Lights Keeps Burning Out

[Cody Evans]

Hi fixers,

I hired a handyman to do my electrical and am sure this issue will reoccur again during the future. What I had the handyman do was rewirse 2 sepearate lights into one. Its a 120V circuit. I replaced the dimmer light switch myself but flipped it upside down so my roommates could have it go up and down in the way the other switches in the house are. The new led light installed that morning burnt out. We though lt it was a defective light and so we got the same one again at home depot. In 2 weeks the light burned out again. 

Any ideas on why this would happen and other situations where mt bad electrical work will mess up other parts of the house? I am trying to become more handy for my flips but cant have things blowing out all the time. Could it just be the model of light?

[Charlie MacPherson]

@Cody Evans It could be that the neutral is floating.  That can cause an over-voltage condition - meaning that everything on that circuit and possibly others is at risk.

Oh yes - it can also burn the place down if the over-voltage causes an electrical fire.

Quick check - get a voltmeter at the hardware store.  Set it to measure AC voltage.  The reading should be 117 volts, +/-5%.  

Next, get a receptacle tester.  These plug into outlets to indicate faults like reverse wiring, open grounds and dead outlets. 

The best bet is to get a licensed electrician to look at it.  Pronto.