I do for a living. I also have business partners who are a full blown electrical contractor who assisted in the install(putting in breakers etc.) I cabled and deviced everything Ok, so everything checks out with the plug in tester? Yes Something sounds like it's shorted out. Does the breaker only trip when you flip a light switch? Yes Did you mount the outlet box to the stud in the wall? Yes Did you move anything installing the outlets? No just terminated the pig tails Something might have caught the hot wire and crossed it to ground or something like that. Seems that way but that would make it pop instantly vs only when the switch is flipped Are any of the outlets controlled by the switch or switches? It could be something there that's crossed... |
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If a hot and ground touched the breaker would pop instantly, not just when a switch went on. Unless the switch is controlling the outlets. In that case then that could be a result. If the switch is controlling a light then one needs to look into the light side of the circuits. but thats the odd part they worked before I put the receptacles in(when they were just pigtailed) and after the outlets were in the light switch made it pop. The only variable is the outlets. De energize ( switch breaker off) light switches and receps, pull it all out of J boxes and take some pics. Based on info given, I think you have taken a switch leg ( white conductor?) and a constant hot (black conductor) to the recep j box, and tied it together color for color when you made up ( wire nutted) recep pigtails |
