Water shorted outdoor fixture- concerns?


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Old 12-11-14, 10:54 PM
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Water shorted outdoor fixture- concerns?

Stormageddon had finally reared its ugly head and shorted a back porch light that was supposedly weather resistant. Definitely a short- saw the blue flash, then no light.

The light in question is on a two way switch with a second light which is fine.

Obviously I can't do anything about it until it stops raining, however should I have any immediate concerns? I was tempted to turn off the breaker, but it's on the same circuit as my garage lights.

Any advice would be great. TIA.
 
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Old 12-11-14, 11:26 PM
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Usually when you see a blue flash it means the water hit and cracked the bulb.
 
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Old 12-11-14, 11:37 PM
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Thanks for the reply.

There are two bulbs in the fixture and both are out. I suppose there is a small chance one blew earlier and I missed it.
 
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Old 12-12-14, 08:15 AM
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The light in question is on a two way switch with a second light which is fine.
The light is on a WHAT? No such thing as a two way switch.

Definitely a short- saw the blue flash, then no light.
IF you had a short, the breaker should have tripped.
 
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Old 12-12-14, 08:37 AM
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My mistake, I meant a three way switch with two lights.

However, there is such a thing as a two way switch. It's a basic switch/light setup IIRC.

Also, a short can occur on the branch w/o tripping the breaker if the flow of the current doesn't exceed the breaker amperage.
 
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Old 12-12-14, 08:45 AM
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there is such a thing as a two way switch. It's a basic switch/light setup IIRC.
You must be thinking of a single pole switch. There is no such thing as a two way switch.

a short can occur on the branch w/o tripping the breaker if the flow of the current doesn't exceed the breaker amperage.
True, a parallel arcing fault is technically a short, but generally a short that causes a visible flash will be enough to trip the circuit breaker. I would check for a bad bulb, like PJ suggested, first.
 
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Old 12-12-14, 09:54 AM
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2-way switch is what they call a 3-way switch in the U.K. the term is not used in the U.S. or Canada. Both a single location switch (my nickname) and a 3-way switch are single pole switches, SPST and SPDT.
 
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Old 12-12-14, 09:57 AM
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2-way switch is what they call a 3-way switch in the U.K
Ha! That's what I get for having all my friends from GB helping me! Thanks for clearing that up.

The only issue with the bulb is it's an LED flood. Would that flash the same.

Honestly, I think I just need to wait for a break in the weather and get in there and check things out (with the breaker off!)
 
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Old 12-12-14, 11:30 AM
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The only issue with the bulb is it's an LED flood. Would that flash the same.

Honestly, I think I just need to wait for a break in the weather and get in there and check things out (with the breaker off!)
I'd first check the fixture with a standard incandescent or halogen lamp before tearing things apart, with the power on. If the LED lamp is bad, it is probably still under warranty. Most are warranted for 3 to 5 years. Was this LED floodlamp intended for outside use or just an indoor LED fllodlamp.
 
 

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