FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

tripped breaker

mandingo751 | Posted in General Discussion on July 21, 2007 01:03am

Help.I’m not an electrician so take it easy on me if this is an easy one.I came home today flipped on the kitchen light bam! tripped the breaker.I tried to reset and it won’t.So I unhooked the light fixture, still won’t reset.Did the breaker fry,If so why it’s only 2 years old?

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. JTC1 | Jul 21, 2007 01:21am | #1

    >>I tried to reset and it won't.<<  Generally indicates either a bad breaker or a dead short somewhere in this circuit.

    >>So I unhooked the light fixture, still won't reset.<<  Tells you that this light fixture is not the problem.  Look elsewhere in the circuit - I would be looking in the switch box which houses the switch for this light, since the circuit was on until you flipped this switch. Look for evidence of arcing - burn marks, smoke trails, welding spatter, etc. 

    >>Did the breaker fry,If so why it's only 2 years old?<< Breaker could be bad. Can be bad right out of the box, and occasionally they just decide to die prematurely.

    Go slow, look around - could take a while.

    Others will chime in soon.

    Jim

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

     



    Edited 7/20/2007 6:22 pm ET by JTC1

  2. mandingo751 | Jul 21, 2007 01:31am | #2

    Just realized that a bulb blew in the above mentioned fixture.This has happened before,but the breaker always reset.Could the fixture fry the breaker?



    Edited 7/20/2007 6:32 pm ET by mandingo751

    1. JTC1 | Jul 21, 2007 01:48am | #3

      >>Could the fixture fry the breaker?<< Stranger things have happened.

      Check the fixture before re-installing with a continuity meter.  There should be no continuity between the hot side and neutral or the housing.  No bulb in fixture for test 1.

      Insert new bulb and retest, assuming incandescent you should now have continuity between hot and neutral leads; no continuity between hot and housing.

      If all is OK with the fixture --- the road points toward the switch box and then to the breaker itself.

      Jim

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

      1. mandingo751 | Jul 21, 2007 01:52am | #4

        Thanks, I will see what I can do.

  3. DanH | Jul 21, 2007 01:54am | #5

    Most common cause of this is a bulb that blows, and, in doing so, shorts internally. If this happens, the breaker should reset when the wall switch is off, but may trip again when the switch is turned on.

    If the breaker won't reset with the wall switch off, check for some other bulb on the same breaker. Failing that it COULD be a bad breaker, but also could be bad wiring somewhere (and the first place to suspect is in the wiring around first switch you flipped, especially if it's always seemed a little loose).

    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
  4. LeeLamb | Jul 21, 2007 02:03am | #6

    When many breakers trip you must flip them to the off position even though they are tripped.

    Identify tripped breaker

    Flip it to the off position

    Snap it quickly "on"  

    Many breakers will not allow you to simply reset from tripped.

    Good luck, be careful.

     

  5. mandingo751 | Jul 21, 2007 02:34am | #7

    I just changed the breaker out with a new one.It didn't trip but, I haven't reconnected the suspect light yet.I dont have a continuity  tester. So I don't know If I should reconnect or 86 it.

    1. DanH | Jul 21, 2007 03:20am | #8

      Get a known good flashlight battery. Hold the white wire of the fixture on the negative end of the battery and tap the black wire against the positive terminal. If you don't see any sparks (check the battery with a straight piece of wire to know what to look for) then the fixture isn't shorted.
      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. mandingo751 | Jul 21, 2007 03:31am | #9

        I'm confused no spark means short or no short?

        1. DanH | Jul 21, 2007 03:34am | #10

          No spark is good -- it means there's no short. But also try using a single piece of wire from one terminal to the other so you can verify that the battery is good and see what a "bad" spark would look like.
          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. mandingo751 | Jul 21, 2007 03:37am | #11

            Brilliant! Thanks Dan

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Townhouse Transformation

A sleek, modern redesign maximizes space and light while preserving the building's historical charm.

Featured Video

Micro-Adjust Deck-Baluster Spacing for an Eye-Deceiving Layout

No math, no measuring—just a simple jig made from an elastic band is all you need to lay out a good-looking deck railing.

Related Stories

  • Old Boots Learn New Tricks
  • Install Denim Insulation Like a Pro
  • Podcast Episode 691: Replacing Vinyl Siding, Sloping Concrete, and Flat vs. Pitched Roofs
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Roofing on Commercial vs. Residential Buildings

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data