Light switch sparking problem trips breaker

[m***@yahoo.com]

I had had a problem with a light switch in a walk-in closet. Turning in
on sometime did not work, so had to press it for the light to go on.
Yesterday, when I flipped it on, there was a spark. Now no light. The
light in an adjoining bathroom also went out. The breaker had tripped.
I reset the breaker and all was well for an hour or so.
When I flipped the closet switch on again, a louder spark. Again the
breaker tripped.

So what is the problem here? Could a bad switch do this? Should I just
try replacing the closet switch?
No more load on that circuit than normal.
Thanks
Mark Sabatini

[Todd H.]

Post by m***@yahoo.com
I had had a problem with a light switch in a walk-in closet. Turning in
on sometime did not work, so had to press it for the light to go on.
Yesterday, when I flipped it on, there was a spark. Now no light. The
light in an adjoining bathroom also went out. The breaker had tripped.
I reset the breaker and all was well for an hour or so.
When I flipped the closet switch on again, a louder spark. Again the
breaker tripped.
So what is the problem here?

Sounds like the switch.

Post by m***@yahoo.com
Could a bad switch do this? Should I just try replacing the closet
switch?

Yes, that's where you should start. It's very inexpensive to do, and
would eliminate that as a point of failure, or as a safety concern.
You shouldn't hear or see arcing in a properly functioning light
switch. Be sure you have the breaker off when replacing the switch.

Also, if this is a newer home and happens to have GFCI's or AFCI's on
that circuit installed at the breaker box (if it does, you'll probably
notice a test button on the breaker), that might tell you more of a
"why" with the breaker tripping. but in any case, if you're hearing
noise when switching on the light, I'd start with replacing that
switch.

Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

[Bill]

The safest thing to do would be to call an electrician and have him check
the light fixture(s) and replace the switch.

Sometimes a ceiling or even wall mounted light fixture will create a *lot*
of heat which will damage the insulation on the wiring behind the fixture,
and this can cause a short circuit.

The circuit breaker is protecting whatever is causing this problem from
causing a fire. (Doing its job.)

I would not turn the breaker back on until an electrician has checked out
the wiring...

Post by m***@yahoo.com
I had had a problem with a light switch in a walk-in closet. Turning in
on sometime did not work, so had to press it for the light to go on.
Yesterday, when I flipped it on, there was a spark. Now no light. The
light in an adjoining bathroom also went out. The breaker had tripped.
I reset the breaker and all was well for an hour or so.
When I flipped the closet switch on again, a louder spark. Again the
breaker tripped.
So what is the problem here? Could a bad switch do this? Should I just
try replacing the closet switch?
No more load on that circuit than normal.
Thanks
Mark Sabatini

[John A. Weeks III]

Post by m***@yahoo.com
I had had a problem with a light switch in a walk-in closet. Turning in
on sometime did not work, so had to press it for the light to go on.
Yesterday, when I flipped it on, there was a spark. Now no light. The
light in an adjoining bathroom also went out. The breaker had tripped.
I reset the breaker and all was well for an hour or so.
When I flipped the closet switch on again, a louder spark. Again the
breaker tripped.
So what is the problem here? Could a bad switch do this? Should I just
try replacing the closet switch?
No more load on that circuit than normal.

The hot wire is coming in contact with either the ground
or neutral wire. That causes a very high current draw, which
trips the circuit breaker. If the breaker didn't trip, the
wires would get hot and start your house on fire. If you
repeat this cycle more than a few times, the breaker will
wear out, and your house will burn down. So, stop doing
this, and get it fixed. Either fix it yourself, if you know
how, or get in a professional to do the job. Or let the house
burn down, which also solves the problem.

-john-