I was installing track lighting in my kitchen this evening when I encountered a problem. Wiring from the ceiling was white, black and Red. Naturally I connected white with white, black with black, and I assume(d) that red was some sort of ground. I then connected the red with the green from the light (ground I assumed again).

When I turned the power on again, sparks flew and tripped the breaker. I then disconnected the red/green wire, and the light turned on no problem....at least I thought. The switch no longer works, so I can only turn the light on and off with the breaker.

Is this a major problem, or is it just the switch I blew. Also, what do I do with the red switch...is it for anything?

The red wire is usually used with a 3-way switch, so it would also be hot. You need to investigate the wiring at the switch(es) to get as better idea of how they are wired.

Are you replacing the existing light with the track lighting or adding additional lighting?

Is the light switched by 2 (or more) switches?

Post again with the answers and the wiring scheme in the switches.

The light switch actually does not have a 3 way switch..

I am replacing the existing light with the track lighting.

On the switch itself, the black and red wires are hooked up to the switch.

Let me know if that helps.

Dear jhami:

The application you described sounds like what some of us in the trade call a "feed through", the black and the white wires were already spiced to another set of white and black wires correct? (I'm assuming they are)
Just splice the black wire of the track lighting to the red wire and make sure the power is of before you do this. Then restore power and the switch should work the lights.
Let us know how this works out.