electrical help needed: i think i killed my bathroom lights

[vexingv]

was adding a new socket with 2 switches to replace an old one that had 1 switch and an outlet. i wired the lights and checked to see if they worked and they did. then proceeded to wire the new bathroom fan. put it together, tried switching the breaker and it wouldnt stay in the on position. went back and changed the wiring and this time flipped the breaker and heard a slight pop and the breaker flipped off. so i took the last set of wires off, but stupidly left it exposed and near the switch contact and when i flipped the breaker sparks flew and the switch was charred. there was also so smoldering/smoke from the switch and the breaker. so i put back the old switch with the old wiring, but now the lights in the bathroom doesnt work neither does the outlet on the switch either. all other circuits controlled by that breaker still work (living room, foyer), so its isolated in the bathroom.

short of sending in an electrician, how can i attempt to deduce this problem? what could be wrong? (i'm thinking maybe the bathroom light fixture got fried, but i obviously dont know much about electrical wiring)

thanks

cliff notes:
tried wiring new switch
lights worked
then wired fan, but breaker didnt go
rewired, heard some pops
took off some wires, flipped breaker --> discharge, sparks ---> charred switch
put back old switch and old wiring ---> bathroom lights dont work (bulbs fine)

 

[Kelemvor]

If you don't have some sort of book or something to walk you through how to do a 3-way switch, then I'd have someone come in and do it for you.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: vexingv
i'm thinking maybe the bathroom light fixture got fried

sounds logical

 

[vexingv]

its not a 3 way switch, just a light switch with 2 switches. i think my dad is going to stop by suggesting that we test to see if theres any voltage/current going through that junction. mentioned some screwdriver-like thingmagingie that lights up on a hot wire. i know i should have maybe gootten some help or an electrician, but its sort of my dads fault since he told me to just "experiment" with it and even belittling me about it.

 

[element]

"but i obviously dont know much about electrical wiring"

It's always a good idea to fvck with high voltage/current that could cause injury or a fire when you have no idea what you're doing.

that's how you learn......or die.

in your case it's probably the latter.

Think it might be a good idea to figure out how it all works before attempting to mess with it? It looks like you're guessing at what you're supposed to do.

please use the exposed wiring to give your feeble brain some electroshock therapy.

and how are we supposed to help you figure out what to do if we don't know what the details are on how everyhting is supposed to be connected and how you connected it?

here's what to do given the info you gave:
1. hire someone who knows what they're doing
2. stop posting
3. negative profit, but at least you didn't burn the house down.

 

[Evadman]

I agree 100% with element. Before anyone disagrees with element and myself,, I have wired an entire house top to bottom and a few basements. From 220v to low voltage. I am not a licenced electriction however.

Anyway, All bathrooms are supposed to be on a GFCI circuit. Check all the GFCI outlets in your house, one is tripped. It is common for an entire bacthroom to be wired to a GFCI on the other side of the house. For example, the GFCI that controls all the exterior outlets in my '1980 built home is in my upstairs bathroom.

If you don't know what a GFCI outlet is, they are the outlets with the black and red "reset/Test" buttons on them. I recomend after you figoure which one it was, you get someone who knows WTF they are doing to do your wiring.

If you are gonna do it yourself, get a damn book, and have someone else available in the home to give you CPR. It only takes a quarter of an amp to kill you, and up to 10,000 are avalable at your outlet (assuming a failed braker)

On that note, whatever breaker is protecting that circuit may now be compromised. Have the electricion replace it with a new one, as they are only about $8 each. You could have it tested, but that is usualy more than $8.

 

[db]

OP, you should step away from the bathroom and let a pro or someone experienced do it. Not worth someone getting hurt or burning your house down.