Adding light fixture to switch trips breaker
#1
11-14-19, 01:21 PM
Adding light fixture to switch trips breaker
As part of a major renovation, I had a professional electrician prewire a new ceiling light in a small bedroom for future installation.
I am coming back now to add the fixture and my first attempt tripped the breaker. The wiring for the outlets in the room is also routed through the ceiling j box, so I’m wondering if I’ve created a short through these connections.
I am coming back now to add the fixture and my first attempt tripped the breaker. The wiring for the outlets in the room is also routed through the ceiling j box, so I’m wondering if I’ve created a short through these connections.
Here is the layout of the box:
-1x yellow hot from wall switch
-1x orange hot from wall switch (presumably for a future ceiling fan)
-4 x white neutral all bundled with one wire nut. Each enters the box from a different conduit.
-4 x green ground
I tried attaching to the yellow hot and adding the neutral to the bundle with the other 4 wires, but the breaker tripped immediately when I switched it back on. My assumption is that I need to separate the neutral bundle in someway, but I’m admittedly out of my depth.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
-1x yellow hot from wall switch
-1x orange hot from wall switch (presumably for a future ceiling fan)
-4 x white neutral all bundled with one wire nut. Each enters the box from a different conduit.
-4 x green ground
I tried attaching to the yellow hot and adding the neutral to the bundle with the other 4 wires, but the breaker tripped immediately when I switched it back on. My assumption is that I need to separate the neutral bundle in someway, but I’m admittedly out of my depth.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
#3
11-14-19, 03:04 PM
Thanks for your reply.
I will take photos of the ceiling box and wall switch this evening.
I figure it’s far more likely that I made a mistake in wiring, but it’s possible the fixture is defective. It’s brand new so I’ve never seen it operate correctly. Unfortunately I’m not sure how to test this short of swapping it in for a fixture that currently functions...
I will take photos of the ceiling box and wall switch this evening.
I figure it’s far more likely that I made a mistake in wiring, but it’s possible the fixture is defective. It’s brand new so I’ve never seen it operate correctly. Unfortunately I’m not sure how to test this short of swapping it in for a fixture that currently functions...
#4
11-14-19, 03:28 PM
Member
You can check the switch with a VOM meter set on continuity. If on full continuity, if off, none. You can check the hot wires with the voltage calibration switch on the VOM. You have a 3 conductor cable (usually its black, white and red and of course a bare copper for ground). Could it be that the neutral was hot?
yel wire______to switch______yel wire to__________light_______neutral. This completes a circuit.
yel wire______to switch______yel wire to__________light_______neutral. This completes a circuit.
#6
11-14-19, 08:12 PM
Thank you for the suggestions.
I pulled out the wires again tonight to take a picture and quickly realized my mistake. I happen to
be colorblind, and it turns out what I had assumed to be “green” wires were really black...
Anyway, it’s great to know a community like this exists. I have plenty more work to do on the house so will probably checking back in from time to time.
be colorblind, and it turns out what I had assumed to be “green” wires were really black...
Anyway, it’s great to know a community like this exists. I have plenty more work to do on the house so will probably checking back in from time to time.
#7
11-15-19, 04:36 AM
Before using a VOM meter or multimeter set to ohms or resistance or continuity, turn off the power. At least one of the two places to which you touch the respective meter test wires or clips to must be labeled, unhooked and by itself.
