skip to main content

Electrical Wiring Lighting

Breaker tripping when turning switch off

7 years ago

It appears that one white and one black wire come up into the switch box and one white and one black are coming down from the light. When I hook up the two whites on on side of the switch and the two blacks on the other side the light is on and then the breaker trips when I flip the switch. It worked before so I'm guessing I have the switch wired incorrectly.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

Ron Natalie
7 years ago
There's more to wiring than just matching up the colors.

Presuming you've described the incoming wires correctly, you want to:

Wirenut the two whites together and do not connect them to the switch at all.
Connect one black wire to the (non-green) screw on the switch.
Connect the other black wire to the other (non-green) screw on the switch.
Connect the green screw and all the bare or green wires you find there together.
HU-926170896
Original Author
7 years ago
That worked. Thank you!
Related Professionals
Charlotte General Contractors · Chattanooga General Contractors · Kahului General Contractors · Florence Home Remodeling · College Station Home Remodeling · Elmira Home Remodeling · Lawton Bathroom Remodelers · Traverse City Bathroom Remodelers · Allentown Bathroom Remodelers · New Bedford Interior Designers & Decorators · Amarillo Interior Designers & Decorators · Peoria Furniture & Accessories · Lake Havasu City Furniture & Accessories · Dalton Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Huntington Kitchen & Bathroom Designers

Related Stories

LIFE Slow Living 101: Tips for Turning Off the Chaos

By Laura Gaskill

It may feel as though you're too busy to slow down and enjoy life. But even little changes can have a big effect

REMODELING GUIDES 5 Trade-Offs to Consider When Remodeling Your Kitchen

By Kitcheneering

A kitchen designer asks big-picture questions to help you decide where to invest and where to compromise in your remodel

CONTRACTOR TIPS Building Permits: When a Permit Is Required and When It's Not

By Matt Clawson

In this article, the first in a series exploring permit processes and requirements, learn why and when you might need one

DECORATING GUIDES Homeowners Are Flipping for Push-Button Light Switches

By Rachel Grace

Button-style switches are hot off the presses again, making news in new homes and antique remodels

SMALL HOMES My Houzz: DIY Love Pays Off in a Small Prague Apartment

By Martin Hulala

Hard work and creative thinking turn a compact studio in the Czech Republic into a welcoming and cozy home

HOME TECH Switch On the Phone-Controlled Home

Lock your front door from afar, let your thermostat set itself and more when you use your phone as a control device

VACATION HOMES Make Your Vacation Home Pay Off

By Laura Gaskill

Renting your vacation house when you're not using it makes good financial sense. These tips can help

REMODELING GUIDES Finish Your Remodel Right: 10 Tasks to Check Off

By Laura Gaskill

Nail down these key details to ensure that everything works properly and you’re all set for the future

HOLIDAYS Houzz Call: When Do Your Holiday Decorations Go Up?

By Annie Thornton

Is it ever too soon to start spreading the holiday cheer?

HOME TECH Houzz Tour: A Gin Distillery Turned Bachelor Pad

By Natalie Wain

A renovation converts a dated North London apartment into a sleek, contemporary home for work, rest and play

Sponsored

More Discussions

LED Light bulbs not lasting very long

10

Electrical Question

2

Unexpected voltage drops

1

20 year old GE undercabinet lighting replacement linking cord

1

Why outlets get pigtailed

0