UPB switch shorted out

[robolo]

Just installed a new Simply Automated switch (the 30th I have installed) controlling a 120 watt lamp load. After just 10 minutes the switch shorted out. Upon removing it it looks like there was a short between the brown load wire and the case (ground) which burned through the wire itself (see picture). Although it no longer controls the load it still seemed to be working (indicator light changing from on to off and slight normal buzzing noise).

My thinking is there was a small defect in the brown wire insulation which led to the short. Would you recommmend (1) try to get replacement from Simply Automated, (2) try to reconnect the switch from the remaining brown wire and see if it really does still work, (3) or something else?

 

[electron]

I would definitely try to get it replaced.

 

[ano]

Replace.

 

[Lagerhead]

Replace.

Not only for your own safety, but because they need to know.

 

[briankelly63]

Replace.

Both... I'd be curious to see if it still works. So I'd try to get the replacement and reconnect, on a test bench, the remaining length of wire...

 

[BLH]

It wasn't pinched under the mounting screw or box edge was it?
The way it blew open almost looks like it was pinched and worked through the insulation and shorted to the box ground.

 

[robolo]

It wasn't pinched under the mounting screw or box edge was it?
The way it blew open almost looks like it was pinched and worked through the insulation and shorted to the box ground.

BLH, I think you get a gold star!! It certainly looks that way to me as well. Although I didn't realize it at the time of installation. Do you think Simply Automated would deny a replacement due to "operator error"?

 

[BLH]

I don't know about them replacing the switch; as I have never dealt with them.
Right now I am still using Insteon and a small amount of X10 stuff.

 

[xcl223]

Yeah, you shorted that switch and blew the Triac or a trace on the Pc board in that dimmer. If SAI replaces that then they are a really good company. They really shouldn't have to as it is obvious that is a dead short to ground that caused the failure. Unfortunately, a characteristic of most smaller dimmers is that the Triac will fail before the circuit breaker blows. That is one of the reasons they tell you not to wire them hot. I've done a few in, in my time. One I destroyed by changing a light bulb, I didn't realize that I was twisting the bulb off the base until the leads touched and blew the dimmer (the lights were on).

 

[samgreco]

SAI is a great company to deal with. But I wouldn't expect them to replace it if you shorted it.

But I would consider sending it to them to have them verify it. I would bet they would tell you exactly what happened. And I'm sure, from prior dealing with them on a warranty item, they WILL be honest with you.

 

[samgreco]

Oh, and it looks to me like you pinched it too.

 

[robolo]

For closure on this topic....

I can now say that Simply Automated is a great company too. I called and spoke with tech support person and described what had happened INCLUDING the fact that I probably caused the short myself during installation. I asked him if there would be any worry with just trying to still use the switch. His reply was that he would just swap out the switch for me and avoid having to worry about it at all.

Since they are only a few miles away from me I'll take a trip up there tomorrow and get the switch replaced. Problem solved !!

robolo

 

[Xpendable]

Since they are only a few miles away from me I'll take a trip up there tomorrow and get the switch replaced. Problem solved !!

I wish I lived that close to Automated Outlet!

I installed an Insteon switch last week and everything was working good before I put the cover plate on. (I always test the switch before I put it in the box and again before I put the cover plate on, switching the power off & on between each step). When I went to put the cover plate on, I noticed that I need to tighten one of the switch screws a few more turns so that the cover plate would be snug against the wall. So I went ahead and did that without turning the power off. I turned the screw 2 full turns and the screw worked its way into the back of the neutral wire nut. There was an immediate "ZOOOOOLT" sound for about 2-3 seconds and a bright blue glow behind the switch, followed by a little bit of smoke. Scared the heck out of me. It was only a momentary short, but the screw actually welded to the gang box. When I turned the power off and tried to back out the screw, the head of the screw just popped off! Had to drill it out. The wire nut was all scorched, but other than that, there was no apparent damage. I trimmed off the burnt wire and used a new wire nut. The Insteon switch was unscathed. Now I'm putting electrical tape on the back of the wire nuts and making dang sure that the screws are not going to work their way into them!