![]() ![]() Light Switch: A standard single-pole, single-throw wall switch.Electrical Tape: Standard black electrical tape for wrapping wires.Wire Strippers: A set of wire strippers.Voltage Tester: A simple, non-contact voltage tester.Screwdrivers: Both flat and Phillips head.If the hot wire is white, it should be wrapped with black electrical tape to indicate that it’s functioning as a hot wire. Hot wires in a house are usually color-coded black or red, with neutral wires white, and ground wires bare or green but under certain conditions, the hot wire to a switch may be white as well. Switches work by controlling the flow of electrical current in the hot wire, with power coming in through the wire attached to the bottom of the switch and going out to a light or other electrical device through the wire attached to the top. Lighted Magnifying Glass That Stays Put.Single vs Double Vs Triple Pane Windows.For light switch help by a certified electrician, call us at 85. We’re also open during the coronavirus pandemic, keeping our customers safe with social distancing and PPE. Our team of certified, licensed electricians assist customers throughout Southern California. Contact Express Electrical ServicesĪ premier electrical services company in Los Angeles, we’re familiar with all possible light switch issues and provide professional light switch repair and replacement. In any case, an overheated switch is a fire hazard and should be replaced. Loose wire connections can cause switches to be warm too. Also, the switch may not be rated for the application and be overloaded, so should be replaced with one that can handle a higher current. A warm switch means there’s an issue with electrical flow. While a dimmer switch may feel warm as it dissipates heat, a typical toggle-type switch should always feel cool. The effect of dimming sometimes causes vibration in a bulb’s filament, so check the bulb first. Dimmer switches may buzz because of the design of dimmable light bulbs. NoiseĪ buzzing, sizzling, or popping sound from a light switch can be due to a loose wire or switch problem. However, if the spark is large, makes a sound you can distinctly hear, or is accompanied by smoke, this is due to light switch problems that must be addressed immediately. Electricity normally arcs between the contacts as they move apart. Tiny sparks can often be seen when you turn a light switch off. ![]() Other times, the fuse or breaker might just need to be changed. If there isn’t anything wrong around the electrical panel, a malfunctioning switch may need to be replaced. The issue isn’t always with the breaker or fuse. It’s not always easy to tie a tripped breaker or fuse burnout to a problem with a single switch. Many people pass off a flickering bulb as no big deal, but oftentimes there is a clear reason why this is happening. The bulb may need to be tightened or there may be a loose wire connected to the bulb or the switch. Flickering LightsĪ light bulb may flicker at random or when you walk by. Light switch replacement should always be handled by a professional, as doing it yourself risks shock and injury. Signs of mechanical failure include the switch not turning on regardless of how many times you flip it. If there are any mechanical issues, the switch will likely need to be replaced. Light switch issues are often caused by a broken mechanism. Even if the issue occurs sporadically, a loose connection or short circuit may be to blame. The electrical contacts may not be making the connections they’re supposed to. If there’s a delay between when you flip the switch and the light turns on or off, or the light flickers before staying on, parts inside the switch are wearing out. ![]() Here are some of the most common problems to help realize when there’s an issue with a wall switch and when it’s time to call a professional electrical contractor. Underlying issues or a defective light switch itself can contribute to something as bad as a home fire. However, a bad light switch can indicate if there are other electrical issues, such as a wiring problem. A malfunctioning light switch often doesn’t seem like a big deal. ![]()
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