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Why is my New Light Switch Tripping the Breaker?

I just installed a new switch (provides power to the landscaping lights) & receptacles. Tapped off of an extra circuit from the basement. I connected the Hot & Neutral wires to one side of the receptacle, and ran Hot/Neutral from the other side of the receptacle to the switch (Hot - On/ Neutral - Off terminals). I also connected the Black/White wires from the outdoor lighting transformer with the same Hot/Neutral wires on the switch. When the switch is in the ON position, & the Circuit Breaker is turned ON - All is good. Light work. Receptacle works. However, when I turn OFF the light switch & then turn it back ON, it trips the circuit breaker ever time ?? What did I do wrong ?? Any advise would be greatly appreciated ! Thanks. BVW JN Thanks for the input. I have the ground wire coming from the ROMEX connected to both the Switch & the Receptacle. S/B Grounded.

Public Comments

  1. Okay, it sounds like the switch is not properly grounded. You need to make sure that the new switch you installed is grounded because what is happening is when you turn the switch back on, it is surging, causing the breaker to be thrown. It should be a relatively quick, easy, inexpensive fix. Attatch a grounding wire to the switch box and then to a grounding stud. Problem solved. At most it should take even a first-timer 10 minutes to ground it properly. That should put you in business. Good luck!
  2. Okay, I Think you ran the wires wrong, but it is hard to tell by your description. Black=Hot White=Neutral. Run white from existing circuit to lights with no breaks/interruptions. Run black wire to switch. cut, wire one end to each screw on the switch. you said "I also connected the Black/White wires from the outdoor lighting transformer with the same Hot/Neutral wires on the switch." You can't have both black and white wires connected to a switch. It sounds like you wired the blacks together and then wired both black and white to the switch on the off side. when you switch it off, you are throwing black and white together.
  3. Check to make sure your wires are capped in the light and that you don't have a stray wire touching the box. There may also be a break in the sheathing , so inspect the wire for this. MAKE SURE THE POWER IS OFF WHEN WORKING ON THIS WHETHER IT IS A BREAKER OR FUSE. Wiring is fun, but be safe.
  4. Quote: I connected the Hot & Neutral wires to one side of the receptacle, and ran Hot/Neutral from the other side of the receptacle to the switch There is your problem right there. The hot wires go on one side (brass colored screws) and the neutral wires go on the other side (silver screws) of the receptacle. You have a dead short between the hot and neutral.