Dimmer switch woes.....
#1
06-20-03, 07:34 PM
Dimmer switch woes.....
Hi I was changing a dimmer switch and while I was joining a white wire with a marette I touched the edge of the switch box. It sparked and then I went to find a tripped breaker and none were tripped.I reset all the breakers anyway. I know I had the wires right because I tested the lights by just touching the switch wires to the black and white in the box after removing the old switch. I have a what looks like a shaving receptacle on the wall in the bathroom closeby that will not reset. Any ideas?
Thanks a lot
Thanks a lot
#2
06-20-03, 07:43 PM
Member
Did you turn the breaker to this circuit off before starting to change the dimmer?
It's pretty easy to fry a dimmer if you put too much current through it.
When you say you have a receptacle that will not reset, I assume you're talking about a GFCI receptacle, true? It probably won't reset because you still have a ground fault that needs correcting first.
I'm just taking random shots in the dark because I really don't have enough information.
It's pretty easy to fry a dimmer if you put too much current through it.
When you say you have a receptacle that will not reset, I assume you're talking about a GFCI receptacle, true? It probably won't reset because you still have a ground fault that needs correcting first.
I'm just taking random shots in the dark because I really don't have enough information.
#3
06-20-03, 07:55 PM
Heres what I did and didnt do..
I did not try to isolate the breaker as nothing was marked and yes I was impatient. I usually just take the old switch off and real careful undo the marettes, connect new dimmer with new marettes to wires as per old switch. The plug in the bathroom 2 feet away has 2 outlets and a 'test' 'reset' red and blue buttons but will not rest now. Thanks for your help, I will definately switch breaker off next time
#4
06-20-03, 08:16 PM
Member
You may have fried both the dimmer and the GFCI?
Turn off the breaker. Then disconnect the wires from the "load" side of the GFCI. Turn the breaker back on. If it still won't reset, buy a new GFCI.
Turn off the breaker. Then disconnect the wires from the "load" side of the GFCI. Turn the breaker back on. If it still won't reset, buy a new GFCI.
#5
06-21-03, 05:17 AM
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while I was joining a white wire with a marette I touched the edge of the switch box. It sparked
#6
06-21-03, 08:58 AM
more info
I am buying a new 'GFCI?' switch today and dimmer, also a tester as I want to shut breaker off to GFCI and rest of circuit but my breaker box is not labelled , will a tester tell me when there is no electricity going to the load side of the the GFCI nearby the switch that Im working on? If I can shut the breaker off then I guess I can change both the GFCI in the bathroom and the light switch.
