32w cfl light keeps tripping circuit breaker

Kimjonun

Kimjonun

New Member
I bought 6 32 watt 6500k cool white bulbs, with some 16 gauge cords from Walmart and some light sockets. I plugged in a single light which tripped my 15 amp circuit breaker. I then tried in my garage which didn't trip the breaker but burnt the cords tongs. I then tried attaching 2 lights which is 64 watts to the cord into a power strip which didn't work either. I think it's because I have too much power but how can I resolve this problem?
 
whitebb2727

whitebb2727

Well-Known Member
Kimjonun said:
I wired a $5 light socket to a 16 gauge cord I snipped the end off
Click to expand...

Did you reverse polarity when you wired it? If you have hot and neutral backwards it will pop and spark when you plug it in.

It has to be wires wrong or a bad socket.
 
Kimjonun

Kimjonun

New Member
It's probably reverse polarized wires or the sockets are shitty because they worked fine with a lamp.
 
C

churchhaze

Well-Known Member
It's a short. Recheck the wiring. Try another bulb.

If you're tripping a 15A breaker and burning the conductors, you shouldn't be looking for other places to plug into.
 
SnapsProvolone

SnapsProvolone

Well-Known Member
There is no "polarity" with alternating current. Just a hot and a neutral, but there is really little difference, neutral is just hot post load headed back to the xfmr.
 
whitebb2727

whitebb2727

Well-Known Member
Its not lime DC with a + and -.

There is polarity, hence polarized outlets and plugs.

Is it really polarity, no.

To tell some one with no electrical background it doesn't matter is dangerous.

Will an appliance run if you reverse the hot and neutral? Yes.

Is it right? No.

Hot to hot, neutral to neutral.

I hate moving into a house where someone replaced outlets and didn't pay attention to how they were wired.
 
whitebb2727

whitebb2727

Well-Known Member
Sorry let me say that everyone above is right. Short.

I was just harping on paying attention to how things are wired.

Snaps knows his stuff.

I wasn't saying its not a short.

I was getting at double check you work and disconnect wires and start over and make sure everything is hooked up right.
 
S

StellerKeller

Active Member
I like to grow with CFLs because it is safe. I guess when you start rewiring then the whole safety thing is up for grabs. I use lots of surge protectors, I don't plug more than two lights into any extension cords, and I use low wattage bulbs.

If I had confidence in my ability to electrical engineer, I'd be using 1,000 watt systems.
 
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