You’ve connected the ungrounded (hot) conductor directly to ground through the switch. the reason the second switch caused the breaker to trip, is because it was toggled in the “correct” orientation. If the other switch had been toggled, it to would have tripped the breaker.

Why is my dimmer switch tripping the breaker?

When a light switch trips the breaker, a faulty light switch or light fixture is usually the cause. A wire may have come loose at the switch or fixture and is shorting out the hot wire. Always check the switch and fixture first. Also check any GFCI receptacles that are on the circuit for a malfunction or fault.

Why does my new light switch trip the breaker?





A switch is in an improper position when the switch pole screw lies against the switch box and the runner is shorted, which causes the fuse to blow when you turn the lights off. Also, the breaker will trip if the runner short circuits to the ground or neutral wire somewhere along the wiring’s terminus.

Can you put 2 dimmer switches on the same circuit?

You can only have one dimmer per group. You can put the dimmer at either location, but not both locations. There are “companion” dimmers available from some companies, that allow you to place additional dimmers in the circuit.

What causes multiple breakers to trip?

Common reasons for your circuit breaker tripping are because of either a circuit overload, short circuit or a ground fault. Here’s some information about the differences between a circuit overload, a short circuit and a ground fault to help you solve your circuit breaker and electrical systems issues.

How do you fix a breaker that keeps tripping?

If a circuit trips because it has been overloaded, you can try disconnecting something from the circuit and using another circuit for the electrical power instead. To help determine what caused the problem, unplug all the items on the circuit before resetting the breaker.

Can a loose wire cause a breaker to trip?





A circuit breaker can trip (or a fuse can blow) due to nothing more than a loose wire. This can happen even if the wire is still connected to an outlet, but the outlet’s terminal screw isn’t tightened enough.

Why are my LED lights tripping the breaker?

Why are my leds tripping the breaker? LED power supplies have something called an inrush current. This happens when the supply is initially turned on, and for a very short period of time there is a spike of power (much higher than the specified output of the power supply), which means this can trip some breakers.

Can light switch short circuit?

Tip. If a circuit breaker repeatedly trips each time a wall switch is turned on, it’s very likely there is a short circuit somewhere in the wiring pathway. A short circuit occurs when a loose or damaged wire causes electrical current to stray outside the established circuit pathway.

Will a surge protector stop a breaker from tripping?

Many modern appliances are sensitive to sudden surges of electricity that, themselves, may not be enough to blow a fuse or trip a circuit breaker. Surge protectors essentially act as a buffer, dolling out the current at a constant rate regardless of how it is coming in.

Can I replace a 15 amp breaker with a 20 amp breaker?



If your wiring is of the correct gauge, you can change a 15-Amp circuit breaker to a 20-Amp breaker. A 15-Amp circuit uses a 14-gauge wire. A 20-Amp circuit breaker uses a 12-gauge wire. If the copper wire is 12 AWG, you can replace the 15A breaker with a 20A breaker.

What are three warning signs of an overloaded electrical circuit?

Signs of Overloaded Circuits

  • Dimming lights, especially if lights dim when you turn on appliances or more lights.
  • Buzzing outlets or switches.
  • Outlet or switch covers that are warm to the touch.
  • Burning odors from outlets or switches.
  • Scorched plugs or outlets.

How can I tell if my circuit breaker has gone bad?

Key Indicators to Tell if You Have a Bad Circuit Breaker

  1. Breaker Doesn’t Stay in “Reset” Mode.
  2. Burning smell.
  3. Hot to the touch.
  4. Visible damage to the box or outlets.
  5. Breaker trips frequently.
  6. Old Age.



How do I fix a short circuit in my house?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: It's likely that there's an internal short in this case you'll have to locate and repair the damaged wires or component. Then the breaker must be reset or the fuse replaced.

How much does it cost to fix an overloaded circuit?

On top of regular wear and tear, overloaded circuits lead to a blown circuit breaker. This is an easy fix for a professional. So the cost comes in low at about $150. That includes materials and labor in most service calls.

How much does it cost to replace a circuit breaker switch?

According to HomeX, the cost to replace a circuit breaker switch is around $200 at most in 2021. This slightly contradicts the national average stated by porch.com, which pegs it at around $250.

How much does it cost to add a new circuit to a breaker box?



Installation Cost of a Replacement or New Circuit Breaker



The average cost to install a new circuit breaker is $187. The cost is as low as $130 for 15 amp to 30 amp breakers and as high as $280 for breakers up to 200 amps or when the circuit breaker is an older one with limited availability.

When should you replace a circuit breaker?

Breakers should be replaced on average every 25-30 years. Additionally, they can come by to take a look. If your circuit breaker is old but not too old, you can pay for their visit without having to pay around $2,500 for the replacement.

How many times can a breaker trip before it needs to be replaced?

An electrician is coming to replace the cutoff (containing fuses) with a simple lever cutoff. In discussing this he said that a circuit breaker should not be allowed to trip more than 4 or 5 times before being replaced.

What is the life expectancy of a circuit breaker?

about 30 years



Life expectancy for molded case circuit breakers in the industry is generally expected to be about 30 years, given favorable environment and regular maintenance. Required maintenance, especially for older breakers, includes annual exercising—OFF, ON, TRIP, RESET, ON.