I turned on the bathroom light and power to all the bedrooms went out. The main circuit breaker is not tripped though. Turned them of and back on to be sure of this. I just replaced all the light switches on the circuit prior to this. Three bedrooms and the kitchen. When I replaced the bathroom light switch I accidentially arced the wire causing it to spark. After the power outage I checked the wires to make sure that they were secure. They are. But where I touched the screwdriver to the wire there is a burn mark. I think that the switch is blown. Also I noticed that the circuit breaker in the plug outlet in the bathroom is tripped and wont reset. Is this due to the power not working or could this also be the cause.
2007-11-12 13:56:24 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
There is a difference between the "main circuit breaker" and the individual circuit breaker for just the bathroom light. Make sure you check for the individual breaker as well.
A blown light switch should not cause a break in the circuit because the circuits are parallel, not series. It is possible that when you arced the wire, it caused a current surge in another part of the circuit that cause some other component to fail. It wouldn't necessarily be a part of what you were working on.
You mentioned that the "circuit breaker in the plug outlet ... won't reset". I assume you mean that the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) plug won't reset. If there isn't power to the circuit, the GFCI won't reset.
You will definitely need to do some more trouble shooting, especially with a volt meter to figure out where you have power and where you don't to try to isolate the problem. If you don't know how to do this or don't have a meter, you may be forced to ask an electrician for help.
2007-11-12 14:09:23 · answer #1 · answered by U235_PORTS 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are several things to check.
The breaker should have tripped for that circuit - If it didn't than consider replacing it. Breakers are protective devices.
A blown light switch should not effect the entire circuit. The switch has an incoming power source and when the switch is turned on allows current to flow to the output device (Light fixture).
ALWAYS TURN POWER OFF AT THE BREAKER FOR THAT CIRCUIT BEFORE WORKING TO KEEP FROM GETTING SHOCKED.
1. Check your GFI Receptacle in the bathroom to see if it needs to be reset.
2. Check to make sure the neutral wires are connected in the light switches.
3. Use a multimeter and determine where you have power and where it stops in the circuit (Power has to be on to do this). You can also save time with a voltage detector.
4. When you trace the circuit - you might start at the main box and follow the wires.
If you don't understand what I'm talking about - than for your own safety have an electrician fix it. There are two many hazardous risk to consider. Im think a bad neutral somewhere in the circuit.
2007-11-12 14:27:01 · answer #2 · answered by randyya_randyyaa 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Shorting a screw to ground usually won't hurt a switch. But it will trip a circuit breaker. It can also open a faulty connection. It can also ruin a GFCI. A volt meter should help trace down the problem. A GFCI will not reset with no power going to it. A burned out GFCI won't reset either. I would start on the GFCI with the volt meter to check for power. That GFCI might feed the switch and could be bad. Go from there. If you are going to play electrician, you need a voltmeter. And a good fire extinguisher.
2007-11-13 13:47:17 · answer #3 · answered by John himself 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You probably did ruin the switch. The arcing was definitely due to crossing the hot either to the neutral or to an ungrounded receptacle. In addition, if you have one of those receptacles with a reset button, there could be a fuse in it. I would replace the switch again, and also get a new reset outlet. Don't take chances. If it all still does not work, consult an electrician, much cheaper than firing up your house with people in it.
2007-11-12 14:05:53 · answer #4 · answered by ozarks bum 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would guess that the breaker in the plug outlet is your problem. I wish you had a meter to make this troubleshooting easier. Replace the outlet and go from there. Good luck
2007-11-12 14:06:18 · answer #5 · answered by skwonripken 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is why I usually suggest calling a licensed, professional Electrician
2007-11-12 14:04:42 · answer #6 · answered by gr8alarmguy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES! Get it fixed asap by a professional. It can also burn your house down.
You are legally not suppose to do it yourself, anything goes wrong you can be sued or prosecuted, especially if some one got hurt.
2007-11-12 14:05:16 · answer #7 · answered by Heretix 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you might have a bad switch, or check that you didnt switch up the wiring. your gfi outlet might not be good either
2007-11-12 14:07:54 · answer #8 · answered by hooks1247 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋