Light switches seldom command any attention until they don’t work. We turn them on and off, day after day, assuming they last forever. Until the day you flip the switch, and it doesn’t work the way it is supposed to or not at all. So how do you know if it’s time to replace your light switch? Sometimes it’s easy- you hear a pop when you switch the light on, or you put a new bulb in the light, but it still doesn’t come on. Other indicators may not be quite as obvious. The following are indicators that you need to call an electrician to replace your light switch.
- You have a temperamental light fixture. If you have a light fixture that is inconsistent, sometimes it comes on right away, sometimes it will flicker before turning on, or it turns off right away, you may have a light switch issue. If replacing the lightbulb does not fix the issue, then you may have a connection problem, and you need a new switch
- Sparks when you flip the switch. Although occasional small sparks are a signal of load arc, large sparks with noise are definitely an issue. If you experience loud snaps with arcing, it may be a signal that your light switch is bad and needs to be replaced.
- Your light switch is noisy. A properly functioning light switch will not make any noise. So, if you hear popping sounds, or buzzing, or any other type of noise coming from your switch, there is a problem.
- Your light switch is warm when you touch it. Dimmer switches that have been on for a long while can feel warm when you turn them off, and this is not unusual. However, when you touch a standard toggle switch and find that it is warm, you have a bad switch that should be replaced.
Although replacing a bad light switch seems easy, a professional electrician has the expertise to understand electrical load issues, wiring age, and other wiring issues that can lead to a DIY disaster. The highly-trained technicians at Nipper Electric can help. Simply give us a call at 757-842-1710 or fill out our online form.
