32w cfl light keeps tripping circuit breaker

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?

What kind of socket. Did you wire it or a plug in one.

I wired a $5 light socket to a 16 gauge cord I snipped the end off

Kimjonun said:

I wired a $5 light socket to a 16 gauge cord I snipped the end off

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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.

Short

its equipment failure somewhere. ide go back to the work you did wiring it.

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

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.

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.

Rule #1 of Electricity: If you don't know what you're doing, don't do it.

As stated above, you have a short circuit.

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.

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.

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.

StellerKeller said:

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

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Actually there's a lot to be said for pre-made stuff. Plug it in, and off you go.

I've grown with CFL's, I was happy with what happened in veg, bud the buds were light and airy.