I was trying to find a breaker to a circuit and took the switch wires and touch them together it cause the lights to go off,but the breaker did not trip and now I can't get the lights back on also the main breaker was arcing as I turn it on and off

Are you sure that the wires are not still in contact with each other or part of the box? It sounds like you still have a dead short. Did you mean to say main breaker is arcing or just the breaker for the line you were working on?

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Originally Posted by charles1962

but the breaker did not trip and now i can't get the lights back on also the main breaker was arcing as i turn it on and off

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CALL AN ELECTRICIAN right away!
This just became a pro-only situation. Replacing a main breaker is NOT a DIY job.
It is actually likely that the panel will need to be replaced since the buss is likely burned.

BTW - who told you it was OK to short out wires to find a breaker?? We don't do this any more.
If you want to continue in this trade and look like a pro I'd lose that practice right away!