[jfcarstens]

Last night we had an incident and the chain to the light on my ceiling fan was ripped of. This caused the breaker to throw. I took the cover off and reattached the chain where it had broken, but I can't get the breaker to turn back on. There is no snap or anything, as soon as I move it to on it throws back to off. Any advice??

[ballengerb1]

If there was a snap then I'd say you still have a short. With no snap I suspect the breaker has failed and needs replacement. Try disconnecting the two wires from the breaker and tell me if it will reset. Be careful removing the lines since the other breakers are still hot or pull your main.

[donf]

What was the incident and how did the chain get ripped out?

It is more than likley that more damage was done than just the chain breaking.

The switch could have been pulled and is now contacting an exposed wire. Turn power off at the main panel prior to inspecting the fixture. If you find any bent support prongs for the switch, try to straighten them.

If all else fails, consider replacing the fixture with a new one.

[Washington1]

I agree with both responses above.

Damage to the fixture could have caused a short.

Remove the fixture, and investigate all connections.

[kp2171]

I completely defer to the great members here in this area, but this question reminded me of a situation I had some years ago.

after screwing around with a ceiling fan that was not working and a breaker that wouldn't reset it turned out the breaker went bad. After pulling out the fan to get into the box and then getting nowhere until I replaced the breaker I thought next time it would have been easier for me to just replace the breaker or to change out the wires to another similar breaker. Not to minimize the danger of working inside the service panel.

just seemed easier to me to check out the breaker first, but then I probably just didn't like getting up there and seeing how dirty my ceiling fan was up close and personal. =)

[Washington1]

I completely defer to the great members here in this area, but this question reminded me of a situation I had some years ago.

after screwing around with a ceiling fan that was not working and a breaker that wouldn't reset it turned out the breaker went bad. After pulling out the fan to get into the box and then getting nowhere until I replaced the breaker I thought next time it would have been easier for me to just replace the breaker or to change out the wires to another similar breaker. Not to minimize the danger of working inside the service panel.

just seemed easier to me to check out the breaker first, but then I probably just didn't like getting up there and seeing how dirty my ceiling fan was up close and personal. =)

I believe we are looking at the situation based on the information received. The OP said:

Last night we had an incident and the chain to the light on my ceiling fan was ripped of. This caused the breaker to throw.

[kp2171]

I understand. Just thought a short in the line could also damage a breaker and that change out seemed faster to me. Not trying at all to say I know left from right.

[Washington1]

not trying at all to say I know left from right.

LOL! After listening to my GPS I don't think I know! :D

[jfcarstens]

I inspected the wiring in the ceiling fan, and couldn't find any exposed or damaged wires

[Washington1]

I inspected the wiring in the ceiling fan, and couldn't find any exposed or damaged wires

Then try what Ballenger suggested---then get back to us.

Be careful!

[ballengerb1]

Yep, I'm leaning toward a bad breaker. Whatever the short was it took its toll on the breaker.

[ceilingfanrepair]

Disconnect the fan. If it still won't reset, try changing the breaker.

Of course it could be a third completely coincidental issue.