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-   -   Turning on light switch trips breaker. (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=118706)

  • Aug 11, 2007, 07:43 PM
    dhrobertson
    Turning on light switch trips breaker.
    This is another 2 fold problem. I've just purchased an older home and the wiring in the master bedroom is giving me major problems. Problem 1 has to do with receptacles and a light switch. There are 6 receptacles and 2 light switches in the room which is also connected to the bathroom light and exhaust fan. When I first moved in only half of the receptacles in the room worked. Checking the wiring, there were some wires that were not connected. After making the connects all of the receptacles worked, but when the light switch which I thought operated the ceiling fan is turned on, the breaker trips. Upon closer checking the light switch is not connected to the ceiling fan (that is issue #2), but appears to be in-line with the receptacles. All but 1 of the receptacles has two cables coming into the box. The one on the wall with the light switch has 3 cables. I have tried connecting everything without the light switch, but then only part of the room receptacles work. Does any one have any suggestions on this issue or should I just call a professional.

    Issue #2 is the ceiling fan, which is hot wired. There is only one electrical cable coming into the fan and it doesn't appear to be on any of the circuits. I turned everything off, but the wires are still hot. Is it possible to run a cable from the fan to the existing light switch in the room or even install a new one? Or do I have too many issues and need to contact a professional.

    This might need to be submitted as 2 posts, but it's all in one room. Any thoughts or assistance would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks,
  • Aug 11, 2007, 08:15 PM
    MOWERMAN2468
    The Light Switch Could Be Doing What Is Called "back Feeding" The Light, I Do Not Know As How I Can Not See It. But When It Is Back Fed The Black Wire Is Hot, And The White Wire Both Are Hot. It Sounds Like You Could Save Yourself A lot Of Grief And Reduce The Possibility Of Fire If You Call An Electrician.
  • Aug 12, 2007, 06:51 AM
    Stratmando
    Question #1 Older houses weren't always wired for fan, One switch probably was for half of recepticle(s), Would have thought second for ceiling box(for light). Wonder if Bath and bed on different circuits, and now hitting head on, when switch is thrown.
    Is Bath and bed on Same circuit? Was the Tab broke off that connects upper and lower receptacle?

    Question #2, You may be lucky and fan wiring already from switch box, would have to disconnect wires at switch to see if power to fan goes out.
  • Jan 22, 2008, 10:31 AM
    ceilingfanrepair
    How many wires are in the box with the switch? If only one, do you know where it goes to?

    Same question for fan.

    Basically, you want to disconnect the switch from the equation at the point it splits off, and connect the fan to it at that point. You may have to run a small amount of extra wire.

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