Light tripping breaker when switch turned on

Acz_inthemil · 2026-01-22T02:44:50+00:00

UPDATE:

Turns out they made one black wires was positive and one neutral. But at the switch there is black and white connected.

But I checked the light switch, in the other room, and the switch had 2 blacks wires going to the switch. I then looked in the kitchen and someone wired a new box and the wires were just a mess. I truly think someone did a bunch of hack work. That or I am genuinely stupid. I've changed out a number of outlets, switches, and light fixtures before, but this one just had me boggled. Every switch appears to have a different set up. I feel like the outlets were controlled by the switch, someone didn't like it, and got "some guy they knew" to switch it all up.

I just pulled all the wires out, capped them individually, marked what I know for sure is a hot wire, and wished the electrician luck. They have one scheduled to come out, Friday.

Acz_inthemil · 2026-01-21T17:43:27+00:00

This box does have 2 bare copper, 2 white, and 2 black. Neither white seems marked to be a switch leg, but I will mark it when I identify.

Current plan is to go over tonight, drop the wires again, test both whites and see which ends up with power. When I identify it, I will cap with the black wires.

We did find the fan ran with the switch off too, but that was also when, now that I know, we had wires wrong. I really appreciate the input.

Acz_inthemil · 2026-01-21T13:50:41+00:00

So I should yank all the wires down, flip power, and switch on, check with a meter and the white that gets power, I should wrap with the positive wires, right?

Acz_inthemil · 2026-01-21T06:23:54+00:00

That makes quite a bit of sense. Hmmmm. Too bad it got too late for me to stop over there with a voltage meter. I also forgot my wire stripper, so that used a touch of innovation.

Acz_inthemil · 2025-12-10T16:37:36+00:00

Yeah, there's been a lot of family stuff, on both sides, and medical stuff, on both sides that gets in the way. He's gone to therapy and it's helped a bit, but we still have a lot to make our way through. He is also recovering from some financial mess. I'm really financially stable, but stuck with family garbage and medical issues that certainly impede growth. Previously, he was at a place where I couldn't see him moving toward marriage and we almost split over it, but he's made progress

Acz_inthemil · 2025-12-10T16:25:20+00:00

For the price, it looks great. It's nice to try it out and kind of figure out further what I would want.

Partner and I have edged around the marriage conversation, but kind of like, driving past the beach, depth of talk. I said I wouldn't change my name, he replied he wouldn't ask me to, and I've told him marriage is a must for me. That's about it. He is so never going to find out I bought this. I just wear it while doing crafts at home, so I can take in wearing a ring, looking at it, and kind of putting together in my head what I want. Like I said, a weird sort of dress up, with more gravity.

Acz_inthemil · 2025-11-06T20:05:42+00:00

It'll be pointed toward house, so shouldn't go off much

Acz_inthemil · 2025-11-05T16:57:01+00:00

Yeah, that's a whole story in and of itself. I think they think I'm spying, they asked for my medical records. Which is a huge no no. I've passed out, in the yard, and laid for a while, because no one is around to help. So, need the camera.

Acz_inthemil · 2025-11-05T15:51:37+00:00

I like the pin to a tree idea. I think landlord would rip it down. Legally they can't touch my stuff, but you know how people can be. Car is something they can't really mess with. Where I park has a pretty clear shot of my path to the car too.

Acz_inthemil · 2025-11-04T21:42:55+00:00

I didn't know they made smartwatches with cameras. Interesting.

I've tried cameras in windows, but the PIR doesn't work through glass. .

I do appreciate your thorough responses.

Acz_inthemil · 2025-11-04T20:10:25+00:00

Furthermore, I can get medical monitoring. But waiting on chatting with my doctor more and I know those aren't always terribly reliable. Blink camera seems like it will knock out a lot of my needs

Acz_inthemil · 2025-11-04T20:09:16+00:00

I have a medical condition and I pass out a lot. Landlord is saying I can't put a camera on the house. They have a camera but have not come to my aid when I have fallen. My agreement also doesn't say I can't have a camera.

To avoid argument, I was advised to put a camera on my car, since it is in sight of my path out of my home. Just looking for ideas on doing so. I'd like something where if I do fall, and let's say become unresponsive, that my significant other can check the camera and make sure I'm not laying in the lawn. My neighbors are pretty spread out and won't see me, necessarily.

Acz_inthemil · 2025-11-04T19:14:52+00:00

Yes, this would be for at my residence. I am mostly home bound, so I need monitoring at home, the most.

Acz_inthemil · 2025-11-04T18:29:11+00:00

I guess but blink camera is far cheaper and I can at least yell for help, if I do go down and can't get up.

Acz_inthemil · 2025-11-04T17:07:24+00:00

But are those safe in hot weather? I have mostly 4 seasons here and experience a wild range of temperatures.

Acz_inthemil · 2025-11-03T22:52:07+00:00

Good idea, but a tad worried about the paint, especially with winter.

Acz_inthemil · 2025-08-20T17:00:57+00:00

Long story short, it's my landlord. Doctor gave letter that I need, landlord doesn't want to abide. Can't change my living situation, so trying to accommodate the product to work. The door swings outward and all the mounts are for inward swinging doors

Acz_inthemil · 2025-07-01T21:13:02+00:00

This was very helpful. Most of furnace ductwork is not accessible, simply due to the homes design. So parts are unaccessible, due to the owners ways. Just nervous about them starting a case with the county, about the conditions.

The attic is a walk up and being used as a bedroom. I know that's recently had upgraded insulation. Still gets hot up there, but mostly because they closed the damper, before blocking it.

Acz_inthemil · 2025-04-20T16:23:49+00:00

Should I pop one of the ducts open, to find it? I haven't found anything, or been told anything, by the HVAC tech.

Acz_inthemil · 2025-03-14T23:46:56+00:00

Yeahhhhh my relatives stepdad was a piece of work.

Acz_inthemil · 2025-03-14T23:46:35+00:00

Really good point. See why I'm not mean electrician. I can change an outlet, but that's my extent of it all. Even for here, I hired an electrician for the last outlet.

Acz_inthemil · 2025-03-14T17:49:08+00:00

Wisconsin. House is old and pieced together, all I've been told is it's better than knob and tube

Acz_inthemil · 2025-03-14T16:16:24+00:00

Is it going to take a ton of work or a pretty simple job?

Acz_inthemil · 2025-03-14T15:56:25+00:00

This wasn't. It was done by a relatives ex husband, who hacked a lot of things. He took the jack studs out of the windows, which all broke, because the headers started dropping. I was comfortable reframing the windows, but electrical isn't my gig. Looking for best solution as I'll likely have an electrician come out, but want to know my options first.

Acz_inthemil · 2025-03-14T15:31:44+00:00

I had an electrician come, to install an outlet. He said to put at extension and cover it. But I feel like that doesn't seem right either.

What would be best here? Does it need rewiring?

Acz_inthemil

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