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BrianC80 · Jul 8, 2008, 06:10 PM

Hi,

I had a circuit breaker box installed about a month ago. I also had recessed lighting installed in the bedrooms with dimmer switches. The wiring goes from the box to the attic and connects to the each lighting fixture. This was all done by a professional.

Today, just as I walked into my garage where the circuit breaker box is, I saw a spark come out of the box. It wasn't a continuous spark - just one or maybe two. Afraid to touch the box, I went around the house to see where the electricity was out. It was all the recessed lighting fixtures in the bedrooms.

About two hours later, I went to the breaker box and saw that one of the switches was in the middle position. I put it in the off position for one minute, then put it back into the on position. Ran back upstairs to the bedrooms and appears that all the recessed lights work again.

Should I be concerned about this? I'm wondering if it was the temperature, as it was nearly 90 degrees today and the attic probably gets over 100 degrees easily. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Brian

stanfortyman · Jul 8, 2008, 06:16 PM

If this breaker fed the newly installed recessed lights I would certainly call the installer to check things.
Breakers do NOT trip like that (with a noticeable spark) for no reason.

Moose1123 · Jul 8, 2008, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by BrianC80

Hi,

I had a circuit breaker box installed about a month ago. I also had recessed lighting installed in the bedrooms with dimmer switches. The wiring goes from the box to the attic and connects to the each lighting fixture. This was all done by a professional.

Today, just as I walked into my garage where the circuit breaker box is, I saw a spark come out of the box. It wasn't a continuous spark - just one or maybe two. Afraid to touch the box, I went around the house to see where the electricity was out. It was all the recessed lighting fixtures in the bedrooms.

About two hours later, I went to the breaker box and saw that one of the switches was in the middle position. I put it in the off position for one minute, then put it back into the on position. Ran back upstairs to the bedrooms and appears that all the recessed lights work again.

Should I be concerned about this? I'm wondering if it was the temperature, as it was nearly 90 degrees today and the attic probably gets over 100 degrees easily. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Brian

Yes you should be very concerned. You may have an intermittent short, or a loose wire. The new breaker may be loose. I would call the electrician who installed it and tell them the situation. If you can turn the power off to the box might not be a bad idea. He should come out right away. You may have a fire hazzard brewing.

BrianC80 · Jul 8, 2008, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by stanfortyman

If this breaker fed the newly installed recessed lights I would certainly call the installer to check things.
Breakers do NOT trip like that (with a noticeable spark) for no reason.

So I should ask him to check the line that runs from the breaker box to the recessed lighting units?

Moose, it wasn't the main breaker that went out -- should I just switch off the circuit breaker that controls the recessed lights?

Thank you,

Brian

BrianC80 · Jul 8, 2008, 06:37 PM

OK, not sure if this makes a difference, but one of the recessed lighting fixtures in the room is out. Does this matter? Could this one unit have malfunctioned causing the spark? My apologies for knowing so little -- you guys are very helpful.

Thank you,

Brian

stanfortyman · Jul 8, 2008, 07:54 PM

A wire may have simply come loose in the fixture.
I would turn off the breaker until he can come back to check it.