answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

I do not even know that it is the light switch that is popping your circuit breaker! It may be the switch or something else. The light switch controls a circuit. As electricity passes through that circuit it is heating up a contact or a weak place in a wire. At a certain point that hot place in a connector or in a wire allows the electricity to jump out of the circuit and not go through the light. When that happens, the circuit breaker pops.

You can turn off the circuit breaker. Then you can look at the connectors on your light switch. If one of them looks burned, You have solved the problem. You replace the light switch. Next comes the more difficult task of looking at the connectors for your lamp. If they are not easy to get to, you call an electrician.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why does the breaker trip after changing a receptacle?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What happens when a 20amp device connects to a 30amp receptacle and the power supply fails - will it trip the breaker?

Assuming you are referring to the power supply failing in your 20A device, it could cause the 30A breaker protecting the receptacle to trip. It depends on the mode of failure. It is easy to imagine a condition where a short in the power supply could cause a current in excess of 30A to flow to the device and trip the breaker.


Do you go from breaker box to receptacle to receptacle?

Yes, that is one combination you can use.


Duplex receptacle circuit given 15 amp breaker 225 amp load?

A 225 amp load will physically not be able to tie into a 15 amp breaker and a duplex receptacle as you can not get a 3/0 wire under the breaker and receptacle terminal screws.


Plugging an electric heater into a GFI outlet caused the lights and other outlets to go out but didn't trip the circuit breaker why?

A GFCI receptacle can pass it's "protection" to other outlets wired from it. If the GFCI trips, all outlets wired from it will "trip" also. A GFCI tripping will not necessarily trip the circuit breaker in the service panel.


Can you run a 30A dryer on a 50A receptacle?

You can always run under a receptacles rating. This just means how much current can be drawn thru the breaker before it will trip.


Why does new above counter receptacle trip breaker?

This happens quite often. The new counter plug is a split receptacle. There is a tie bar that has to be removed between the red wire and the black wire on the same side of the receptacle. A pair of needle nose pliers will do the job. If you look at the one that was removed you will see where it has been taken out. The way it is wired now you are shorting out the two hot wires and that is why the breaker trips.


Why is it good to a ground on a receptacle?

Not only is it good to put a ground on a receptacle it is mandatory by the electrical code rules. The ground is installed to provide a low impedance return to the distribution panel to trip the breaker supplying the circuit in case of a ground fault occurring on the circuit.


Can you change a 50 amp receptacle to a 15 amp receptacle?

Yes as long as you change the 50 amp breaker to a 15 amp breaker. You will be hard pressed to get the 50 amp #6 wire under the terminals of the 15 amp receptacle.


Why is it good to put a ground on a receptacle?

Not only is it good to put a ground on a receptacle it is mandatory by the electrical code rules. The ground is installed to provide a low impedance return to the distribution panel to trip the breaker supplying the circuit in case of a ground fault occurring on the circuit.


If a shunt trip occurs does breaker go to off or trip position?

the breaker goes to trip position


Why won't the receptacle reset?

Check your circuit breaker. The receptacle may be malfunctioning or you may be overloading the circuit when trying to do the reset.


What do you think would happen if you put a 3A fuse in a plug used for kettle?

I know what would happen. The three amp fuse would blow. Any device that is plugged into a receptacle with out having sufficient resistance to limit the current flow will dead short the circuit and cause the breaker that feeds the circuit to trip. In this case the fuse being of a lower rating that the feed breaker the fuse will blow without tripping the receptacle's feed breaker.