Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - What did I do wrong with my mercury vapor light?

I just installed a new outside mercury vapor light. I used a 14/3 wire, I connected the white with white, the black with black, ground with ground. There was an extra red wire which I did not use, I don't think this should matter but I've seen stranger things happen. I connected the wire from the light to an outside breaker box with a 15amp 2pole breaker, connected the white to the top of the breaker, black to the bottom of the breaker and ground to the ground. When I flicked the breaker the light worked for about 10 seconds, the bulbs is now blowed and the wires where smoking inside the lamp itself. I not sure what I done wrong but I don't want to get a new light and have the same thing happen. Any information would be very helpful?

Thanks, Phil

Phil, forgive me for being blunt here, but you're obviously shooting from the hip without adequate preparation. In electrical work, this can be extremely dangerous. Please read a few books on home wiring before doing anything further.

You connected 240 volts to a 120 volt fixture. You're lucky this bulb didn't explode in your face.

You didn't need a double-pole breaker. A single-pole breaker would have been more appropriate. And you didn't need 14/3. 14/2 would have been more appropriate.

Move the white wire off the breaker and onto the neutral bus where it belongs. Continue to not use the red wire.

John,
The person starting this thread did not mention whether the mercury vapor light had a photocell. In my 120 volt units there is a red wire going to the photocell and on to the ballast.
Farwell