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dpb

wrote:
thanks for the response,

i was beginning to change the entire light fixture, but at the point of
the spark, i was just removing the bulb. my only concern was when i
tried to flip the switch in the circuit breaker (i think that's what
it's called) and the spark happened there. not on the main switch at
the top, but when i tried to flip the switch for the kitchen. now the
kitchen lights don't work, but the appliances do, and the outlet in the
family room next to the kitchen doesn't work.

I'm with you, the arc at the breaker in the panel is at least unusual
and worth having an electrician check out what's going on.

I also agree w/ the posts the explanation of the spizensparks at the
fixture were from the fixture having either a loose connection or
something loose in the fixture itself that caused a short. It is
possible, of course that there may be a broken insulation spot on the
wiring or other problem there as well. You probably will be able to
see some signs of where the arcing actually occurred from a burn
mark--if so, it would likely pinpoint the problem area and you would
then know whether it was fixture or wiring. If fixture, it's going
away with the new one, if wiring, that needs attention, obviously.

The suggestion to take the fixture down (breaker off, of course) and
then turn the breaker back on w/ the leads to the fixture isolated is
good, too. That will be a basic indication of whether there is a
problem in that circuit wiring or not, but might not be a good
indicator of whether there's an issue in the panel with that circuit or
something else, hence the agreement on getting an electrician is a wise
choice.