"Jo" wrote in message
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On Apr 23, 4:38 pm, "RBM" wrote:
"Jo" wrote in message

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The other night I went to turn on the lights at the light switch by my
front door and it made some noise and the lights wouldn't come on.
Some of the electrical outlets in the neigboring room wouldn't work
either. It tripped the circuit breaker so I reset it. I tried again to
turn the lights on at the switch and it tripped the circuit breaker
again. When it does this, the light switch makes a weird noise.

Does anyone know what might be wrong here? I know the wiring in the
house is piggybacked, if that makes a difference. And should there be
any problems using the electrical outlets that are somehow connected
to the light switch, as long as I leave the lights off? My TV is
plugged into one of those outlets, so I want to make sure it doesn't
get damaged somehow.

Thanks,
Jo

** There is a short circuit on the load side of that switch. Whatever
light,
that switch controls, or the wiring leading to it, has a problem. If you
want to use other things on that circuit, just tape the switch "off", and
there won't be any problem using other things on that circuit. Have the
short checked by someone who is experienced in these matters


So when you say in the "off" postion do you mean so that the lights
aren't on or do you mean there is actually an off position? There are
actually three switches there for three different lights. Then there
is another switch in the hallway for one of those lights. Then there's
a switch at the top of the stairs for two of those lights. So
depending on how you flip the switches, there is no actual "off"
position. So I assume you mean "off" as in the lights aren't on.

How complicated is this problem? Would it be as simple as removing the
plate and checking and fixing what's behind it?

Thanks,
Jo

Whichever switch you touched, that made the breaker trip, leave in the "pre
short" position. If there is a corresponding switch, to that one, that
operates the same light(s), don't touch that one either. Put tape on them,
so noone else touches them as well. The other switches and outlets on that
circuit should be fine. No, it's not necessarily going to be a problem at or
behind the switch plate. More than likely, it's a problem with one of the
lights that the switch operates, especially if it's an outdoor light