[Lovelace92]

Tried installing a new light switch in the bathroom. It is a double switch, connected both black wires to each screw labeled positive and two white wires on other side of switch and but the bare copper under the green screw. As soon as I flip the breaker switch back on it trips. Put old switch back on and breaker is fine. Any advise as to why this new switch trips my breaker? My old switch and new switch are rated the same 120-277v 15 A

 

[chetwisner]

Did you replace with same type switch? Sounds like you've connected the hot and neutral to switch, which will present a direct short when the switch is closed.

 

[Wiredindallas]

So the switch is 2 single pole switches? Only 2 blacks and 2 whites+ grounds? On 1 side of the old switch was there an unbroken bridge piece between the 2 screws?

 

[Jim Port]

Whites are only connected to a switch when a switch loop is involved. In a switch loop the white should be the constant hot.

 

[surferdude2]

Make and model # of switch?

BTW, what often happens when mounting a grounded yoke device is one of the yoke mounting screws penetrates the hot wire in the box... check for that possibility and dress the wires away properly to prevent it.

 

[seharper]

Is that how the old switch was wired? Or did you decide to change how the wiring was arranged? Was the old switch a "smart switch" or other powered switch with a need for the neutral wire?

What do you mean by "positive"? Is this switch bought at a home improvement or electrical supply store and rated for mains AC current and has standard form-factor for AC mains switches? Or is it something from the automotive/Radio Shack/Mouser/Digi-Key electronics world?