Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Diverted; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
En route; copilot heard popping noise followed by white smoke coming out of the cabin lighting controller in the cockpit. I grabbed the checklist for smoke in the cockpit and determined that amount of smoke was insufficient to don the oxygen mask and goggles. The screen would only spark and emit smoke when moved. I [requested priority handling] and asked for a descent and a vector to the nearest suitable airport. ATC gave us a descent and told us to proceed direct ZZZ. We ran all appropriate checklist for our descent and landing. We transfer controls from the copilot to me and the landing was without incident. We taxied off the runway to the south ramp as directed by the Tower. Emergency personnel met the airplane and determined that no emergency actions were needed.
En route to ZZZ1 during cruise phase of flight; I heard a popping noise and observed sparks and smoke coming from wires in the cabin lighting controller screen. Name (Pilot Monitoring) [requested priority handling] while I (Pilot Flying) initiated an immediate descent as instructed by ATC. The screen would only emit sparks and smoke when touched or moved; and we determined that the small amount of smoke was not necessary for us to don oxygen masks and smoke goggles. During the descent; Name completed the 'Smoke/Fire/Fumes' checklist and we were vectored to ZZZ for the straight in Runway XX visual approach. Prior to the approach; Name and I transferred controls; as we were in an overweight landing condition; and I completed the approach and landing checklists. The landing and taxi were without incident.
CL-605 flight crew reported the Cabin Light Controller failed and began to emit sparks and smoke. The flight crew descended and diverted to make a precautionary landing.