Replies

1. 
   maddog3 | Jan 28, 2007 04:07am | #1

   there is an open connection in the neutral splice at the switch j-box....

   the burnt looking ground....???

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2. 
   BillHartmann | Jan 28, 2007 04:15am | #2

   "I investigated with a volt meter and found juice at the switches (3 way on the kitchen group) "

   That is the problem. The juice has gummed up all of the switches. Was it OJ or tomato juice? (Please see tag line).

   What did you use to meausre the "juice" at the swiches? And exactly from where to where did you meausre.

   Most likely you have a bad connection in that box. Don't forget to check the connections on both the hot and neutrals.

   Check connection on both the wire nuts and connections at the switch.

   One common cheap way of doing multiple switches is to run the hot and push it into the back stab on the switch and then use the screw terminal to dasy chain to the next one.

   "There is a fuse in the can which looks sealed so I can't check it any further"

   There is no fuse, it is a thermal protector and self reseting.

   Even if it was bad then it would only affect that one fixture.

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   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
1. 
   JTC1 | Jan 28, 2007 04:28am | #4

   You type faster than me!

   Jim

   Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

3. 
   JTC1 | Jan 28, 2007 04:26am | #3

   See Madddog3's post. Open neutral would shut them all down.

   I believe the sealed devices in the cans are the thermal high limit switches - problems are doubtful with these, in any event a faulty thermal switch would only kill one light, not all of them.

   Try volt meter between hot and the can body (should be grounded) - should show 120v or there abouts, if so the problem is in the neutral side (eliminates breaker and wall switches from the problem list).

   Another test would be to turn the wall switch "on" and test in the cans with a "non-contact voltage detector" - it will still beep even with an open neutral. (eliminates breaker and wall switches as problem).

   Good luck,

   Jim

   Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light. 

4. 
   DanH | Jan 28, 2007 04:38am | #5

   A "fuse" (probably a thermal cutout) in one can wouldn't knock everything out unless it's badly miswired.

   I'm guessing you messed up the wiring while working on the switches. 3-way wiring is easy to mess up.

   So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
1. 
   user-144646 | Jan 28, 2007 10:17pm | #6

   Thanks everybody,

   I went back and redid the neutral that was burnt, actually I re-ran the whole line from the breaker to a junction box because I didn't have enough slack. Re-wired it to the old breaker and the whole circuit worked fine. I then hooked it to a spare breaker and reinstalled it just in case there was an issue with the old one. Still not sure why the breaker didn't trip. Also went back and rechecked the connections at the switches and they were fine with nothing loose or burnt.

   As far as what type of juice, I can't say for sure, but I am fond of orange. That must have been it!

   I never use the plug ins on receptacles or switches, always the screws with the wire wound in the correct direction and then I wrap the contacts with tape, electrical that is.

   Thanks for your help

   Dave E.

2. 
   user-144646 | Jan 28, 2007 10:20pm | #7

   Sorry. I noticed in the original post it said the ground wire was burnt. I was mistaken it was the neutral.

   Dave E.

5. 
   renosteinke | Jan 29, 2007 02:56am | #8

   This thread worries me. A little knowledge can be dangerous, and there are enough mis-statements to make me advise you to get someone to look at it who is REALLY qualified.

   Can lights do NOT contain fuses. The "sealed" thing is a temperature switch .... a very important thing for preventing fires. DO NOT mess with it.

   Nor does one ordinarily check a breaker with an ohm meter.

   Your problem is almost certainly either a bad switch, or a loose connection in that box. As for the "burnt ground wire" in the panel, I cannot imagine what that is all about.

1. 
   user-144646 | Jan 30, 2007 03:22am | #9

   Thanks for your concern,

   I agree, a little knowledge can be dangerous. I am concerned as well so I'm having an electrician come out and take a look at it.

    

   David E.