How can we help your property’s electrical system in Massachusetts? Crowe Electric proudly provides countless electrical services for jobs big and small, so call us today for information.
Are you interested in learning how to tell if a light switch is bad? You’ve come to the perfect place! In this guide, our team will discuss why light switches stop working, the common signs of a bad switch, and how to test your light switch using a multimeter device.
Once you’ve learned more, reach out to Crowe Electric, a trusted electrician in Marshfield, MA, for all of your home electrical needs.
Why Do Light Switches Go Bad?
Light switches naturally wear down over time. Their internal components can’t function forever, meaning you will eventually need to replace your light switches, though it isn’t a frequent occurrence.
Since light switches last a long time, many homeowners don’t give replacing them a second thought until something finally goes wrong — for example, problems with the moving parts, damage to the cover plate, or a lack of lighting.
Like with other electrical issues, it’s a good idea to leave electrical replacements and repairs to trained and licensed electricians in your area. They understand far more than just basic electrical safety, so you don’t need to get hurt or accidentally damage your property.
Four Signs That Your Light Switch Has Gone Bad
If you suspect it’s finally time to replace your light switch, you’re likely to notice some telltale clues along the way. After you replace old light bulbs, your switches may still fail to operate. Contact an electrician for professional light switch replacement if any of the following scenarios apply to you.
1. Your Light Switch Feels Warm
Warm or hot light switches are not typical and tell you replacement is necessary. You could have a tiny bit of warmth and have no problems, but a hot switch is concerning.
2. The Switch Is Producing Large Sparks
Curious about how to tell if a light switch is bad? Sparks or popping clearly show that your light switch is experiencing problems. While a tiny spark every so often isn’t an issue, large, snapping sparks are.
When these sparks accompany burning smells or marks, you should keep away from the switch and nearby outlets. Having an electrician perform inspections and replacements is the safest and most logical route to pursue. Working with electrical wires without experience is dangerous.
3. Your Lights Don’t Always Work
Does your light fixture flicker, fail to turn on, or only turn on occasionally when you flip the switch? This isn’t normal behavior for a functional light switch.
4. You Hear Loud Noises
Light switches shouldn’t make noise, besides the physical sound of flipping the switch. If you notice buzzing or any other type of noise, this is a clear indicator something is amiss and that you’ll need to replace the bad switch.
Testing a Light Switch With a Multimeter
Electricians and other professionals often use multimeters to see if your switch is truly bad. You must feel confident with rewiring and shutting off your circuit breaker before proceeding, so don’t attempt this test if you feel uncomfortable. The steps for testing your light switch are as follows:
- Shut off power to your circuit breaker and remove the light switch cover.
- Set your multimeter on the Ohms or Continuity setting.
- Verify that the power is off using your device.
- See which type of light switch you have (single-pole or three-way) and proceed accordingly. For single-pole switches, place each multimeter lead on either side of the terminal, then turn the switch. A reading of “one” should occur. For three-way switches, place one multimeter lead to the common screw and the other to one traveler. Verify that you have a reading of one, then follow the same process with the remaining travelers.
- Determine if the switch is bad and pursue replacement if so.
Contact Crowe Electric To Swap Out Bad Light Switches and Receive Top-Notch Electrical Services in Norwell, Massachusetts!
If you still don’t know how to tell if a light switch is bad or would like assistance with lighting issues at your property, the electrical professionals at Crowe Electric are happy to help. We can replace your home’s electrical system and provide a variety of helpful and affordable electrical services to residents of Norwell, MA, and the surrounding areas. Don’t hesitate to reach out for services or if you have any questions.
Interested in scheduling services from Crowe Electric in Norwell, MA? Call our friendly team today at 781-678-8266.