This is just basic redstoning. This is caused by the redstone torch powering the block strongly, and then that block powers the redstone wire, repeater that is facing away from the block, lamp, piston, etc... You can put the torch on the side of a block, put redstone on top of the block that the torch is attached to, and then put a block on top of that torch and it will create what we call a rapid pulser. However, the torch will burn out after about 4 seconds or so. To prevent it from burning out you just simply connect a bunch of rapid pulsers together and they will all burn out at different times, but one will always be creating the pulse.

Anyway, any redstone item that is next to a powered block like that will be powered. Blocks that this does not work with include glass, glowstone, furnaces, leaves, slabs, blocks like enchantment tables and end portal frames, chests, cactuses, stairs, tnt, and any other block that is not a SOLID block.

Oh, did you use the preset "redstone ready" ? Because that could be why :)