It sound like you have a partial ground from a pinched or nicked wire. This would draw a large amount of current but not enough to trip the breaker. If the switch is overheating I would suspect the partial ground is in the load side of the circuit after the switch.
Why did my light switch melt?
Arcing occurs when wires don’t make a strong connection with terminals inside the switch plate. When you turn on the switch, sparks can ignite the plastic switch plate, resulting in smoking, melting, and burning.
Why does a switch melt?
Usually when a switch melts, it’s due to a poor wire connection to it. I recommend replacing those wire terminals. When you do so, cut the wires back until there are clean, untarnished, un-oxidized wire strands. If that’s not happening, then replace the wire(s) with new hi-temperature wire of a suitable ampacity.
Can a light switch cause a fire?
Question: How does a light switch cause fire? Answer: The terminals can very slowly loosen, causing resistance at the point of connection. This causes heat, which can start a fire. Connections internal to the switch can also degrade over time, doing the same thing.
What does a hot light switch mean?
Warm light switches are a sign that too much electricity is running through them.
What would cause an electrical outlet to melt?
Outlets burn and melt due to internal sparking or overheated wires. Left unfixed, you could end up with a house fire, broken appliance, or severe injury. Many homeowners can confidently replace an electrical outlet as a DIY project, but in this case you may have wiring damage that requires professional repair.
What can cause wires to melt?
Quote from the video:
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How do you fix a hot light switch?
You might need to replace the dimmer switch with one of a higher rating. If the dimmer switch has a plastic or trim plate, they may be causing the excessive heat. Replace them with metal, which dissipates heat better than plastic. You can reduce the load on the switch by changing the bulbs to a lower wattage.
How hot is too hot for a light switch?
In general, if the switch is too hot to touch for more than a second, it’s probably too hot. Underwriter’s Laboratory (U.L.) allows a maximum operation temperature of 195F for dimmer switches. But the average dimmer operates much lower, at approximately 140F.
Can light switches go bad?
A wall switch is a mechanical device with moving parts that gets thousands of uses over the course of its lifespan, so it’s no surprise that switches eventually wear out and go bad.
What causes light switches to fail?
In many cases, a switch will fail to operate correctly because wire connections—either circuit splices inside the electrical box, or wires connected to the switch itself—have become loose, preventing the circuit current from following its designated path.
Do you need an electrician to change light switch?
Do I need an electrician to replace a light switch? No. If you’re replacing a broken light switch or a like-for-like one, it’s a simple task that only requires you to know how to safely isolate the circuit and some basic tools.
