PDA

View Full Version : New Can lights Tripping the breaker


nathanbg
May 16, 2008, 03:15 PM
I jumped the power for three 55w can/flush lights from an existing outlet. The outlet still works. The lights are wired in parallel and will work perfectly if wired without a switch. As soon as you put the switch in there and turn it on, it trips the breaker. I can't figure it out - I even tried a 20 amp switch and no luck. Any ideas what I've done wrong?

stanfortyman
May 16, 2008, 04:00 PM
Maybe you can tell us how you wired it. :confused:

Stratmando
May 16, 2008, 04:09 PM
If you are going from light to light and same colors kept together, then I would disconnect last 2 lights, if it still trips, problem may be first light, If it doesn't trip connect back up and disconnect last light. You may have a pinched wire under a can cover.
If drywall is up and ceiling painted, you can still remove the 3 or 4 screws in bottom of can and pull down or push up into ceiling, remove cover and inspect. Good Luck.

nathanbg
May 16, 2008, 09:10 PM
Yes, I wired it light to light and double-checked that the wire colors were kept consistent. I will try that suggestion about disconnecting the last two and so on and so forth. Chances are there is a short to ground due to a pinched wire - they are only 3" lights so there's not much room under the "cap" to fit all the wire nuts and excess wire. I'll go back and double-check that everything that's bare wire is taped up well, too!

Thanks!

stanfortyman
May 17, 2008, 03:50 AM
You say "cap". PLEASE don't tell me these are "Emerald" brand fixtures! :eek: