Circuit Breaker issue

[Jay Pique]

I've got a light that will turn on ok, but when I turn it off it flips the breaker. I reset the breaker, turn the light on again and it goes on a stays on. Then I shut it off and it triggers the breaker again.

Any ideas?

Thanks, JP

[Jeff Wisnia]

Is the breaker by perchance one of the newer arc-fault detecting ones?

I've read that some of them can be too damn sensitive and react to things they really shouldn't, like a small arc occuring when a switch's contacts open.

If it is one of those kind of breakers, about all I can think of is first replacing the switch, particularly if it's one of the "silent" kind, change it to a snap actio., If that doesn't do it, change the breaker to one from a different manufacturer.

If it ISN'T on of those arc-fault detecting types, then I'm flummoxed, but would sure like to hear what it turns out to be.

HTH,

Jeff

[Jay Pique]

It *is* new. I'll have to check on the arc-fault detecting feature.

That could be it.

I'm going to try a different switch. I tried a new switch of the same make/model, but I haven't tried another type.

I'll let you know.

JP

[gfretwell]

Try a new switch

[Jay Pique]

It was a new lamp and a new problem. The lamp had never been used with the original switch. The breaker may have been too sensitive for the switch. At someone's suggestion a different type of switch was used (it "clicks", as they recommended) and the problem hasn't again arisen.

JP