Whe I turned on the 5 can lighting fixtures in the kitchen this
morning, a light flashed and then all of them went dead.  I have
checked each bulb one by one and have tried replacing the switches (1
3-way and a second 3-way dimmer).  There appears to be power reaching
the switches because each share live wires with adjacent switches
which control other lights which still work perfectly.  Can anyone
help?

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Request for Question Clarification by ozguru-ga on 28 Sep 2002 22:49 PDT

Dear katze,

I am not sure if I have interpreted the circuit correctly. Is it
something like this:

     ----A---SW--B--Dimmer-----C--L1--L2--L3--L4--L5
              |       |
              |       |
           To other working circuits

If so the problem sounds like it could have been a short (which then
opened) at point C.

Are they incandescent lights ie low voltage halogens may have a common
faulty transformer... Or fluorescents may have a common faulty ballast
or starter?

Due to the danger of electrocution, many countries require a licensed
electrician to perform this type of troubleshooting and repair. An
electrician would use a multimeter to establish continuity of the
circuit at various points such as A B and C.

Regards,