Light and fan double switch trips GFCI.

[Anonymous]

I recently had my 1964 house outlets upgraded to GFCI. But now when I turn the light or fan on in the bathroom it trips the GFCI breaker. The bathroom switch is a double - one operates the light, the other operates the fan. However, the GFCI outlet in the bathroom works fine. Any ideas?

[Wgoodrich]

Open the fan and unplug both fan and light inside the fan. If it still trips look for a short between the white wire and bare wire of that circuit between the switch and fan box.

Good Luck

Wg

[Anonymous]

Thanks, I'll have a look tonight.
I am a complete novice at this - what does a short look like?

[Wgoodrich]

White wire are not supposed to be touching bare wires. This would be a shortted wire. Often times this happens by being shoved into a box touching without that person noticing or a romex connector too tight cutting into the insulation of a wire causing connection between that insulated wire and the bare wire.

Good Luck

Wg