Why does my circut keep blowing up?

November 6, 2006 3:48 PM

I had an electrician install track lighting for me. The tracks were installed on 2’ extensions so they hung down from the ceiling. I didn't like how low the lights hung so I decided to take the extensions out. I got the first one okay and everything worked fine. Then BOOM, POP, SPARK. Why?

I had an electrician install track lighting for me. The tracks were installed on 2’ extensions so they hung down from the ceiling. I didn't like how low the lights hung so I decided to take the extensions out. I got the first one okay and everything worked fine.

Then I did two other tracks... hit the power... and BOOM! A big POP and a SPARK from one of the ceiling boxes happened, and the circuit tripped.

I figured I should trouble shoot and took the two tracks I had recently re-done apart and flipped the switch again. BOOM the first track I installed popped too! After taking all the wiring out that I had done myself, the remaining two tracks work fine.

My question is: Why did the POP and SPARKS happen? Any suggestions for how to fix or troubleshoot where the problem is coming from?

posted by savagecorp to home & garden (6 comments total)

This probably goes without saying, but make sure the power is off when working in the box.

To me, it sounds as if you don't have a very good connection in the box. If you feel comfortable/competent, make sure they are very well connected using a wirenut. Also, make sure that hot goes to hot, common goes to common, and the fixture is properly grounded.

If you're not sure and confident, it's probably worth calling an electrician back out. It can be expensive, but it's cheaper than burning down your house or electrocuting yourself.
posted by JMOZ at 4:21 PM on November 6, 2006

Also, make sure there are no exposed wires in the box or shorts. Either one could cause the breaker to trip and sparks.
posted by JMOZ at 4:22 PM on November 6, 2006

Wires shouldn't touch anything where they're live (bare metal). So make sure they're not shorting out on the box or on other wires. I wrapped mine in electrical tape 2 turns or so. I'm not an electrician, so please don't go getting electrocuted on me.
posted by zpousman at 5:25 PM on November 6, 2006

Electrician's tape does not go in boxes. I don't know exactly what you mean by the extension or what you did, but wires in the box should be capped with wire nuts. If you have difficulty putting these on, and getting them to stay, you need to get the electrician back. You obvioiusly have a short, and again, if you can not figure out where it is then you need to call the electrician back. Don't kill yourself or burn down your house.
posted by caddis at 5:49 PM on November 6, 2006

There isn't enough hard information to say anything useful..

Can you post pictures? Can you describe what you have been doing in detail?

I guess one thing I can think of.. It isn't always as simple as black to black and white to white. For example, your switch might get live on the black, and send it back on the white. Obviously, tying that white to the whites which are neutral will cause a problem.

It still shouldn't be sparking like you describe. The short should be so hard (direct and well connected) that the breaker should just pop instantly..


As for electrical tape.. Some people like to wrap things like wire nuts and receptacles in it. You probably shouldn't.. From What do I need in the way of tools? in the electrical wiring FAQ:

Electrical tape. Lots of it ;-) Seriously, a good and competent wiring job will need very little tape. The tape is useful for wrapping dicy insulation in repair work. Another use is to wrap around the body of outlets and switches to cover the termination screws - I don't do this, but drywall contractors prefer it (to prevent explosions when the drywall knife collides with a live outlet that has no cover plate).

posted by Chuckles at 6:24 PM on November 6, 2006

Let me elaborate on the "it isn't always that simple" part..

Map out the cables that connect your three ceiling boxes, your switch, and the electrical panel. You should really include anything else on that breaker too..

Something like:

panel ==== switch ==== box1 ==== box2 ==== box3

or

panel ==== box1 ==== box2 ==== box3
            ||
            ||
            ||
          switch

posted by Chuckles at 6:37 PM on November 6, 2006