We were having some problems with our bathroom light and we turned off the breaker and it was really dirty and we saw a wire that looked fairly beat up. We cleaned it out a bit and used wire cutters to remove the part of the wire that looked bad. We reconnected the wire the same way it was...when we turned on the breaker the lights came on in the bathroom for a minute and then went out. It is not the light bulbs or the breaker everything else in the room functions properly. I am thinking it might be the light switch. Or is there anything else that it could be?
2007-03-15 14:03:42 · 6 answers · asked by DG 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Make absolutely sure that the wire is making full contact with the breaker, Also shut the breaker off and reinspect the wire going into the breaker because it may have a break in the insulation that you dont see. Unscrew the wire from the breaker and move it around to see if the solid wire may have broken in the insulation, it happens... You can try changing the switch but to know for sure if its the switch, take the switch out and disconnect the two wires. Then put those two wires together with a wirenut. Then turn the power back on. If the lite comes on then its your switch, if not then you need to have someone come out and start troubleshooting...
2007-03-15 14:14:32 · answer #1 · answered by manny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There could be a loose connection somewhere in the line or one wire burned into. Are you sure the wire you cut off was just dirty? it wasn't burned by any chance?
If a ceiling light, the main load probably goes from the circuit breaker box to the box in the ceiling the light fixture is attached to. the load wire then goes to the switch and back to the light fixture. Check these connections as well as the wires in the switch box. The light should not be on the same circuit as the outlet in the room.
Electrical wiring is not something to play with if you don't know what you are doing. [[[The most hazardous item in the house]]] suggest calling a licensed electrical contractor to be on the safe side.
Hisemiester
2007-03-15 22:43:05 · answer #2 · answered by hisemiester 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may have a GFD (Ground Fault Detector) outlet in the bathroom. Most bathrooms do. It is an outlet with a check and reset button in the middle of it. This might be wired improperly and just cuts off the light. Check it by plugging something into it and tripping it and see if it turns off.
2007-03-15 21:13:29 · answer #3 · answered by don n 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the switch is fairly old it most likely is the switch but also check to make sure all GFCI plugs are reset , if that is the only thing off it is the switch if anything else is off it prob. is the breaker that needs replacing.
2007-03-15 21:25:44 · answer #4 · answered by brndnh721 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your fixture may be thermostatically protected. Check on the bulb socket or other portions of the light fixture for max wattage. To much wattage will shut the fixture down. It's a heat thing
2007-03-15 21:13:14 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
DG,
Go to this link and then click on the set-up that you have. It will give you a diagram to follow:
http://www.electrical-online.com/wiringdiagrams.htm
Good luck!
2007-03-15 23:05:57 · answer #6 · answered by thistexan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋