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    shellM8's Avatar
    shellM8 Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jun 21, 2008, 07:14 AM
    Electric tripped because of light switch
    Hi its me again whilst putting in a replacement light switch yest my bathroom flooded at the same time now all my lights downstairs and landing are tripped is this due to wet wires or the installation of the new switch I have switched an put the old plastic one back but still no light have I messed up all my electrics somebody help I've got 3 young kids an can't get in touch with the landlord an no light thanks
    WallyHelps's Avatar
    WallyHelps Posts: 1,018, Reputation: 136
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    #2

    Jun 21, 2008, 08:34 AM
    Do you have access to the circuit breaker panel? Does it trip as soon as you flip it on?
    Try disconnecting the switch (mark where the wires are connected) and see if that helps.

    Best of luck,
    WallyH
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #3

    Jun 21, 2008, 09:59 AM
    LANDLORD??
    You should NOT, repeat NOT, be messing with anything electric if you do not own this place.

    Call the landlord and have him contact a qualified electrician to fix whatever is wrong!
    Washington1's Avatar
    Washington1 Posts: 798, Reputation: 36
    Senior Member
    		  
    #4

    Jun 21, 2008, 08:02 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by stanfortyman
    LANDLORD????
    You should NOT, repeat NOT, be messing with anything electric if you do not own this place.

    Call the landlord and have him contact a qualified electrician to fix whatever is wrong!
    I agree with Stan!
    shellM8's Avatar
    shellM8 Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    Jun 22, 2008, 08:38 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by WallyHelps
    Do you have access to the circuit breaker panel? Does it trip as soon as you flip it on?
    Try disconnecting the switch (mark where the wires are connected) and see if that helps.

    Best of luck,
    WallyH
    I have disconnected the switch and replaced it with the old plastic one still no joy yes its tripping as soon as I flip it on
    WallyHelps's Avatar
    WallyHelps Posts: 1,018, Reputation: 136
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    #6

    Jun 22, 2008, 08:55 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by shellM8
    i have disconnected the switch and replaced it with the old plastic one still no joy yes its tripping as soon as i flip it on
    Have you tried leaving the switch disconnected and then flipping the circuit breaker? Perhaps there is a wiring issue in the switch that is causing the overload. Unless you have light sockets full of water, I am still skeptical that the bathroom flood would be involved.

    Is this an old building? I suppose really old insulation might take on enough water to short out a circuit. Once it dried out, however, it should no longer cause a breaker to trip.

    Best of luck in this weird situation!
    WallyH
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #7

    Jun 22, 2008, 09:00 AM
    I hope this person does not kill themselves (or one of the kids!! ), or someone renting there later. That kind of liability would suck!
    donf's Avatar
    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
    Printers & Electronics Expert
    		  
    #8

    Jun 22, 2008, 09:18 AM
    Shell,

    If you are here in the U.S.A. renters and condo owners are not allowed to work on the electric wiring. The landlord has to have a licensed electrician do the work.

    I believe that the International NEC code is the same. You need to check with you local electrical board for verification.

    If you rent, get the landlord to get the electrian, period!
    Washington1's Avatar
    Washington1 Posts: 798, Reputation: 36
    Senior Member
    		  
    #9

    Jun 22, 2008, 04:27 PM
    It would be best to heed our advice, and Not work on rental property.
    Wally, you may want to heed our advice as well.
    WallyHelps's Avatar
    WallyHelps Posts: 1,018, Reputation: 136
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #10

    Jun 23, 2008, 04:21 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Washington1
    It would be best to heed our advice, and Not work on rental property.
    Wally, you may want to heed our advice as well.
    Yes, I totally agree that the landlord should get this fixed. The water+electricity+tenant combination is very dangerous. I was thinking that perhaps the way the new switch was connected was the problem and that the flood was just a coincidence, but the risk is just too great to speculate.

    I'm on-board with the others that this needs to be professionally addressed.

    WallyH
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