muggs Posted July 11, 2009 Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 If anyone out there can help me with this I'd really appreciate it. I took out a light fixture from my basement ceiling, capped it off with a wire connector by connecting the white and black wire, then when I flipped the breaker switch to the "on" position, it keeps tripping. I'm not sure why. I just want that fixture out, and was going to drywall over the hole where it was. I'm not sure why this would be causing the breaker to trip because in no way is it adding more amps or anything I'm really at a loss.:hammer1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sskybnd Posted July 11, 2009 Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 try capping each wire off seperate instead of together, and see that its not a on a relay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunter1963 Posted July 11, 2009 Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 If you connected the white and black wires together you are causing a short. you need to cap them separate and i would tape them so the wire nuts won't fall off and put a cover on the electric box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted July 11, 2009 Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 If you connected the white and black wires together you are causing a short. you need to cap them separate and i would tape them so the wire nuts won't fall off and put a cover on the electric box. Yep. I did the same thing back in the day. At least you know your breaker is doing its job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted July 11, 2009 Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 capped it off with a wire connector by connecting the white and black wire, then when I flipped the breaker switch to the "on" position, it keeps tripping. I'm not sure why. You shorted the circuit Eric. The white and black do not go together. Cap them individually with the correct size wire nuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NS whitetail Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 You shorted the circuit Eric. The white and black do not go together. Cap them individually with the correct size wire nuts. just what william said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunt or be Hunted Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 If you connected the white and black wires together you are causing a short. you need to cap them separate and i would tape them so the wire nuts won't fall off and put a cover on the electric box. yupp that's it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Just put a wire nut over the hot and neutral seperately (black and white wires) and put a blank cover over it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Looks like they got ya covered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcwa Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Since your question has been answered. I have a question for you. Why are you going to leave a live wire (even if it's on a switch) behind the drywall. If your not going to use the wire for another light fixture or a receptacle, disconnect the line to the fixture from the switch or even the breaker if there isn't any other receptacles on that line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 they are right on with the shorting the circuit, as far as drywalling over a live wire... It is against the electrical code and a possible fire hazard Eric. Put a blank cover over the box and paint it to match or disconnect the wire in your switch box. Wire nut each wire seerate and electrical yape them on too. Hope this helps bud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 I got this a bit late...I see the question was answered . Keep the wires apart when you when you cap them. You created a dead short by making the neutral and hot wire touch. You are not allowed by code to bury a box or splice without having access to it in a drop ceiling or behind an access door. All wire connections should be inside a box that has a cover. Splices should be twisted clockwise with wirenuts screwed onto the splice. I hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 Wow no wonder you like Obama.........You got your wires crossed Hahahaha Seriously though don't connect the 2..........separate and cap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 Wow no wonder you like Obama.........You got your wires crossed Hahahaha Seriously though don't connect the 2..........separate and cap. Now that's funny right there!!!!!!!!!!:clown: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 How many times did you throw the switch and trip the breaker? Every time you probably added a couple of bucks to your electric bill! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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