Pot lights suddenly tripping breaker?
#1
03-28-21, 09:57 AM
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Pot lights suddenly tripping breaker?
Hi --
I have a series of 5 pot lights, 10-12 years old, in my kitchen, installed (not by me) when the kitchen was redone in 2010. Never had a problem with them, but now all of a sudden they trip the breaker every time I turn them on.
I replaced the halogens with LED bulbs almost 2 years ago and never really had a problem, though they would flicker a bit at low settings on the dimmer.
The pots are on a circuit with 5 other LFs, all single bulb. Shouldn't be anywhere near enough load to trip the breaker, and never has before.
I've done a bit of reading suggesting that it might be a load issue, but why now when it's never been a problem before? Would love any suggestions. Thanks!
I have a series of 5 pot lights, 10-12 years old, in my kitchen, installed (not by me) when the kitchen was redone in 2010. Never had a problem with them, but now all of a sudden they trip the breaker every time I turn them on.
I replaced the halogens with LED bulbs almost 2 years ago and never really had a problem, though they would flicker a bit at low settings on the dimmer.
The pots are on a circuit with 5 other LFs, all single bulb. Shouldn't be anywhere near enough load to trip the breaker, and never has before.
I've done a bit of reading suggesting that it might be a load issue, but why now when it's never been a problem before? Would love any suggestions. Thanks!
#4
03-28-21, 12:24 PM
It sounds like you're using LED bulbs, so it's easy to unscrew them and see if one is causing a short. Similarly, it could be a surge took out the dimmer switch. I'd put money on one of the LED bulbs going bad.
#5
03-28-21, 01:30 PM
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Thanks for the replies. I checked the breaker and it is in fact GFCi. It's never been a problem before. What's different now I wonder?
As far as the bulbs, I took them all out and put in halogens -- same problem. The dimmer is an interesting point though. Whether LED or halogen, if the dimmer is at the lowest level the lights seem to be OK. Increase them the tiniest bit and the breaker trips.
Anyway, I appreciate the suggestions. Keep them coming! After trying the bulbs, my next step was to try a new switch to see if the probem is in there. Does that sound like a reasonable course of action?
As far as the bulbs, I took them all out and put in halogens -- same problem. The dimmer is an interesting point though. Whether LED or halogen, if the dimmer is at the lowest level the lights seem to be OK. Increase them the tiniest bit and the breaker trips.
Anyway, I appreciate the suggestions. Keep them coming! After trying the bulbs, my next step was to try a new switch to see if the probem is in there. Does that sound like a reasonable course of action?
#6
03-28-21, 02:03 PM
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The cause is likely a ground fault somewhere not an overload.
It would be odd that the lights are on a GFCI. Does this circuit also serve an outside receptacle? Some other wet location like a bathroom?
It would be odd that the lights are on a GFCI. Does this circuit also serve an outside receptacle? Some other wet location like a bathroom?
#7
03-28-21, 02:22 PM
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Now that you mention it, it does serve the light in the downstairs powder room near the kitchen, which has a GFCI outlet near the sink. Is the GFCI breaker necessary?
Now I guess the question is, how do you find a ground fault? uninstall and reinstall all the pots?
Now I guess the question is, how do you find a ground fault? uninstall and reinstall all the pots?
#9
03-28-21, 04:23 PM
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I took all the bulbs out, and flipping the switch didn't do anything -- breaker didn't trip. Only an issue when there are bulbs -- halogen or LED, doesnt' seem to matter.
#11
03-29-21, 07:50 PM
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That's a good start, thanks. Could it also be the switch, which is a dimmer? I could try to replace it and see what happens.
