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Need help with short in circuit shadowmica 05-14-2008
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Posted by shadowmica on May 14, 2008, 10:58 am
I have a outdoor light pole that has recently been blowing the circuit
breaker when turned on.

I replaced the light socket in the pole and it still does it.

I isolated the wires that go out to the pole from inside and hooked a
OHM meter up to the wires.

I have continuity between the black wire and the bare copper wire.

Between the White and copper and black and white I have no
continuity.

I pulled the bulb out of the socket and still have a connection
between the black and the copper.

Is this right or is it telling me I have a short some where in that
wire from the house to the pole.

I would like to know before I dig that wire up and replace it, that's
going to be a big job.

Any other thoughts of what it could be would also be helpful.

Thanks,

Posted by hallerb@aol.com on May 14, 2008, 11:09 am
> I have a outdoor light pole that has recently been blowing the circuit
> breaker when turned on.
>
> I replaced the =EF=BF=BDlight socket in the pole and =EF=BF=BDit still doe=
s it.
>
> I isolated the wires that go out to the pole from inside and hooked a
> OHM meter up to the wires.
>
> I have continuity between the black wire and the bare copper wire.
>
> Between the White and copper and black and white =EF=BF=BDI have no
> continuity.
>
> I pulled the bulb out of the socket and still have a connection
> between the black and the copper.
>
> Is this right or is it telling me I have a short some where in that
> wire from the house to the pole.
>
> I would like to know before I dig that wire up and replace it, that's
> going to be a big job.
>
> Any other thoughts of what it could be would also be helpful.
>
> Thanks,

yeah theres a short.

does your pole light have a light sensor? for auot off on in darkness?

just disconnect all wires in pole light, the black and white ones, and
check resistance again.

if its still shorted get out your shovel:(

hopefully the socket is bad.

Posted by Tony Hwang on May 14, 2008, 11:12 am
shadowmica wrote:
> I have a outdoor light pole that has recently been blowing the circuit
> breaker when turned on.
>
> I replaced the light socket in the pole and it still does it.
>
> I isolated the wires that go out to the pole from inside and hooked a
> OHM meter up to the wires.
>
> I have continuity between the black wire and the bare copper wire.
>
> Between the White and copper and black and white I have no
> continuity.
>
> I pulled the bulb out of the socket and still have a connection
> between the black and the copper.
>
> Is this right or is it telling me I have a short some where in that
> wire from the house to the pole.
>
> I would like to know before I dig that wire up and replace it, that's
> going to be a big job.
>
> Any other thoughts of what it could be would also be helpful.
>
> Thanks,
Hmmm,
White is neutral which is tied to ground(copper). But it maybe thru GFCI.

Posted by Mikepier on May 14, 2008, 11:15 am
Sounds like you have a short between the black and copper wire. You
can cheat by twisting the copper and black wires together at each end,
then using that twisted pair and the white wire for 110V. the only
problem is now you don't have a ground going out to the light pole.
One way to get around that is to put a GFI switch/outlet combo where
the switch is, or perhaps a GFI breaker for the whole circuit.

Posted by hallerb@aol.com on May 14, 2008, 11:27 am
> Sounds like you have a short between the black and copper wire. You
> can cheat by twisting the copper and black wires together at each end,
> then using that twisted pair and the white wire for 110V. the only
> problem is now you don't have a ground going out to the light pole.
> One way to get around that is to put a GFI switch/outlet combo where
> the switch is, or perhaps a GFI breaker for the whole circuit.

i would be concerned with why the wire shorted, many pole light wiring
is too shallow not buried properly.

if its shallow and got damaged somehow it could be a shock hazard and
would likely trip a GFCI

Page 1 of 3       1 2 3 > last >>
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