Dodgy light switch

[Janice]

Hi hoping for a little bit of advice. My light switch in the kitchen is playing up. When switched off the lights keep flicking and in the switch I can sometimes see a little light. Do you think moisture has got into the switch?

 

[buzzlightyear]

hello and welcome ,the possibility that the switch might have a lose conductor in the terminal but if you get a local spark in to have a look at it .

 

[westward10]

If it is flickering when in the off position the switch would appear to be failing for some reason. Can you see it lighting within the switch?

 

[static zap]

Have you changed anything recently.
(Ie fitted 2 LED lamp replacements ?)

 

[Marvo]

If you can see what looks like sparking inside the switch when the lights are off then I'd just replace the switch. They're usually really cheap to buy and you could possibly do it yourself if you find a similar switch and turn the power off at the main switch in the CU before you start. If you remove the old switch from the wall and the wiring looks too daunting then just put it back and call your favourite electrician, it shouldn't take him/her more than a few minutes to sort out.

 

[Janice]

If it is flickering when in the off position the switch would appear to be failing for some reason. Can you see it lighting within the switch?

Hi thank you for the reply. Occasionally I can see a light in the switch. Then it stops and doesn’t happen for ages!
[automerge]1576884964[/automerge]

If you can see what looks like sparking inside the switch when the lights are off then I'd just replace the switch. They're usually really cheap to buy and you could possibly do it yourself if you find a similar switch and turn the power off at the main switch in the CU before you start. If you remove the old switch from the wall and the wiring looks too daunting then just put it back and call your favourite electrician, it shouldn't take him/her more than a few minutes to sort out.

Thank you. You’ve eased me mind a bit! Not sure I’ll try it myself but I’ll find someone who can!

 

[Marvo]

I know it's probably just a minor annoyance but I'd suggest you get it fixed. If the switch is arcing in the off position it will probably fail sometime soon and it will also likely cause premature lamp (bulb) failure in the kitchen lights. Also arcing faults of any kind can be a fire hazard but don't panic, on a low current circuit like your kitchen lights it's not very likely but for peace of mind I'd rather you didn't ignore it.

 

[Megawatt]

If you can see what looks like sparking inside the switch when the lights are off then I'd just replace the switch. They're usually really cheap to buy and you could possibly do it yourself if you find a similar switch and turn the power off at the main switch in the CU before you start. If you remove the old switch from the wall and the wiring looks too daunting then just put it back and call your favourite electrician, it shouldn't take him/her more than a few minutes to sort out.

I’ve got to agree with Marvo it’s just a bad light switch I had one yesterday at a customers home do as Marvo about cutting the power off. Good luck