Light shorted out!

cgoll · 10-13-2010, 11:41 AM

Last night I had a ceiling mounted light short out. It is the type that holds 4 candelabra style bulbs. One of the wires in the daisy chain was just fried.

This light was on a three way circuit with one of the switches having a dimmer in it as well. Everything worked as it should have until this short.

Now, when I flip the standard switch I get 120 v on the wires where the light was connected. However, the switch with the dimmer does not control power there. Could the short have damaged it? I haven't had time to pull that switch.

Also, the short did not cause the breaker to trip. I guess that's why AFCIs are out there...

jbfan · 10-13-2010, 11:56 AM

Chances are the dimmer is fried.

cgoll · 10-13-2010, 06:13 PM

Well, the dimmer switch showed no visible signs of damage but a new one and a temporary light fixture has done the trick.

It's nice to have an easy fix once in a while!